Applications are now open for the 2025 Ensemble Theatre Sandra Bates Director’s Awards.

The two successful applicants will each be offered a paid position of Assistant Director on two of our mainstage productions in 2025.

Ensemble Theatre welcomes applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people from diverse cultural backgrounds, people with disability, refugee status and members of the LGBTQIA+ community.

Submissions close 5pm Sunday 15 September 2024.

+ READ THE SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

2024 RECIPIENTS

We’re thrilled to announce Julia Robertson and Miranda Middleton as the 2024 recipients of the Ensemble Theatre Sandra Bates Director’s Awards.

PREVIOUS RECIPIENTS

2023: Emma Canalese and Margaret Thanos

2022: Sophie Kelly and Danielle Maas

2021: Rachel Chant, Warwick Doddrell and Ursula Yovich

2020: Rachel Chant and Warwick Doddrell

2019: Adam Deusien and Erin Taylor

2018: Liz Arday and Felicity Nicol

2017: Shaun Rennie and Francesca Savige

2016: Priscilla Jackman and Janine Watson

Supported by Jinnie and Ross Gavin.

Ensemble Theatre aims to give voice to untold stories reflecting Australia’s changing cultural identity, and reinforcing theatre’s relevance as a vehicle for social change. We are committed to commissioning and developing new work, and to ensuring the success of these productions by providing dramaturgical support and creative development.

HOW TO PLOT A HIT IN TWO DAYS
By Melanie Tait
Commissioned 2024 | Script & Creative Development 2024 & 2025 | Produced 2025
This production is made possible by the support of the Commissioners’ Circle.

FLY GIRL
By Genevieve Hegney & Catherine Moore
Commissioned 2024 | Script & Creative Development 2024 & 2025 | Produced 2025
This production is made possible by the support of the Commissioners’ Circle.

UNCLE VANYA
By Anton Chekhov
Adapted by Joanna Murray-Smith
Commissioned by Ensemble’s Literary Fund 2022 | Produced 2024

THE QUEEN’S NANNY
By Melanie Tait
Commissioned 2023 |Script & Creative Development 2024| Produced 2024
This production is made possible by the support of the Commissioners’ Circle.

MCGUFFIN PARK
By Sam O’Sullivan
Commissioned 2023 |Script & Creative Development 2024| Produced 2024
This production is made possible by the support of the Commissioners’ Circle.

SUMMER OF HAROLD
By Hilary Bell
Commissioned 2022 | Script & Creative Development 2023 | Produced 2023

MIDNIGHT MURDER AT HAMLINGTON HALL
By Mark Kilmurry and Jamie Oxenbould
Commissioned 2022 | Script & Creative Development 2023 | Produced 2023

A BROADCAST COUP
By Melanie Tait
Commissioned 2019| Script & Creative Development 2019 | Produced 2023
Supported by Jenny & Guy Reynolds AO, and Diana & George Shirling

BOXING DAY BBQ
By Sam O’Sullivan
Commissioned 2021 | Script & Creative Development 2021/2022 | Produced 2022
Supported by Jenny & Guy Reynolds AO

THE ONE
By Vanessa Bates
Commissioned 2019 | Script & Creative Development 2021/2022 | Produced 2022
Supported by Jane Tham & Philip Maxwell & NSW Government

A DOLL’S HOUSE
By Henrik Ibsen
Adapted by Joanna Murray-Smith
Commissioned 2020 | Produced 2022

A LETTER FOR MOLLY
By Brittanie Shipway
Script & Creative Development 2021/2022 | Produced 2022

UNQUALIFIED 2: STILL UNQUALIFIED
By Genevieve Hegney and Catherine Moore
Commissioned 2019 | Script Development 2019-2022 | Produced 2022

A CHRISTMAS CAROL
By Charles Dickens
Adapted for the stage by Hilary Bell
Commissioned 2019 | Script Development 2020 | Produced 2022
Supported by Charlene & Graham Bradley AM

OUTDATED
By Mark Kilmurry
Commissioned 2019 | Script & Creative Development 2020 | Produced 2021

KILLING KATIE: CONFESSIONS OF A BOOK CLUB
By Tracey Trinder
Play Reading 2018 | Script & Creative Development 2019 | Produced 2021

KENNY
By The Jacobson Brothers
Adapted for the stage by Steve Rodgers
Commissioned 2019 | Script Development 2019 | Produced 2021

BLACK COCKATOO
By Geoffrey Atherden
Play Reading 2015 | Script & Creative Development 2016-19 | Produced 2020
Supported by The Balnaves Foundation, Australia Council for the Arts, NSW Government and Sydney Festival.

THE APPLETON LADIES’ POTATO RACE
By Melanie Tait
Script Development & Creative Development 2018 | Produced 2019
Supported by Jenny & Guy Reynolds

UNQUALIFIED
By Genevieve Hegney & Catherine Moore
Script Development 2018 | Produced 2018

DIPLOMACY
By Cyril Gély
Translation and adaptation by Julie Rose
Commissioned 2017 | Produced 2018
Supported by Jinnie & Ross Gavin

THE PLANT
By Kit Brookman
Ensemble Theatre New Writing Commission 2016 | Produced 2017
Supported by David Williamson

THE BIG DRY
Based on the novel by Tony Davis
Adapted by Mark Kilmurry
Commissioned 2015 | Produced 2016

THE ANZAC PROJECT
By Geoffrey Atherden and Vanessa Bates
Commissioned 2014 | Produced 2015

Rory Potter and Noah Sturzaker in THE BIG DRY. Photo by Clare Hawley

Ever wondered how the cast learn so many lines? Or what really resonates about the play with the director? Join us at one of our post-show Q&A sessions for an engaging conversation about the play. Simply purchase tickets to a Q&A performance and stay in your seats after the show.

2024 Season Q&As

• THE QUEEN’S NANNY
  • Sat 14 Sep, 8.15pm
  • Tue 24 Sep, 11am

• COLDER THAN HERE
  • Thu 26 Sep, 11am
  • Thu 3 Oct, 8.15pm

• MCGUFFIN PARK
  • Tue 5 Nov, 11am
  • Fri 15 Nov, 8pm

• THE HEARTBREAK CHOIR
  • Fri 13 Dec, 8pm
  • Tue 17 Dec, 11am

2025 Season Q&As

• ARIA
  • Tue 11 Feb, 11am
  • Tue 25 Feb, 7:30pm

• THE GLASS MENAGERIE
  • Fri 4 Apr, 7:30pm
  • Tue 8 Apr, 11am

• THE LOVER & THE DUMB WAITER
  • Fri 16 May, 7:30pm
  • Thu 22 May, 11am

• THE HALF-LIFE OF MARIE CURIE
  • Sat 21 June, 8:15pm
  • Tue 1 July, 11am

• PRIMARY TRUST
  • Thu 3 July, 11am
  • Thu 10 July, 8:15pm

• EMERALD CITY
  • Fri 1 Aug, 7:30pm
  • Tue 5 Aug, 11am

• HOW TO PLOT A HIT IN TWO DAYS
  • Fri 5 Sep, 7:30pm
  • Tue 16 Sep, 11am

• TRUE WEST
  • Thu 18 Sep, 11am
  • Thu 25 Sep, 8:15pm

• FLY GIRL
  • Tue 4 Nov, 11am
  • Fri 14 Nov, 7:30pm

• DIAL M FOR MURDER
  • Fri 12 Dec, 7:30pm
  • Tue 16 Dec, 11am

Introduce theatre to the teenager in your life with a free ticket to join you on one of our Free Teen Nights. These are subject to availability and can be booked alongside one adult subscription or single ticket.

2024 Season Free Teen Nights

Wed 28 Aug, 7.30pm UNCLE VANYA

Wed 9 Oct, 6.15pm THE QUEEN’S NANNY

Wed 2 Oct, 6.15pm COLDER THAN HERE

Wed 20 Nov, 7.30pm MCGUFFIN PARK

Wed 8 Jan, 7.30pm THE HEARTBREAK CHOIR

2025 Season Free Teen Nights

Wed 12 Mar 7:30pm ARIA

Wed 23 Apr 7:30pm THE GLASS MENAGERIE

Wed 4 Jun 7:30pm THE LOVER & THE DUMB WAITER

Wed 9 Jul 8:15pm THE HALF-LIFE OF MARIE CURIE

Wed 9 July 6:15pm PRIMARY TRUST

Wed 20 Aug 7:30pm EMERALD CITY

Wed 8 Oct 6:15pm HOW TO PLOT A HIT IN TWO DAYS

Wed 1 Oct 8:15pm TRUE WEST

Wed 19 Nov 7:30pm FLY GIRL

Wed 7 Jan 2026 7:30pm DIAL M FOR MURDER

Ensemble Theatre also supports PLAYWAVE, a program aimed at connecting 15 – 19 year olds with the arts. Along with discounted tickets to our shows, members of PLAYWAVE can access an array of special events and offers across art forms. See playwave.com.au for details.

“The Tracey Trinder Playwright’s Award encourages women writers with a slant on comedy. Tracey was a stage and screenwriter and had a unique voice in the world of comedy. This award honours her name and her commitment to women’s writing.”  Mark Kilmurry, Artistic Director, Ensemble Theatre.

The Tracey Trinder Playwright’s Award recognises an outstanding unproduced comedy written by a woman playwright including a trans and/or gender-diverse playwright.

The award consists of $7,500 prize, a development workshop, and an opportunity for the work to go into full production as part of an upcoming Ensemble Theatre season.

APPLICATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED

CURRENT TOURS

THE QUEEN’S NANNY
By Melanie Tait
Produced 2024
Touring to Illawarra Performing Arts Centre presented by Merrigong Theatre Company
16 – 19 Oct
Click here for more details

PAST TOURS

David Williamson’s
THE GREAT DIVIDE
Produced 2024 | Toured in 2024 to The Pavilion Performing Arts Centre Sutherland

BLACK COCKATOO
By Geoffrey Atherden
Produced 2020 | Toured in 2022 to 24 venues nationwide
Supported by The Balnaves Foundation, Australia Council for the Arts, NSW Government and Arts on Tour

THE APPLETON LADIES’ POTATO RACE
By Melanie Tait
Produced 2019 | Toured 2021 to 13 venues across NSW & ACT
Supported by Australia Council for the Arts, NSW Government, Arts on Tour and Jenny & Guy Reynolds AO

DIPLOMACY
By Cyril Gély
Translation and adaptation by Julie Rose
Produced 2018 | Toured 2019 to 6 venues across NSW and Victoria
Supported by NSW Government, Arts on Tour, Jinnie & Ross Gavin

TWO
By Jim Cartwright
Produced 2017 | Toured 2019 to 25 venues nationwide
Supported by Australia Council for the Arts, NSW Government, Arts on Tour

FRANKENSTEIN
By Mary Shelley
Adapted by Nick Dear
Produced 2013 | Toured 2013 to 26 venues nationwide
Supported by Australia Council for the Arts, NSW Government, Arts on Tour

TUESDAYS WITH MORRIE
By Mitch Albom
Produced 2009 | Toured 2011 to 24 venues nationwide
Drover Award for Touring Excellence
Supported by Australia Council for the Arts, NSW Government, Arts on Tour

SIX DANCE LESSONS IN SIX WEEKS
By Richard Alfieri
Produced 2006 | Toured 2007 to 20 venues nationwide
Helpmann Award for Best Regional Touring Production
Supported by Australia Council for the Arts, NSW Government, Arts on Tour