La Mama Theatre

Back on this week for its final week - BY JANE'S HAND! Don't miss this "sumptuous production that is impressive in its devotion and dedication to the Jane Austen oeuvre." - STAGE WHISPERS

"The sense is one of immersion in a sharp mind flashing by us. And yes, there are endless balls, astute and often acerbic observations on the character and appearance of those she meets, and droll remarks on social pecking order – the stuff of the novels.

"But there are glimpses, too, of another Jane – one who confessed to writing with a hangover, or who was thrown into a panic when, in 1798, she almost lost her writing box (together with her worldly wealth of £7) after it was placed by mistake on a horse-drawn chaise heading for Dover." - THE AGE

By Jane’s Hand is also on the list for VCE Theatre Studies, Unit 4.

📆 Jul 17 - 28
🎟️ Book now: https://lamama.com.au/whats-on/education-2024/by-janes-hand/
📷 Darren Gill

We're thrilled to be bringing back Glenn Shea's award-winning THREE MAGPIES PERCHED IN A TREE this August. This searing yet heartbreaking Indigenous Gothic confronts the difficult reality of juvenile justice work, and is a must-see.

An Aboriginal man from the Stolen Generation works in his community, watching young people who confront the criminal justice system slip through the cracks time and time again. Taken from the lived experience of front-line juvenile justice work, this play grapples with the multitude of obstacles young Aboriginal people face and asks how much difference one man can make in the uphill battle to teach them that, despite what society has told them, their lives and futures matter.

Brought to the stage by award-winning Indigenous creative Glenn Shea & narrated by legendary actor and activist Uncle Jack Charles this play won the 2023 Green Room Award for Best New Writing, received the 2010 State Library of Victoria R.E Ross Trust Development Award and was Highly Commended for the Victorian Premier’s Literary Award 2023.

Writer, Director, Performer: Glenn Shea
Associate Director: Dr. Kirsty Reilly

📆 Aug 14 - 25
🎟️ Book fast: https://lamama.com.au/whats-on/education-2024/three-magpies-perched-in-a-tree/
📷 Darren Gill

BY JANE'S HAND is back! We're thrilled to present this whimsical window into the magnificent mind of Jane Austen again at the Courthouse. Jane’s life was censored by the patriarchy and romanticised by popular culture. Why did her family burn her letters? How and why did she create? This new work from old collides elements of music and verbatim theatre within a dreamscape.

Chookas to the team for Opening Night tonight!!

Text by Jane Austen
Songs and music by various composers chosen by Jane Austen, arranged by Emma O’Brien
Devised and curated by Emma and Olivia O’Brien of Seldom Theatre Productions
Performers: Isha Menon, Marjorie Butcher, Olivia O’Brien
Directed by Emma O’Brien
Set Design by Emma and Henry O’Brien
Set Construction by Martin Mason and Rod Connolly
Costumes by Susan Halls
Lighting Design by Hannah Willoughby
Dramaturgy by Draf Draffin and Henry O’Brien
Image by Darren Gill

📆 Jul 17 - 28
🎟️ Book: https://lamama.com.au/whats-on/education-2024/by-janes-hand/
📷 Darren Gill

❤ A huge congratulations to Gemma Horbury! Our La Mama Musica Curator has been shortlisted for the 2024 Art Music Awards presented by APRA AMCOS and the Australian Music Centre (AMC). The Art Music Awards is an annual celebration of the national art music community, recognising excellence among creators, performers, and community leaders in contemporary classical, jazz, experimental music and sound art. Gemma has been nominated for Excellence in Experimental Practice for her narrative driven composition The Story of Here. The work is a “game” for narrator and improvising ensemble exploring the planet’s evolutionary history. We're so proud of Gemma who contributes a fascinating curation of music and sound to La Mama's programming each season, and we wish her all the best at the awards in August.

📷 Darren Gill of Gemma performing The Story of Here at the Courthouse in 2023.

Find out more here: https://www.apraamcos.com.au/about-us/news-and-events/2024-art-music-awards-finalists-announced

La Mama EXPLORATIONS starts tonight!! Embrace the risk of our fabulous risk takers - the movers, the shakers, the trailblazers - bringing you their latest showings of their latest developments. For the next couple of months, Tuesday to Sunday you'll get a new showing every three nights as our artists try out their latest ideas, giving birth to the shows that may one day grace the main stages!! Starting tonight, Holy Fool, followed by Daniel later this week, then another eighteen showings until the end of September. Just $20 - we'll see you here!

📅 Running til Sep 22
🎟 Book https://lamama.com.au/whats-on/la-mama-explorations-2024/
📷 behind the graphic by Melissa Johnston for Daniel

La Mama presents Tom Petsinis' ZORBA'S LAST DANCE - fact, fiction and friendship in facing the end.

The historical Zorba is pitted against Nikos Kazantzakis, the author of the novel Zorba the Greek. The ensuing polemic touches on the nature of friendship, fiction and the responsibility of writers to their subjects. The ebb and flow of their encounter runs through the relationship of two contemporary characters who seek to overcome the challenges of ageing and illness through the transformative power of theatre and music.

Writer: Tom Petsinis
Director: Rosemary Johns
Actors: Evangelos Arabatzis, Dimitrios Koutsoukos, Donna Dimovski-Kantarovski

📅 Jul 31 - Aug 11
🎟️ Book: https://lamama.com.au/whats-on/winter-2024/zorbas-last-dance/
📷 Marshall White and David Myles

Another extraordinary day, where we contemplated the nature of cultural diversity, discussed the independent theatre sector at length, and just now have listened to some of our great theatre artists opening up about their dramaturgical experiences. Thanks to our amazing presenters: Amarantha Robinson, Dax Carnay, Erica McCalman, Lauren Mulling, Effie Nkrumah, Caitlin Dullard, Ella Caldwell, Danny Delahunty, Cameron Lukey, Dianne Toulson, Mari Lourey, Angus Cerini, Margaret Harvey, Petra Kalive and Jenni Medway.

Our free Professional Development Series is now at an end, and there is a huge cohort of theatre practitioners all across Australia who know a heck of a lot more this week that they did last week! We cannot believe the gold that was packed into each presentation, panel and workshop. The information our incredible experts shared was so so useful, the stories were inspiring, moving, and hilarious, and we want to thank each of them for their incredible generosity across the week.

This week has been so important to us. There were close to 3,000 live and livestream bookings from people all across Australia, with a smattering of folks joining us internationally as well! It's quite a dream to be able to make this type of information truly accessible to theatre people. Big thanks to organiser Myf Powell and CEO & Director Caitlin Dullard for giving us all this amazing week! And thanks to all who helped make it wonderful: from our presenters, to tech folk to those recording the week, to our volunteers, to artists, Auslan interpreters, clean air suppliers - and to you - the audience and participants who engaged so wonderfully, and committed to expanding your skills and knowledge of the sector - which important work if we're going to secure it through tougher times. Thanks thanks thanks to everyone.

And we feel so much gratitude to John T Reid Charitable Trusts, an org that in recognising the value of this type of skills development has funded our entire Pathways program, including this series - ensuring that it wouldn't cost you a thing.

And playback is available til Sunday, so go grab any bits you missed!

It's been a blast. We can't wait til next time. Xx

📷 Darren Gill

ARE YOU READY FOR THE FINAL SESSION?! All About Dramaturgy starts in ten minutes live at the Courthouse and online. Led by Mari Lourey with Angus Cerini, Margaret Harvey, Petra Kalive and Jenni Medway, Melbourne’s leading theatre practitioners discuss different approaches to, and their experiences of dramaturgy. Lineup change: Bernadette Fam is not able to make tonight’s panel - but you are! We’ll see you at 6!

Watch: https://m.youtube.com/live/qHcVB4KsTDQ?feature=share

We just had such a fascinating panel discussion about the Melbourne Independent Theatre Scene - if you missed it you NEED TO SEE IT - it's about all of us. Playback will run just til this Sunday so don't delay - link below. Thanks to panellists TNA’s Erica McCalman, La Mama’s Caitlin Dullard, Red Stitch’s Ella Caldwell, Melbourne Fringe’s Danny Delahunty, fortyfivedownstairs’ Cameron Lukey & Theatre Works’ Dianne Toulson. ONE SESSION LEFT THIS EVENING - and it's all things dramaturgy. See you in just over an hour.

WATCH: https://www.youtube.com/live/DfFEzx5y4rM

It was great to have Minister for the Arts, the Hon. Tony Burke MP and industry peers at La Mama today to talk about the future of the independent theatre sector. We look forward to continuing this productive conversation.

Day 4 is over, having answered some burning questions (and posed a few more) in three great sessions! From the utter practicality of budget and grant writing processes through the creative visions of designers to the unravelling of the definition of mainstream - is it even definable?? Being courageous in finding and pursuing and pitching your own voice and vision, AND being able to write that grant app to fund it - that’s what you call a big day. We want to thank our magnificent presenters and panellists for sharing their knowledge and stories: Selene Bateman, Caitlin Dullard, Meg White, Bronwyn Pringle, J. David Franzke, Sophie Woodward, Helen Hopkins, Carolyn Bock, Cassandra Fumi, Todd MacDonald, Emmanuelle Mattana & Stephen Nicolazzo.

You can watch playback for all sessions at the 🔗 below - just til Sunday so don’t delay.

Thank you Charlie Webb and Gabriel Kirley for your Auslan translation tonight, and thanks too to Clean Air Naarm for providing us with air purifiers for the space this week.

Can you believe we're now at the final day?? Tomorrow is it, folks, so if you haven't jumped in yet you have one day, three sessions left to do so! Celebrating Cultural Diversity – are we there yet? kicks our morning off with some big questions and a delightful panel asking them. In the afternoon we invite the lovely folk from Theatre Network Australia, Red Stitch, Melbourne Fringe, fortyfivedownstairs, Theatre Works and of course La Mama to talk everything Melbourne Independent Scene. And our final panel for the week and for the series tomorrow evening is All Things Dramaturgy with a cracking panel. It’ll be another day of total stimulation - we'll see you here and online bright and early Xx

Playback: https://m.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlD9sxn8eU3VacmPO7iNbrgYdGboZmJZL&si=URIH02VrOkQpza0U

📷 Darren Gill

Our final session for the day is a beauty - how do we navigate the mainstream..? What is it?? How do you get there?? And what do you do when you do?? There's been one change with tonight's line up, the lovely Liv Satchell won't be with us this evening, but we have an absolute powerhouse of a panel; come join Helen Hopkins, Carolyn Bock, Cassandra Fumi, Todd MacDonald, Emmanuelle Mattana & Stephen Nicolazzo in 15 minutes at the Courthouse or online. See you at 6!

Watch: https://www.youtube.com/live/g1MfTY59Okk

📷 Darren Gill

Are you a budding designer in theatre? Or do you have to communicate your vision to a designer or several for your upcoming project? Get the fundamentals you need for those creative concepts and conversations! In 15 minutes join acclaimed design experts Meg White, Bronwyn Pringle, J. David Franzke, Sophie Woodward and facilitator Emma Fawcett at the Courthouse or online as we talk all things theatre design. See you at 1.30pm!

Watch: https://m.youtube.com/live/C5ALl1LZChY

Good morning and welcome to Day 4 of La Mama PD! Crack open your spreadsheets and sharpen up your pencils, Selene Bateman and Caitlin Dullard are in the house to workshop with you all the fun-damentals of grant writing and budgeting! Starts at 9:30, so grab your coffee and we’ll see you online or at the Courthouse in ten.

Watch: https://m.youtube.com/live/PH8zkq6Vxq8?feature=share

Day Three is over! And it's been another day of incredible workshops, and a brilliant panel discussion that every theatre practitioner, organisation and festival should watch. Lucky for anyone who missed it, playback for ALL the sessions so far is available here: https://linktr.ee/lamama.

Today, our savvy participants have learned how to produce a show from absolute go to whoa, they learned all about stage and production management, (and how there's nothing better than a beautiful risk assessment - looking at you, Kat), and they've received absolutely essential insights into accessibility in theatre, advocacy vs over-advocacy, the desire to move beyond the assumptions of others in creating work - and so so much more.

Thank you to our presenters and panellists: Kath Papas, Laura Milke Garner, Shane Grant, Kat Carrington, Rachel Edward, Heidi Everett, Janice Florence, Nilgun Guven, Jessica Moody, Olivia Muscat and Sarah Mainwaring - you're all brilliant and we're so thrilled you could be here and are grateful for all the gold you gave us.

Thanks to our Auslan interpreters: Glenda Judd, Gabriel Kirley (on screen) and Ilana Charnelle and Dave Childs (voices).

Thanks again to our clean air provider - Clean Air Naarm for the air purifiers.

Sharpen your pencils ready for tomorrow: we start with Grant Writing & Budget Fundamentals in the morning, followed by the afternoon workshop Design Fundamentals, and our panel discussion tomorrow evening is around Navigating the Mainstream - we'll see you then! Xx

📷 Darren Gill

Final session for Day Three starts in ten minutes and it’s a great way to finish: Art, Accessibility, Advocacy, Mavericks, Movers and Shakers. Join Rachel Edward, Heidi Everett, Janice Florence, Nilgun Guven, Jessica Moody, Olivia Muscat & Sarah Mainwaring at the Courthouse or on the livestream for this fascinating discussion. See you at 6!

Watch: https://m.youtube.com/live/ddGlz7Ys3Jw?feature=share

📷 Darren Gill

Day Two done - and what a day! Our presenters and panellists have been absolutely STUFFING these sessions with information, ideas, strategies, processes, expertise, hints, tips, knowledge, questions, inspiration, humour and extraordinary stories from their own experiences - such gems! We have learned the practical tools of media release writing, and artist wellbeing in the workplace, and now this evening we've gone on a brilliant deep dive into social and sexual culture, shame and pleasure, power and protections, the often unmonitored workplaces of independent theatre... and too much to even touch on here. Thanks for a brilliant day, Anna Lensky, Jamie Bucirde, Maude Davey, Frankie Van Kan, Joel Bray, Nadja Kostich, and Kimberley Twiner.

Livestream playback runs til Sunday for all sessions so if you couldn't jump on at the time, you've now got time to catch up - links in bio once the sessions are finished. Or, if you haven't booked the upcoming sessions - links also in bio to book!

A shout out to Clean Air Naarm for lending us air purifiers for the Courthouse this week - thank you!

And of course a big thanks to our Auslan interpreters this evening, Charlie Webb and Glenda Judd, who, as Maude so delightfully pointed out, deserve a special shout out for the rather intimate stories they were interpreting this evening!!

Big day tomorrow so get a good sleep. Producing Skillset for Artists is first thing, followed by In Dark Spaces: The Art of Stage and Production Management for Independent Theatre in the afternoon, and we're looking forward to tomorrow evening's panel: Art, Access, Advocacy, Mavericks, Movers & Shakers.

Remember that these sessions are for everyone, no matter where you are in your career nor what role you normally play in the world of theatre! The more you know about the roles surrounding yours, the better you can understand your own - so we'll see you all here tomorrow! XX

📷 Darren Gill

Our final session for the day is about to begin so get yourself to the Courthouse or cosy on your couch with some soup and your livestream link, and join the panel for The Body, Consent, S*x and Power as they delve into the realms of intimacy, power, consent in both content and processes.

With Jamie Bucirde (chair) with Joel Bray, Maude Davey, Nadja Kostich, Kimberley Twiner & Frankie Van Kan - what a line up!! See you at 6pm!

Livestream playback til Sunday.

Watch: https://www.youtube.com/live/uMfEs2f-ttY

This is perfect weather for upskilling!! Fifteen minutes til Anna Lensky from Pitch Projects tells you everything you need to know about writing a really good media release! You know how useful this will be - so we will see you at 9:30! Couple of spots left live or join us on the livestream…

Watch: https://m.youtube.com/live/pACd5EKG-yw?feature=share

📷 Darren Gill

Wow - what a way to kick off our Professional Development Series and engage in NAIDOC Week. What a privilege to be invited into such a dynamic conversation that traversed some really fascinating and difficult topics with such generosity, candidness, humour and heart. Thank you so much to our panel: Rachael Maza, Kamarra Bell-Wykes, Amy Sole, and our chair Glenn Shea. As Glenn said "We have such a bright future ahead of us."

If you missed Session 1: First Nations Theatre: Challenging the Narrative, do jump on the link and watch - playback available til this Sunday - this was a ripper of a conversation, with great follow-up questions and responses from both the live and livestreaming audiences and you won't want to miss it. Thanks all for the terrific night.

Thank you too to Nay King and Charlie Webb who were our fabulous Auslan interpreters this evening. Note that all our evening sessions will be Auslan interpreted. And also a big thanks to for the loan of air purifiers for the week.

We'll see you all tomorrow morning from 9.30am with the first of our workshops - the super useful How to Write a Really Good Media Release with Anna Lensky.

📷 Darren Gill

Ready to go??!! Our very first extraordinary panel has gathered! JOIN US in five minutes for the first session of our free Professional Development Series: Welcome & First Nations Theatre – Challenging the Narrative. There's still a handful of seats left at the Courthouse OR join us on the Livestream and make sure you add your questions to the live chat! See you at 6pm Xx

Presenters: Glenn Shea (chair) with Amy Sole, Rachael Maza, and Kamarra Bell-Wykes.

Watch: https://www.youtube.com/live/bmbIcdgs8a8

📷 Darren Gill

We had a fantastic evening on Wednesday, when we welcomed our Winter season artists to La Mama. It was an appropriately chilly affair, but we painted the joint red with the spirit of theatre and the excitement of the season ahead! Here's a couple of lovely shots taken by Darren Gill of the evening.

Winter Season begins next week with our free Professional Development Series, many sessions of which are nearly booked out (the live sessions - still plenty of room online!). We hope to see all of you there! XX

📆 Jul 8 - Sep 26
🎟️ via 🔗 in bio
📷 Darren Gill

It's NEXT WEEK! There is something relevant to anyone who works in theatre or the arts, so check out the full program and add your name for free to either the live or livestreamed sessions. A heads up that some of the live sessions are now almost full so don't delay.

✨ Connect to like-minded people
✨ Network with peers and panel
✨ Evening sessions Auslan interpreted
✨ Livestream playback until Sun Jul 14
✨ Open to all folks at any stage of career
✨ All free
✨ Bookings essential

We'll see you Monday Xx

📆 Mon Jul 8 - Fri Jul 12
🎟️ Full program and book your free tickets fast: https://lamama.com.au/whats-on/professional-development-series-2024/

Your answer to school holiday entertainment is already amongst us and having the best time at the Courthouse!! La Mama Kids presents Jon & Jero: The Forgotten Tales! An improvised storytelling adventure for the whole family.

Jon & Jero love telling stories, but they always forget how they go! To solve this dilemma they need your help to figure out what happens next as we jump into fantastical made up adventures!

Get ready for a truly wondrous exploration of imagination filled with big characters, music, clowning and physical comedy. The Forgotten Tales is perfect for kids 5 to 500!

★★★★★ “an extremely fun hour of entertainment for all ages” – Lilithia Reviews

Performed by Jeromaia Detto and Jon Walpole

📷 Darren Gill
📅 Jul 4 - 7
🎟 Book fast: https://lamama.com.au/whats-on/la-mama-kids/kids-jon-jero-the-forgotten-tales/
🎟 Just $20/$10!!!

We have two shows On Screen this week! Firstly, Jorja Bentley's critically acclaimed BLOOD IN THE WATER.

"A strong poignant family drama" - STAGE WHISPERS
★★★★☆ "A thoroughly engrossing play from start to finish" - WHAT DID SHE THINK?
★★★★★ "Playwright Jorja Bentley has authored a gripping and provocative theatre show" - WHAT'S THE SHOW

A suburban family’s world is irrevocably changed following the news of a violent crime.

👀 Watch: https://watch.lamama.com.au/programs/blood-in-the-water?category_id=202170

And secondly, a/lone by Project Connect Ensemble. In the experience of profound disconnection, when there are no more floors to crash through, the only way out is in.

👀 Watch: https://watch.lamama.com.au/programs/alone?category_id=202170

If you missed either - now's you chance to catch them!

📅 Jul 2-16
🎟️ Just $10
🎥 Ruiqi Fu
📷 Darren Gill

Welcome to our Writers! La Mama Writing Intensive began on Monday night with an introduction and induction session. La Mama CEO and Director Caitlin Dullard, along with facilitators Mari Lourey, Glenn Shea and Dr Peta Murray, and Development and Pathways Manager Myf Powell met the cohort at HQ, their home for the Winter.

We are revving up for a dynamic season of skills development - and you're all invited! Our Winter Season officially begins next week, kicking off with our free Professional Development Series (live and livestreamed so watch from anywhere in the world). Emerge participants have just been announced, and Explorations begins in a couple of weeks. Hold onto your hats, and join in the fun!

Top to bottom, left to right: Glenn Shea, Caitlin Dullard, Lyall Brooks, Mari Lourey, Joel Te Teira, Myf Powell, Michel Tuomy, Taku Mbudzi, Eliza Dune Daiza, Ellen Marning, Zachary Sheridan, Beth Paterson, Myfanwy Hocking, Dr Peta Murray, Jem Lai, Jorja Bentley and Flick.

📷 Darren Gill

La Mama Pathways Writing Intensive Program is run with support from Australian Plays Transform, and is funded by John T Reid Charitable Trusts and the Australian Government through Creative Australia, its arts funding and advisory body.

We're thrilled to announce the twenty artists who will be participating in La Mama Emerge with renowned theatre makers Liv Satchell and Xanthe Beesley this Winter:

Charlotte Rogers, Chelsea Chua, Lakshmi Ganapathy, Tony Song, Lucy Ansell, Bridie Noonan, James Madsen-Smith, Liv Bell, Lucy Eidelson, Stone J. Turner, Bridget Webster, Kiara Brown, Orla Brooks, Oscar O’Brien, Max Taylor, Ava Toon, Jordan Stott, Tiarna McPherson, Zoe Isabella Anastasiou, and Pajara (Pari) Rodsawang.

Congratulations all!

As part of La Mama’s Pathways Program, Emerge will provide valuable opportunities for young theatre artists to access career pathways, skills development and connection, providing time and space to create and develop their own work.

20 artists from 80 applicants aged 18 - 26 were selected, with the passion and drive of these young creatives reaffirming the desire and need for accessible programs and pathways into the industry.

The group will take part in weekly theatre making workshops and creative development, culminating in a Performance Season Sep 16 - 22 - watch this space!

La Mama Pathways Emerge Program is funded by John T Reid Charitable Trusts.

Read all about the La Mama Emerge participants: https://lamama.com.au/la-mama-pathways/pathways-2024/la-mama-emerge-2024/participants/

LA MAMA PD SERIES PRESENTERS:
Session 13: All Things Dramaturgy

Angus Cerini is a multi-award-winning writer, performer and theatre maker, whose plays have been produced by companies including Sydney Theatre Company, Melbourne Theatre Company, Griffin Theatre Company, and Malthouse Theatre.

Bernadette Fam is an interdisciplinary dramaturg, director and theatre-maker, and is currently New Work Manager at Malthouse Theatre Company.

Margaret Harvey amplifies Melanesian voices with her roots in Saibai Island. By exploring narratives of migratory expressions, she unveils the intricate interplay of ancestral pathways spanning the past, present, and future across live performance and film.

Petra Kalive is a theatre director who has worked across a diversity of projects on independent, community, education, and main stages. She is Associate Director at Melbourne Theatre Company.

Mari Lourey is an award winning playwright, dramaturg and creative producer, who has long had an interest in the skills and professional development of theatre makers in relation to performance writing.

Jennifer Medway is a dramaturg with over a decade of professional experience in the development of new Australian work. She is currently Melbourne Theatre Company’s Head of New Work.

📆 Fri Jul 12
🎟️ Book: https://lamama.com.au/whats-on/professional-development-series-2024/session-13-all-things-dramaturgy/

La Mama Professional Development Series Session 13: All Things Dramaturgy

Led by Mari Lourey with Angus Cerini, Bernadette Fam, Margaret Harvey, Petra Kalive and Jenni Medway, Melbourne’s leading theatre practitioners discuss different approaches to, and their experiences of dramaturgy.

Presenters: Mari Lourey (chair), Angus Cerini, Bernadette Fam, Margaret Harvey, Petra Kalive & Jenni Medway

📆 Fri Jul 12
🎟️ Book: https://lamama.com.au/whats-on/professional-development-series-2024/session-13-all-things-dramaturgy/