Sunday Arts Magazine

22 Nov 2021

Theatre Works 2022 Launch

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Theatre Works 2022 Launch

50 Productions, 8 Works in Development, 7 Artist Development Programs, 7 Festival Seasons, and 1 additional multi-purpose new artist space.

After nearly two years of lockdowns, cancellations, funding cuts, and never-ending uncertainty, Melbourne’s iconic Theatre Works is moving forward into 2022 with their trademark innovation, tenacity, and unflinching dedication to Australia’s independent arts sector.

Running on the 28th of November from 7pm at the new Explosives Factory, this years’ Launch is a hybrid Live-Streamed and in-person event. With the in-person event already fully booked out, the wider arts community are encouraged to join the festivities online when they are Live-Streamed from 7:30pm.

Located around the corner from the much-loved Acland St venue on Inkerman St, the new Explosives Factoryis a versatile workshop and development space complete with accommodation, bathroom, and kitchen facilities. This exciting setting will house new programs and also act as a year-round rehearsal spot to partnering artists. During Festivals it will be activated as a versatile 60 seat performance venue and, if needed, also provide a smaller and more intimate space for works less suited to the Theatre Works main space. And yes, it was an actual Explosives Factory in its past life.

An artist first organisation, Theatre Works has long existed to support emerging, established, local, national, and international artists. This crucial new growth of the organisation, as they move into their 41st year, highlights how they have prevailed for over four decades – acting as a vital springboard for hundreds of thousands of artists and arts makers in that time.

From January, Theatre Works will storm into 2022 and act as a vibrant hub to 5 Festivals in the first 3 months of the year; Mullet Festival, Midsumma, First Stories, Radical Acts Festival and the Melbourne International Comedy Festival welcome audiences to the venues with a mix of reprogrammed work, First People led stories, and Victorian Arts Calendar favourites.

Following throughout the year, the organisation will support the creation of a vast array of works with new development and inhouse programming including (but not limited to) Associate Artists, She Writes, a Deakin University Partnership, Little Legends and Regional Arts Development and Accommodation Residencies.

Access and inclusion is also a constant driving force behind the creative programming and audience development focus at Theatre Works. They are in a frequent process of reassessing the venue (highlighted by their 20/21 Glasshouse), programming, and approach to embrace neuro-atypical audiences, people living with disability, mental illness, financial or social disadvantage. This also includes women, young people, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, LGBTQIA+ and other community members.

Known for their endurance and ongoing commitment to Australia’s arts community, join Theatre Works this November as they smash open their 2022 program and move into the most exciting chapter in the evolution of the organisation.