NEW WORK

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

Def: Something that leads

Darlo's Bellwether program is a new residency program designed to support Sydney-based artists who are leading change in their communities. The program is open to early and emerging artist collectives with a proven track record of bold, innovative practices. The residency includes a ticketed performance outcome, which will take place at the Eternity Playhouse, giving artists the opportunity to showcase their work to a wider audience. Overall, the program provides a valuable opportunity for Sydney-based artists to develop their work, connect with industry professionals, and showcase their art to a wider audience.

WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR

Seeking change-makers with a proven track record of bold, innovative practice, who seek to use live performance as their medium for social impact and empathy.

• Sydney-based artist collectives or solo early to emerging artists with strong arts practice
• Projects that have had creative development and/or will be able to be presented to an audience at the conclusion of your residency
• Projects that are made for a community who may not have been historically invited into a traditional theatre space
• Projects that push the boundaries of traditional theatre making. All ideas are welcome!

WHAT WE OFFER

• Production and producing support
• Mentoring
• Networking
• Year round access to office space
• Year round access to meeting room/development room
• 1 weeks access to the Eternity Playhouse with all in-house technical equipment
• $3,000 start up funds for artist wages
• Ticketing and marketing support
• Training opportunities
• Support from Stage A Change & Create Consent

WHAT YOU'RE RESPONSIBLE FOR

• Productions/projects must be self-produced by the Residency collective. This includes: employment of artists, managing budgets and production schedules, risk management, workplace safety.
• Residency collectives take responsibility for the selling of tickets for the performance outcome, with support from DTC.
• Communicating clearly with DTC throughout your residency on what you and your collective need to succeed.
• Ensuring the start up fees is only used for artist wages.

HOW TO APPLY

All applications will be reviewed through an assessment process, led by DTC’s Artistic Director. The selection process will consider the following:

How does this project speak to DTC’s Access, Equity and Inclusion policy? Does this collective or artists have the experience or capacity to deliver the project? Is this project important to be staged now, in 2024? Does this collective or artist have a meaningful connection with the community this project is being made for? Is this collective or artist looking to create risk-taking, boundary-pushing work?

Apply via written word:

Use the google form below to answer the following questions:

• Your proposed idea should answer these questions.
• What is it you want to make? (50 words max)
• What do you want to happen in the show? (500 words max)
• How do you want to make the show? (100 words max about the ways you might go about making the work)
• Why do you want to make it now? (100 words max about why this idea is urgent)
• Your idea may be accompanied by links to video, audio, images, extracts of text or other supporting materials.

Apply in person

Make a booking for a 15 min pitch with Darlo’s Artistic Director. Times available 11am - 1pm from 26 June - 6 July (Monday - Thursday) Please send through any reference images or support material to amylia@darlinghursttheatre.com prior to your pitch session.

Should the above times not be possible please, please email Amylia to schedule a time.

Please be prepared with a pitch with speaks to the questions listed for the written submissions. Artists / Collectives can book both a pitch session and apply via the online google form.

Should you have any accessibility requirements in order to best pitch your project, please connect with Accessibility Manager Jacqueline Tooley to provide bespoke assistance.

Submissions for our inaugural Bellwether Residency are now open and close 10am Monday 3 July.

WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR

Seeking fresh and boundary-pushing playwrights and works that provide a fresh take on the world and provoke wider and deeper thinking across the community.

WHAT WE OFFER

• Playwright led, new work development program
• Produced developement of new work with optional public reading
• DTC to take financial risk.
• Artists paid as per LPA.
• Support from Stage A Change & Create Consent

HOW TO APPLY

Applications are not currently open and will open later this year. We will update this page and announce open applications on our social media channels.

Factory by Christopher Bryant

This new work is a play designed for disabled performers; a reworking of (the very ableist) Marat/Sade using Chris's own experiences of disability and queerness as a launchpad. Its development is directed by Amy Sole.

Loving Us by Phoebe Grainer

Phoebe Grainer’s new work, titled Loving Us, is an investigation and celebration of Blak love, sexuality, dating, friendship and sex. Amy Sole collaborates as dramaturg.

No Pink Dicks by Moreblessing Maturure

No Pink Dicks by Moreblessing Maturure is an incisive look at intercultural relationships from a Black female perspective and stages the murky chasm in which political and personal lives intersect. No Pink Dicks is dramaturgically led by Zindzi Okenyo.

No Pink Dicks has been assisted by the Australian Government through the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body.