Storytellers is a new paid creative development pathway from Byron Theatre Company, supporting Northern Rivers theatre-makers to develop original work and take their projects to the next stage.
We’re looking for projects that are already underway — work with a committed creative team, a strong connection to the Northern Rivers and a foundation ready to build from.
Storytellers is open to original work for live performance, including new plays, devised theatre, physical theatre, contemporary performance and interdisciplinary performance.
Stage 1 – Development Lab
Four projects will be selected for a three-day Development Lab at Byron Theatre in January 2027.
Selected projects will receive:
- Three days of supported creative development
- Mentorship from experienced theatre practitioners
- Dedicated time to explore and test ideas
- Professional photography
- An $800 cash contribution per project
At the end of the Development Lab, up to two projects will be invited to continue to Stage 2.
Stage 2 – Project Residency
Up to two projects will progress to a five-day Project Residency at Byron Theatre.
Each project will receive:
- Five days of focused creative development
- Continued mentorship
- Technical support
- Professional photography
- An opportunity to present a work-in-progress showing to an invited audience
- A $2,500 cash contribution per project
Who can apply?
Storytellers is for creative teams of two to five people. The lead applicant must have lived in the Northern Rivers for at least the past 12 months, and a majority of the team must live in the region.
Artists may be emerging, mid-career or established theatre-makers or performance practitioners.
Confirmed mentors include producer Jane Fuller and award-winning director Heather Fairbairn, with additional guest mentors potentially joining the Project Residencies.
Key dates
Applications close Sunday 1 November 2026 at 6pm AEDT.
The three-day Development Lab will take place during the week of 11–16 January 2027, with exact dates to be confirmed. Project Residencies will take place in February or April 2027.
Find out more, read the full application guidelines and apply:
www.byrontheatre.com
Storytellers is presented by Byron Theatre Company and supported by the NSW Government through Create NSW’s Regional NSW Strategic Partnerships Program.
Image Credits
All photographs by Kate Holmes. All productions by Byron Theatre Company.
Hero image: Noa Rotem in Displace I Call Home (2025) by Bianca Sirianni. Photo: Kate Holmes.
Photo 1: Noa Rotem in Displace I Call Home (2025) by Bianca Sirianni. Photo: Kate Holmes.
Photo 2: Full company of Displace I Call Home (2025) by Bianca Sirianni. Photo: Kate Holmes.
Photo 3: Toni Scanlan in Tirra Lirra by the River (2026) by Heather Fairbairn and Kate Wild. Photo: Kate Holmes.
Photo 4: Pirie Outlidge and Tom Anderson in Tirra Lirra by the River (2026) by Heather Fairbairn and Kate Wild. Photo: Kate Holmes.
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