For Artists
Hello!
Let's face it: this industry can be challenging. We want to support artists as best we can, especially young and early career artists. We love connecting with you and learning about what you do, so that we can provide high quality opportunities for growth, learning and development. Across our yearly program of productions, workshops, and artist development programs, there are plenty of chances to get involved. We bring together both emerging and established professionals to collaborate on projects, creating pathways and relationships within the industry for future opportunities.
If you’re an independent artist, group or collective, we would love to meet you. Introduce yourself, your work, and get to know ours too. It’s not always formal. Often it’s coffee catch-ups, post-show conversations, or spending time with your work. We are especially interested in collaborations that are mutually beneficial, fostering a passion and enthusiasm for adventurous live theatre, and a love of growth, experimentation and exploration. For us, building and nurturing those relationships is an important part of what we do.
The best way to get on our radar is to drop us an email, invite us to see your work, or apply for one of our available opportunities. You can email producer@observatorytheatre.com
General Applications
Are you an artist working in independent theatre? Send us your details and let's chat. We're looking for actors, directors, technical designers, dramaturgs and others. Send through your CV and a brief introduction to yourself. Email: apply@observatorytheatre.com
Playwrights
New stories, voices and perspectives are an important part of what we do. We frequently commission new work through our Telescope program, which accepts applications annually. We also commission new work by writers who we have a long standing relationship with. If you're interested in getting involved as a writer with us, send us an email: producer@observatorytheatre.com
The Telescope New Writing Program supports emerging playwrights to make their big, bold and ambitious ideas a reality on stage. We commission playwrights to write daring and imaginative stories, encouraging growth, learning and experimentation across the process. The program offers unique opportunities for writers to have their work seen by audiences and industry through a premiere production.
"Developing a new play through the Telescope Program has helped to open up a wealth of new perspectives and ideas about the work, and the craft of writing and making theatre in general. It’s been great to feel both supported and productively challenged by the company and generous associate artists across the whole process" - Oliver Gough (for Disney Off Ice, 2024)
Applications for the 2026 Telescope Program are now open. Click Here for more information.
Focus Room is a casual, monthly space for writers of all experiences and skill levels to gather, grow and develop their craft. In a supportive and inclusive environment, writers receive professional feedback on their current work, talk with a featured playwright who shares insights on their craft, and get some work done in a group setting. The program is flexible to your needs as a writer, whether it be inspiration, productivity or community.
Places are limited every month. Find out more by clicking here.
Post-Show Talks
We hold post-show discussions after select performances. Check the event page for more details. A performance is constantly in dialogue with the community, so come and join the conversation. The theatre-makers will discuss the work in depth and shed light on the creative process, plus hang around for a beverage and chat afterwards. We promise it'll be fun and interesting!
Values Statement
Observatory Theatre is all about collaboration, adventurous ideas, and pushing artistic boundaries. We believe theatre has the power to change lives, challenge perspectives, and spark conversation - for both the audience and the artists. Our work is designed to be impactful, thought-provoking and inspiring to the imagination. We aim for professional quality while embracing the freedom of an independent spirit, turning limitations into creative opportunities. Every project we take on is fueled by passion and a commitment to making great theatre. At the heart of it all, we’re dedicated to creating a space where artists feel safe, supported, and inspired to take risks. We encourage experimentation, exploration, and fearless creativity, because that’s where the magic happens.
Diversity & Inclusion Statement
We’re here to make a real impact on Brisbane’s theatre scene. For us, that starts with inclusion and collaboration. The more diverse voices and perspectives we bring into our work, the richer and more meaningful our stories become. At Observatory Theatre, there’s always room at the table. We welcome artists from all backgrounds, experiences, and walks of life to come and create with us. This is a space to play, explore, listen, share, experiment, and take risks. To try, fail, and try again, not just in spite of our differences, but because of them.