Speakeasy Development Program

Darebin Arts Speakeasy supports performing artists from a range of backgrounds and disciplines to create new work and connect through practice.

The Speakeasy Development Program offers performing artists cash and studio space to develop new work for the stage. Projects are drawn from an annual round of open applications, selected based on the quality and viability of the ideas, and their alignment with Darebin Arts' community goals and values.

Eight new projects have been selected for development in 2024, from artistic teams including: playwright and dancer Jackie Sheppard, cross-disciplinary artist Naavikaran, choreographer Victoria Chiu and musician Mindy Meng Wang, choreographer Harrison Ritchie-Jones, director Bridget Balodis and playwright Kit Lazaroo, designer Savanna Wegman, director Justin Nott, and theatre-makers Zoe Boesen, Brigid Gallacher and Olivia Muscat.

Keep up-to-date with Speakeasy news and artist opportunities by joining our mailing list or following us on Facebook and Instagram.

Previously supported artists include Kalina Lauer, Nuclear Family Theatre, Kianna Edisane (House of Devine), Jennifer Vuletic, Benjamin Nichol, PSA Theatre, Barcode People, PO PO MO CO, Bloomshed, Vidya Rajan, Joel Bray, A_tistic, Cassandra Fumi, Glen Waton, Alexandra Aldrich, Nebahat Eroplat, Aaron Orzech, Christopher Harley, Koraly Dimitriadis, Alice Hetward, Tarah Carey, Stephen Nicolazzo, Lou Wall, Clare Bartholomew, Tré Truner and many more.

Speakeasy 2020 Development Artist Profile Vidya Rajan

Vidya Rajan received support through Darebin Arts Speakeasy’s Development Program to develop her new work Loot.

Speakeasy 2020 Development Artist Profile Lou Wall

Lou Wall received support from Darebin Arts Speakeasy's Development Program for Lou's new work Lousical the Musical.

 Speakeasy 2020 Development Artist Profile Joel Bray

Darebin Arts Speakeasy’s Development Program supported Joel to develop his new work Considerable Sexual License.

Speakeasy 2020 Development Artist Profile Benjamin Nichol

Benjamin Nichol received support from Darebin Arts Speakeasy's Development Program for his new work Fairybread.