LA MAMA FULL ANNUAL PROGRAM 2027

Raw and electric – SLOW SCRATCH is a platform for performance makers to test new ideas with a community of peers. A space for creative risk-taking, early development, and cross-pollination, it’s part lab, part launchpad – where creative sparks fly and where the seeds of tomorrow’s devised theatre is tested and developed.

8 Artists develop individual devised works in a community of practice over six Saturday afternoons in winter as part of Play. (26 June, 3 July, 17 July, 24 July, 14 Aug, 21 Aug). Artists will bring 10 minutes of material to work with, which they will continue to develop through dramaturgical workshops and peer sharing sessions over the six weeks. These developments will culminate in a short excerpt public presentation in late August. 

Artists are supported throughout the program with weekly peer-led dramaturgical sessions facilitated by Producer Emma Fawcett. For the sharing/s, artists receive 100% of Box Office and technical support. The in kind value is estimated as $1500 per artist.

SLOW SCRATCH will be curated by Producer Emma Fawcett with Alumni Marni Mount.  SLOW SCRATCH will be Produced by Emma Fawcett with support by Pathways & Partnerships Manager Myf Powell.

This opportunity is appropriate for artists who make work primarily through devising (solo and small groups), who have the seed, or start of an idea, who wish to play alongside peer support before developing into a future full-length work.

Running since the 1980s, EXPLORATIONS is La Mama’s iconic season of works in development – now more vital than ever. Artists are given three nights of public presentation to push boundaries, interrogate form, and chase bold ideas. Creating room for daring storytelling to flourish, EXPLORATIONS is La Mama at its most curious, critical and creative. 

36 Artists/groups with three-night seasons at HQ and Courthouse across June to August.

Artists retain 100% of Box Office, with in kind support to the value of $5000 and are supported with a Stage Manager and La Mama staff Producer Support.

Curated by our annually rotating Alumni Assessors, for 2027, this is Amarantha Robinson and Vivian Nguyen working with Artistic Director Caitlin Dullard. Pathways Manager Myf Powell coordinates EXPLORATIONS. The La Mama Producing team will be attached to Explorations best suited to the team’s future ambitions.

This opportunity is appropriate for artists with capacity to do a 3-night public sharing of works that will benefit from test audiences to help shape their next stages of development.

EXPLORATIONS is supported by the Cybec Foundation and the City of Melbourne Multi-year Arts Grants Program.

A deeply focused 12-week practice-led program for 12 mid-career writers ready to take their work to the next level. Building on PATHWAYS 2023, WRITING INTENSIVE 2024 and MOBILE CONNECT 2025, programs that revealed the power of peer exchange, mentorship, reaching beyond Melbourne, developing networks, skills, opportunities, and finding strength in a community of practice, IMMERSE is an opportunity to grow practice, deepen networks, and take the next bold step in theatre-making.

Two fully subsidised streams run in parallel, meeting Monday evenings from 6-9pm from 21 June – 30 August, along with combined monthly Saturday Guest Artist Series (19 June, 10 July, 7 August) and Theatre Trips culminating in a Pitching and Presentation Showcase at La Mama HQ connecting writers to producers, programmers and collaborators (online and in-person).

IMMERSE: METRO

6 writers in-person at La Mama HQ +

IMMERSE: REGIONAL

6 writers online from regional and remote Victoria

• Weekly in-person development tutorials (3 hours)

• Peer exchange and collaborative workshops

• 15 hours x 1:1 dramaturgical mentorship per artist

• 3 x Monthly Guest Artist Series and Theatre Trips

• Pitching and Presentation Showcase at La Mama HQ (week of 23 - 27 August) connecting writers to producers, programmers and collaborators (online and in-person).

IMMERSE applications will be assessed by program alumni. For 2027 this will be Keith Gow and Sarah Bell working with Pathways Manager Myf Powell for final selection. IMMERSE is facilitated by the La Mama staff and coordinated by Pathways Manager Myf Powell.

IMMERSE is fully subsidised to the value of $8000 per participant, and free to participants. This opportunity is appropriate for playwrights who are mid-career but under-produced, or established artists and/or writers pivoting towards playwriting - with a strong story to tell- to get their work ready for presentation.

IMMERSE is supported by the CYBEC Foundation.

EMERGE is an open-access program for theatre makers aged 18–26.

Emerge runs from June to 29 August 2027, with weekly Saturday workshops from 12:30–4:30pm, culminating in a public outcome presented in the final week of August at La Mama Courthouse.

Participants gain real-world production experience, build peer networks, and receive professional exposure as part of La Mama’s nationally respected independent theatre Community.

This opportunity is appropriate for theatre makers aged 18–26.

Applications will open in 2027.

A graduate program for the next generation of theatre-makers. SPRINGBOARD supports theatre makers making the transition from tertiary study into independent practice.

Participants are selected through long-term and negotiated partnerships across the tertiary and adult education sector, enabling La Mama to work with a diverse range of emerging artists and graduate cohorts.

Springboard cohorts have three-night seasons at HQ and Courthouse early June.

Artists retain 100% of Box Office, with in kind support to the value of $5000 and are supported with a Stage Manager and La Mama staff Producer Support.

SPRINGBOARD provides graduates a supported environment to continue developing theatre making, build professional networks and establish connections with La Mama and the independent theatre sector.

After the success of the 2024 Festival, we return with a takeover across the month of September. This is a festival of new Australian works presented in languages other than English. 

The format of the festival will be curated in response to applications, with the possibilities of full seasons and smaller sharings across the month, at both La Mama HQ and Courthouse. The 80% box office going to artists and ticketing, venue, and front of house La Mama deal will be minimum.

The support and value of support will be determined by the shape of the festival. 

Works are programmed by Festivals Producer Dora Abraham and Alumni Assessor Nilesh Gadre with Artistic Director Caitlin Dullard. 

This opportunity is appropriate for artists who will have a new work ready to present primarily (80%+) in a language other than English. Note that given the flexible format, works at various stages of development are possible. In your application please include information about which language the work will be in and what stage of development you wish to share the work (full production or work in development). 

La Mama leans into the local cultural moment that is Melbourne Fringe - a festival bursting with energy, ideas, and artistic momentum. It’s where the edges of art and audience blur, and possibility thrives. We meet that pace and play hard, embracing risk, provocation, and joy in equal measure.

Six one-week seasons will take place across La Mama Courthouse and HQ. No venue sharing or need to bump in and out between performances. Full weeks with the option of late and extra performances. 

Each production receives Fringe registration and 80% of Box Office. Estimated in-kind value is $10,000 per production.

Works are programmed by Alumni Assessor Linnea Tengrroth with Fringe Producer Nicki Jam and Artistic Director Caitlin Dullard. 

This opportunity is appropriate for artists who will have a new Australian work Fringe-ready for October 2027. This work will have a fearless spirit, push boundaries, challenge, be bold and have something to say about the world that we live in. 

The conservation of our First Nation's story, songs and dances are so crucial within our cultural cannon of artistic expression that each voice representing their story needs to be continually archived for future generations to understand the importance of what our storytellers are saying right now through their lived experiences.

A combination of full seasons, one-off events and yarning circles.

The deal and in-kind support value for each work will vary.

Works will be programmed through the application process and through Community by First Nations Producer Glenn Shea.

This opportunity is appropriate for First Nations artists and First Nations led projects. 

In a love letter to the neighbourhood and summer nights we create our very own ‘piazza pubblica’ in Carlton, closing off the year with street performance, one-off events and building on the legacy of our beloved MUSICA, POETICA and CABARETICA. La Mama is community, and in this spirit we embrace our local Carlton community by opening the doors and taking the artists to the streets. Including curated creative festivities and free events for all.

FARADAYS will take place across La Mama Courthouse and HQ, including performances and events in the theatres, courtyard, forecourt and Carlton streets throughout December.

Teams/Artists will receive support from a Stage Manager, Producer Dora Abraham and where relevant La Mamica Curators.

FARADAYS will be programmed throughout the year through local partnerships, program outcomes and La Mamica Curators. Producer Dora Abraham will coordinate.

This opportunity is appropriate for artists working in live performance, music, poetry, cabaret or community artists.  

FARADAYS is supported by the local Business Partnerships.

Musica and Poetica started at La Mama in the 1960s and Cabaretica joined in recent years to make up the La Mamicas. Pushing the boudaries of theatre and embracing art in many forms, the La Mamicas are embedded into our annual program, through Explorations, Festivals and FaraDays. 

La Mamica’s are Curated by Gemma Horbury (Musica), Amanda Anastasi (Poetica) and Isabel Knight (Cabaretica), who each have separate curating processes. 

The deal for La Mamicas varies pending the program and funding. 

This program is appropriate for artists who are poets, musicians or cabaret artists. 

La Mama Lift Off Program 2027 is a dynamic year-long theatre experience for selected Year 10 & 11 Drama and Theatre Studies students from up to eight secondary schools, offering a unique opportunity to engage with professional theatre through live performances, Saturday workshops, and collaborative creative development.

The program includes theatre visits, artist-led workshops, and a final presentation at La Mama FaraDays Festival. A strong commitment from schools, students, and families is essential. La Mama is committed to accessibility and encourages participation from regional and low SES schools. Lift Off is more than a program—it’s a launchpad. Students gain confidence, expand their creative thinking, and experience the power of theatre as both artists and audiences. 

This program is coordinated by Education Producer Maureen Hartley and Pathways Manager Myf Powell. 

This program is appropriate for year ten and eleven students. 

Lift Off is funded by the Victorian Department of Education’s Strategic Partnerships Program 2026–2027.