THIS SYSTEM IS UNDER REVIEW: NO SUBMISSIONS UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE PLEASE.

About us

Malthouse Theatre is a company dedicated to contemporary Australian theatre. In our program we aim to investigate what this means and, in doing so, to ask questions of the world in which we live.

The company embraces the diversity of cultures that constitute Australian theatre. While we acknowledge the important role of the writer, we also recognise the many ways in which a work of theatre might be made.

We seek to provide a space in which artists of different expertise might express and explore their ideas. We work in partnership with individuals, groups and companies from around the country and are committed to extending our relationships through form, media and potential audience. The company also works out of multiple spaces (including our workshop, our home theatres, and other sites).

We are not a company that focuses on the development of new work and new writers while both sit within our broad vision. Rather, we aim to present within
our limited resources the most bold and theatrically innovative work we can find. This means that we commission only three or so works a year, and we aim for the highest calibre of artist and idea in such commissions.

We recognise that such artists need clear and timely access and the importance of a connection to the idea. To this end we call for proposals for works that might be developed by the company through to production, and beyond. This call occurs three times a year.

About you

We anticipate that you are working professionally in theatre, have a broad knowledge of Australian theatrical culture and a good understanding of where Malthouse Theatre sits within this culture. We also anticipate that you are submitting a proposal with us, our theatre spaces and our interests in mind.

Working professionally in theatre means that you have had at least one professional production of your work. Professional productions encompass work staged in a variety of contexts (e.g., mainstage, circus, youth) that demonstrate a commitment to and understanding of theatre and where the artists concerned are recognised as professional by the industry at large. Readings and educational activities do not constitute a professional production.

Please note that if you do not fit within the above description your proposal
will be rejected upon its receipt.

About your proposal

Guidelines

In sending a proposal to the company, we ask for the following:

	One A4 page synopsis of the work, including why you want to work with the Malthouse on this particular idea or script. We are especially interested in what you believe a collaboration with this company will bring to your work and why. We would like to hear about the form as well as the content of your work, and how this engages with the theatrical medium.
	A one-paragraph biographical note of yourself (150 words maximum) and individual notes of similar length for any other artist involved.
	If the idea is already a developed text or has been substantially written, a 10-page extract, preferably the first ten pages, of the script or the equivalent in another medium (e.g., 5-min DVD).

All of the above should be presented in a 12-font single-sided format and postmarked no later than the due date. We will not accept faxed or emailed proposals.

Proposals may include more than one artist. We ask, however, that individuals or teams send no more than one proposal. This does not preclude you from being named on several proposals. We will assume that any artist named has a commitment to the project in question.

Please note that due to time and resource limitations we will not accept anything that sits outside these guidelines.

Selection

In receiving a proposal, the company will undertake the following:

	A letter acknowledging receipt will be sent to you.
	Each proposal will be read internally by the artistic team and may be sent out for an external peer advisory assessment.
	If the company has an interest in the project, we will notify you within three months of the receipt of your proposal.
	If you have not heard from us within this period, you may assume that your proposal has been read and will not be developed by the company. In this instance the materials you sent us will be destroyed.
	For those projects in which the company has expressed an interest, a decision on further development and/or programming will be made within four to six months of a proposal’s receipt, depending on programming schedules.

In any and all instances, proposals received that in our view fit more comfortably with another theatre company or relevant organisation will be forwarded to that body subject to your permission.

Please note that due to time and resource limitations we will not provide feedback on a proposal unless we undertake its development.

Dates

Proposals will be received on 1 March, 1 July and 1 October of each year.

All proposals should be sent to the following:

Artistic Department
Malthouse Theatre
113 Sturt Street
Southbank, VIC, 3006

ENQUIRIES
Maryanne Lynch, Dramaturge in Residence
(03) 9685 5167


We invite your engagement!