Artist Programs

We are building generations of exciting and challenging theatre-makers who will create the highest quality work for a diverse range of audiences. We provide opportunities for artists, writers, directors and arts professionals to develop their skills.

STAGING THE WORLD
Staging the World is an intensive skills development program for artists of colour, to work with and receive mentorship from established international creatives funded by the Girgensohn Foundation.

Mentors:Tarell Alvin McCraney (2023)  Mina Morita (2024)  Azan Ahmed (2025)

Creatives involved: Challito Browne, James Elazzi, Moreblessing Maturure, Jules Orcullo, S. Shakthidharan, Aileen Huynh, Monica Kumar, Fernando de Miguel Fuertes, Pratha Nagpal, Bali Padda, Monica Sayers, Ryan Whitworth-Jones, Nickin Alexander, DEFNE , Dilroop Khangura, Aliyah Knight
Rania Omar, Kid Pharaoh, Mây Trần

CREATIVES FUTURES
National Theatre of Parramatta is committed to capacity building in Western Sydney and has launched a Creative Futures Program for creatives, production and backstage opportunities. The scheme provides on the job learning and networking opportunities, enabling each participant to advance their careers within their nominated field. This program is by invitation only.

Creatives involved: Masego Pitso – Assistant Director – Choir Boy, Alice Cavanagh – Assistant Stage Manager – Fade, Rita Naidu – Assistant Set and Costume Design – Guards at The Taj, Tiffany Wong – Assistant to the Director – Things Hidden Since the Foundation of The World, Priscilla Doueihy – Assistant Director – Queen Fatima, Antony Makhlouf – Assistant Set Designer – The Things I Could Never Tell Steven,
Bernadette Fam – Assistant Director – Lady Tabouli , Pippa Ellams – Girl in the Machine, James Elazzi – Flight Paths,
Erin Taylor – Assistant Director – Jesus Wants me for a Sunbeam, Moreblessing Maturure – Assistant Director – The Girl/The Woman, Nick Atkins – Smurf in Wanderland, Concey Bosco – Assistant Stage Manager – The Incredible Her and Now, Amanda Sullo – Assistant Director – The Red Tree, Kate Worsley – Assistant Director – Swallow, Bianca ‘Bee’ Cruse – Assistant Director – Stolen, Concey Bosco – Assistant Stage Manager – Who Speaks For Me?

The Creative Futures program is essential as it provides emerging Western Sydney artists with an opportunity to experience the inner workings of a professional rehearsal room and production first hand. It allowed me to work on a professional production in a capacity that I had always been interested in but never had an opportunity to try out prior – which is rare but so valuable in the active upskilling of emerging artists. It is through Creative Futures that I have also been able to build a network and support system of emerging, mid-career and established artists who I know I can always turn to for guidance as I navigate my way through my artistic career.  Bernadette Fam (Creative Futures)

Creative Futures has been paramount in guiding me to write realistically for stage and theatre. The program also upskilled me to write work that is accessible to audiences and theatre-makers alike. The program also gave me the opportunity to meet other creatives, actors, and directors. James Elazzi (Creative Futures)

NTofP has significantly contributed to my development as an emerging artist. Through opportunities such as the Creative Futures Program, I was able to work closely with incredible artists and play a significant role in bringing a beautiful story to life while learning valuable skills. In showcasing my capabilities through this program and forming lasting relationships, I have been trusted to come back and design for shows at Riverside which has been such a special experience to be able to continue to create art in Western Sydney especially as a born and raised South-Westie.  Rita Naidu (Creative Futures)

FROM PAGE TO STAGE – playwriting program
Riverside’s National Theatre of Parramatta’s inaugural playwriting mentorship program, Page to Stage, took place in 2016-2017, 2021 – 2022 and 2024 – 2025.

Our program is aimed at nurturing and developing committed writers who live and/or work in Western Sydney to embed their work into the Australian theatre culture. This high-level training program provides a unique opportunity for writers to see their plays come to life over a twelve month period.

Creatives involved:  James Elazzi, Nick Atkins, Monikka Eliah, Mark Longhurst, Sandy Maestro, Lap Nguyen, Fiona Press, Jude Rabe, Tony Zeane, Valentino Musico, Challito Browne, Erin Middelton, Mitchell Bourke, Iley Jones, Ben Chapple, Jessica Fallico, Peter Maple, Natasha Pesce, Lana Morgan, Airlie Benson, Chanika Desilva, Jollee Hacadurian-Sacco, Mayu Iwasaki, Monica Kumar, Benjamin La, Daniel Mehareb, Fiona Murphy (personal reasons dropped out), Kim Pham, Gavin Roach, Kobra Sayyadi, Geneva Valek, Olivia Xegas

“Western Sydney is incubating tomorrow’s astonishing artists. The Page to Stage course is an important part of this vigour because it is tailored to the talent and enthusiasm of its participants, and connects them to real world professional support. This course is a joy to teach, and I look forward to the adventures ahead.” – Donna Abela (Page to Stage tutor)

POP – Playwrights of Parramatta and DOP – Directors of Parramatta

In 2017, National Theatre of Parramatta established capacity building program for emerging western Sydney playwrights. In the 2019 the program was extended to emerging directors.

The program was delivered between February 2017 and November 2022.

GUEST SPEAKERS

Donna Abela (Playwright), Javaad Alipoor (Playwright & Co-director), Shane Anthony (Director), Jessica Arthur (Director), Nick Atkins (Playwright), Claudia Barrie (Director), Hilary Bell (Playwright),  Odette Bereska (Literary Advisor), Felicity Castagna (Playwright), Kate Champion (Director), Kate Champion (Director), Peter Cook (Playwright, Performer), Frederick Copperwaite (Director), Fraser Corfield (AD ATYP and Director), Warwick Doddrell (Director), James Elazzi (Playwright), Sopa Enari (Playwright/ Dramaturg), Wesley Enoch (AD Syd fest, original director), Adam Fawcett (Playwright), Kate Gaul (Director), Greta Gertler Gold (Composer), Jane Harrison (Playwright), Noëlle Janaszweska (Director),  Anchuli Felicia King (Playwright), Priscilla Jackman (Director),  Lee Lewis (Director), Kirsty Marillier (Playwright),  Margaret McAuliffe (Playwright & Director),  Peter Maple (Dramaturg), Haley McQueen (Director) Dom Mercer (Director), Kenneth Moradela (Director), Tommy Murphy (Director),  Stefo Nantsou (Playwright & Director), Bali Padda (Director), Steve Rodgers (Playwright), Tim Rogers (Musician), Randa Sayed (Playwright and Actor) Stephen Sewell (Director), Melanie Tait (Playwright),  Erin Taylor (Director), Alana Valentine (Playwright), Vicki Van Hout (Director),  Anthea Williams (Director), David Williams (Playwright), Darren Yap (Director)

National Theatre of Paramatta also presents Open Table discussions, Mentorships, Masterclasses and Skills development workshops

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