NSW Producers’ Platform

Apply for Performing Lines’ exciting new training program for emerging Producers!

Are you an independent producer looking to upskill? Or an artist looking to self-produce your work? Or have you always wanted to produce theatre but never knew where to start? Performing Lines is bringing its innovative skills development program for up-and-coming Producers to NSW for a series of sessions designed to answer questions and provide real-world content to develop your skills and experience.

The NSW Producers’ Platform provides an opportunity for 8 independent producers to undertake a rigorous skills development program spanning 10-weeks. Facilitated by Performing Lines, alongside specialist guest speakers, this industry-led program incorporates practical, hands-on learning around processes and procedures for producing works to the highest professional standard and is informed by Performing Lines’ methodology of learn-by-practice through the sharing of case studies and templates.

We noticed there was a lack of training programs for Producers outside of university study, so over the past few years we’ve been trying to change that with our producing platforms, residencies, and creative hubs. The NSW Producers Platform is specifically catered to NSW-based producers – both metropolitan and regional – with a view to create a resilient, flexible, and strong cohort of independent producers working within our state.

Important Dates

Monday May 15th 2023: Applications Open
Friday June 2nd, 2pm: Online Info Session Via Zoom – Click here to watch the recorded session (closed captions available)
Sunday June 25th 11:59pm 2023: Applications Close
From Monday July 17th: Applicants Notified
Friday September 8th: Program begins (running for 10 weeks)

Info Session

An information session for prospective producers was held at 2pm, 2 June, 2023 via zoom. The session was recorded and is viewable here. Closed captions are available in the video.

If you have any questions not addressed in the video please email via the producer details below.

Apply

Click here to apply to participate in the NSW Producer Platform.

To view a preview of the application form click here for a downloadable PDF.

Applications to participate in the NSW Producer Platform much close Sunday June 25th at 11;59pm.

Among the cohort, we will select at least 2 regionally based participants within NSW. We strongly encourage First Nations, CaLD and Western Sydney practitioners to apply, as well as people with a disability.

For more information phone or email Performing Lines NSW Producer Jane Schon at her contact details listed below.

Year One

This program will be delivered in partnership with numerous NSW companies including, but not limited to:

Contemporary Asian Australian Performance (Sydney)
National Theatre of Parramatta (Western Sydney)
Shopfront Arts Co-Op (Sydney)
NORPA (Regional NSW)
Utp (Western Sydney)
Griffin Theatre Company (Sydney)
Campbelltown Arts Centre (Western Sydney)

These partners represent a range of producing contexts across the sector, with the aim of expanding the participants’ understanding of the broader NSW ecology. Spanning 10 weeks, including both online and in-person gatherings, the program will cover topics such as:

The role of a Producer
Policies, guidelines, and contracts
Securing funding
Development and maintenance of effective budgets
Market development strategies
Marketing
Community engagement and audience development
Evaluation frameworks
Touring

Sessions will be run weekly, with one 2-3hr online session per week for 10 weeks beginning on Friday September 8th and finishing by early to mid November. Additional readings and takeaway resources/templates will also be provided. The program will conclude with a two-day intensive in Sydney (travel and accommodation for regional participants will be provided for these sessions).

The platform purposefully blends online and in-person intensives to promote a democracy of access for participants in different locations through NSW, while also providing opportunities for connection, deeper discussion and in-person networking with platform peers and industry guests.

Each participant will also be paired with a mentor with the intention of seeding a relationship that can continue beyond this program, furthering the opportunity for participants to build an ongoing network of industry peers.

Lismore City Hall, one of the primary venues of NORPA.

Riverside Theatres, the home of National Theatre of Parramatta.

Year Two

In Year 2, a small group of the Producer Platform participants will be selected to undertake a paid placement at a partner organisation. Aligned to a project, this opportunity provides an embedded career development pathway for the participating producers and a timely and direct opportunity to apply the learnings from the producer platform in a real-world context. Performing Lines will lead the matchmaking of each producer and organisation, informed by the ambitions and interests of both parties. Each participant in Year 2 will also be supported to attend an industry conference or market, furthering their professional development, and providing additional opportunities to build a robust network of industry peers that will exist beyond the duration of this program.

Information for Participants and Partners

Participants and prospective partners of the NSW Producers’ Platform can contact producer Jane Schon for more information on the application process, the details of the platform, and ways to support and engage with the development of local producer networks in NSW.