Northern Rivers Theatre-Makers Invited to Bring New Stories to Life
Storytellers, a new free development program from Byron Theatre Company, is giving local artists the time, funding and creative support to develop original theatre in the Northern Rivers.
Byron Theatre Company is proud to announce Storytellers, a new free two-stage program supporting Northern Rivers artists to create original Australian theatre. Offering dedicated creative time, mentorship and financial support for creators with new work in development, Expressions of Interest are now open.
Based at the Byron Community Centre, Byron Theatre Company champions locally made theatre. Storytellers marks a major expansion of the Byron Theatre Company’s artist development work, creating new pathways for regional theatre-makers to strengthen their practice and progress ambitious new work without leaving the Northern Rivers.
Funded by Create NSW’s Regional Partnerships program, Storytellers is built around a simple idea: great stories grow through collaboration, curiosity and time. Sponsored artists will have the opportunity to explore ideas, test their work, receive feedback and connect with other theatre-makers in a supportive environment.
“We want to support original theatre being made here in the Northern Rivers by the artists who call this region home,” said Bianca Sirianni, Creative Producer of Byron Theatre Company. “There is so much creative talent here, but developing new work takes time, space and support. Storytellers is about creating that opportunity and helping artists work out what their project needs next.”
Storytellers begins with a three-day Development Lab at Byron Theatre, where four selected projects will each receive $800, and access to mentoring, dramaturgical guidance, dedicated development time and professional photography.
Up to two projects will then progress to a five-day Project Residency, receiving an additional $2,500, continued creative support, access to Byron Theatre, technical assistance and the opportunity to present a work-in-progress showing.
Confirmed mentors for the Development Lab and Residencies include experienced producer and arts leader Jane Fuller and award-winning director Heather Fairbairn. Guest mentors, including acclaimed actor and director Wayne Blair, will also work with artists during the Residency stage.
Storytellers is open to creative teams developing original projects that are ready for their next stage of development, including new plays, devised theatre, physical theatre, contemporary performance and interdisciplinary work.
The program forms part of Byron Theatre Company’s growing commitment to artist development and new work, creating more opportunities for local artists to build their practice and make theatre in the region.
Artists who would like to talk through their project or find out whether Storytellers is the right fit are encouraged to contact Byron Theatre Company before applying,
Storytellers is supported by the NSW Government through Create NSW’s Regional Partnerships program.
EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST
Open: Now | Close: Sunday 1 November 2026 at 6pm AEDT
Applicants notified: By the end of November 2026
Development Lab: January 2027
Project Residencies: February–April 2027
Contact: Bianca Sirianni, Creative Producer - producer@byroncentre.com.au
Apply: byrontheatre.com - https://www.byroncentre.com.au/programs/storytellers
About Byron Theatre Company
Byron Theatre Company develops and presents original theatre, supports local artists and creates opportunities for theatre-making in the Northern Rivers to grow a connected and thriving theatre community in the region.
More information: byrontheatre.com
Support Byron Theatre (Byron Theatre Company): Donations can now be made online through the Byron Theatre fundraising page.
Support Byron Community Centre: Donations can also be made online through the Byron Community Centre donation page.