The National Theatre of Parramatta (NTofP) aims to source, commission and create diverse, bold and engaging theatre for audiences in Western Sydney and beyond. We encourage artists and creators, both those we know and those we have yet to meet, to attend our open auditions and pitch sessions held each May. New projects may be considered for production by the Company’s Directorate.

OPEN AUDITIONS – Tuesday May 17
The Open Auditions are an opportunity for NTofP to meet and become aware of the pool of talent that is in Western Sydney, with a view to consideration for future productions. These auditions provide an opportunity for the Directorate and company to meet you and where appropriate advise Directors of people for consideration for audition in our future productions.

OPEN PORTFOLIO (for Creatives) – Wednesday May 18
The Open Portfolio is an opportunity for NTofP to meet and become aware of the pool of creative talent that is in Western Sydney, with a view to consideration for future productions. This is an opportunity for set, lighting, sound, costume designers, dramaturgs and other creative to discuss their work and goals for the future. Through this process we will be able to consider you for our productions.

PARRAPITCH –  Wednesday May 18
ParraPitch is an opportunity for creators with ideas to discuss these with NTofP. The ParraPitch provides a platform for the creator to engage the directorate in a new production.
If the directorate are interested in your idea they may invite the creator to an extract showing. It is envisaged that ideas from ParraPitch may progress to development stage.

National Theatre of Parramatta aims to create theatre that reflects contemporary Australia and Western Sydney in all its diversity and complexity appealing to both new and existing theatre audiences. National Theatre of Parramatta is putting the nation on stage. National Theatre of Parramatta was launched on November 19, 2015. As well as offering entertaining and innovative programs, National Theatre of Parramatta will champion artist development, educational opportunities and mentoring programs.  Visit our website for more information www.nationaltheatreofparramatta.com.au

Leading National Theatre of Parramatta is a directorate of four arts professionals with a wealth of creative and cultural experience. The team is joined by international producer, Joanne Kee. National Theatre of Parramatta will raise the profile of performance and engage the imagination and creative ideas of Western Sydney, across the nation and ultimately internationally.

DIRECTORATE AND EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
Annette Shun Wah
Annette Shun Wah is a producer, writer, actor and broadcaster, best known for ABC and SBS television shows such as The Noise, Eat Carpet and Studio 22. Annette is Executive Producer of Performance 4a which brings contemporary Asian Australian performance to main stage venues and festivals including the 2014 Sydney Festival hit The Serpent’s Table, the multi-artform work Yasukichi Murakami – Through A Distant Lens and the theatrical storytelling show Stories Then & Now.

Paula Abood
Paula is a writer, creative producer and community cultural development practitioner.  She has written and directed for performance, radio, publications and film. Paula was awarded the 2007 Western Sydney Artists’ Fellowship for the blogging project Race and the City and was the 2013 recipient of the Australia Council’s Ros Bower Award for lifetime achievement in community cultural development practice. She has worked with culturally diverse communities on creative projects in Western Sydney for over two decades.

S. Shakthidharan
Shakthi is a writer/director of theatre and film; and musician and composer of original music, based in Western Sydney. His work has been shown at Sydney Film Festival, Carriageworks, Parramasala, Ten Days on the Island and Floating Land Festivals. He is the Founder and Artistic Director of CuriousWorks and Associate Artist at Carriageworks from 2013-2015. In 2011 Shakthi was awarded the Kirk Robson by Australia Council for the Arts, given to an artist for their work in relation to social justice and community cultural leadership.

Wayne Harrison AM
Wayne is a former artistic director/CEO of Sydney Theatre Company, as well as Creative Director of Sydney’s New Year’s Eve celebrations on Sydney Harbour and the Director of the Closing Ceremony for the Melbourne Commonwealth Games. He produced and directed one of the first productions at Riverside, Othello, and has continued his association over the years with productions such as Codgers, RU4Me?, Shellshock and the Parramac festival. Wayne is currently Chief Creative Officer for Spiegelworld International; productions he has directed for SW include: Absinthe, Desir, Empire (all in New York), Vegas Nocturne (in Las Vegas) and Absinthe (in Miami and LV). The production of Absinthe at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas is now in its fifth year.

Joanne Kee
Joanne was co-Artistic Director and founder of the Sydney International Women’s Jazz Festival, Artistic Director at Sydney Improvised Music Association, General Manager of The Song Company, Business Manager of Programming Sydney Opera House, ran a national contemporary music touring project, Sound Travellers, set up creative development and performances residencies for artists and has also worked at the Arts Council of England and Carnivale, multicultural arts festival.  As a producer she tours internationally award winning work.  She is on the board of Music Australia, Sydney Fringe Festival and the Glebe Chamber of Commerce. She was Chair of Ausdance NSW and chair of the working Group that set up Critical Path.