“I’m convinced that the great periods of the theatre are typified by three things: one is great writing; two is great acting; but the third and often neglected element is great audience. If we can track where the audience is going, and if we can keep an eye on whether our skills can be mobilized in those (probably quite new) areas, we must.” John Romeril at Melbourne Workers Theatre forum, May 2004 In an innovative step, Arts Victoria is offering a new form of support for the booming small–medium and independent performing arts sector. Melbourne’s performance scene is widely regarded as the best in Australia and one of the best in the world. Arts Victoria is keen to ensure this energy is supported and nurtured. Theatre Alive will be launched on Monday 29 August at Theatreworks, St Kilda. Theatre Alive is a campaign and website dedicated to promoting Victoria’s vibrant small-medium performing arts companies (including dance, text-based and physical theatre, small-scale music and music theatre). Initiated by Arts Victoria, it is a first in terms of developing broad-based market support for a complete sector. It complements Arts Victoria’s grants funding, which provides over $2m annually to 50+ small – medium performing arts companies, largely to develop and stage content. The campaign was created in direct response to the explosion of talent currently taking place in Melbourne. There have been other great moments in this city’s theatre history, when a wave of exciting talent and ideas generated bursts of activity. Through this campaign, Arts Victoria hopes the current wave will be sustained and strong. The city is home to an extraordinary number of companies – over 65 at last count. Equally, diversity exists in the venues - which have sprung up in laneways, pubs, galleries and halls. These flourish alongside such perennial gems as LaMama and newer institutions such as Chunky Move Studios. The increased activity is driven by talented passionate and often-young entrepreneurs with a love of the arts. Strong support from Arts Victoria and local city councils have also been a catalyst. Theatre Alive will build on these strengths, by providing a promotional platform, while preserving the unique voice of each company. The campaign is designed to promote the intimacy and immediacy of live performance, the internet (www.theatrealive.com.au) and word of mouth as key tools. By helping audiences connect with what’s on each week, it will ensure that our small and independent companies become more than a well kept secret. As well as a good night out, it is the small-medium companies who create most of the new innovative performing arts work, feeding the wider industry with creative talent, ideas and styles of production. They are the biggest international exporters of performance and they provide significant access for the public. The Fringe, Comedy and Melbourne festivals flood our city with talent each year, but this exciting initiative will ensure that the sector is joined with key stakeholders, promoted, and assisted with resources year round for two years. No other campaign has allowed for this level of longevity.” Melbourne has long been a great city for the theatre – from the birth of an Australian theatrical voice in the 1950’s, to the Pram Factory days in the 1970s, through to the current wave. It is a place where performance and ideas matter, which continues to make Melbourne a great city. “The word is out on Melbourne’s theatre artists at the moment, demonstrated by success I’ve seen first hand in Dublin and other cities in the world. Innovative, artistically excellent, and entrepreneurial, young directors, writers and makers are carving out an important niche for Victorian arts on a global stage.” Vallejo Gantner, July 2005 “…there can only be a few cities in the world the size of Melbourne, that can offer anything like the range,. diversity and quality of theatre productions that we enjoy here.” Helen Thomson, THE AGE, 2004 This project is supported by the Victorian Government through the Community Support Fund and Arts Victoria

back to News list