2027 Program Applications

Program Applications will open for:

PLAY: Immerse (Metro and Regional), Explorations, Emerge, Slow Scratch.
FESTIVALS: La Mama’s Festival of Mother Tongues, La Mama x Melbourne Fringe Festival and Cultural Conservation in Action.

Note that La Mama Presents 2027 is fully programmed and La Mama Presents 2028 and beyond is programmed through PLAY applications – there is no separate process.

Applications for Emerge will open in 2027.

FaraDays will be programmed in collaboration with La Mamica curators and local business.

Application Details

KEY DATES:

Applications open on: Tuesday 1 September
Applications close on: Monday 19 October, 11.59pm.
Programming 2027 Connect Session: Monday 21 September, 6pm, La Mama Courthouse and online.
Notification of outcome: By Friday 18 December

If you have access needs and need support with the application process or would prefer to submit an application via video or another format upon negotiation, please contact Caitlin: [email protected], (03) 9347 6948.

NEW AUSTRALIAN WORK:

La Mama is committed to programming exclusively new Australian work. We are the incubator of generating new theatre, and we work with programmed artists and the industry to support sustainability, future developments and sector cohesion.

New work might have had a public sharing in progress but has never been staged as a full and finished production. New work might have source material and inspiration but is not an adaptation. New work might have a tour and future in planning, but has not premiered.

Australian work is created by the diverse artists and communities who live, work and play on this land.

ASSESSMENT PROCESS:

Artistic Director Caitlin Dullard oversees all programming with the following team:

IMMERSE applications will be assessed by alumni Keith Gow and Sarah Bell with Pathways Manager Myf Powell.

EXPLORATIONS applications will be assessed by alumni Amarantha Robinson and Vivian Nguyen with Caitlin Dullard.

Note that four Explorations are pre-programmed through previous processes and that 32 will be programmed through this process.

SLOW SCRATCH applications will be assessed by alumni Marni Mount and producer Emma Fawcett.

LA MAMA’S FESTIVAL OF MOTHER TONGUES will be assessed by alumni Nilesh Gadre and Producer Dora Abraham.

LA MAMA X MELBOURNE FRINGE FESTIVAL applications will be assessed by alumni Linnea Tengroth and Producer Nicki Jam.

CULTURAL CONSERVATION IN ACTION applications will be assessed solely by First Nations Producer Glenn Shea. Much of this programming will be done in Community.

EQUITY:

La Mama receives far more applications than we are able to program. It is important to us to strive for an equitable balance between fostering long-term relationships and creating opportunities for artists new to La Mama. Please note the following:

Artists can only submit one application per round. This means you can only be named as the primary artist once.
Artists can only be named as key creatives (eg. director, co-devisor) in two applications. This means someone else can submit an application and name you as co-creator.
It is fine to be named as a performer, dramaturg, designer or other role on multiple applications.
It is not possible to apply for the same program you were successful in the previous year. Ie. If you did an Explorations in 2026, you are not eligible to do one in 2027.
It is OK to re-apply for a project you were not successful in applying for in a previous year.
It is OK to apply for the same work for a different program. For example, you can apply for an Exploration 2027 for the same project you did for Immerse 2026.

Connect Sessions

We will hold two CONNECT sessions where you are welcome to speak to our producers and curators to assess where your work will best fit in our program. We strongly recommend any artists who are interested in submitting an application attend one of these sessions.

The first CONNECT session will be for any applicants on 10 November (both in person at La Mama Courthouse and livestreamed). The second will be for regional applicants interested in applying for IMMERSE only, on 13 November (online via zoom meeting).

La Mama Courthouse

Online

Connect: 2026 Program Application

Online

Connect: Immerse Regional Applications

LA MAMA’S PROGRAMMING

La Mama is never a venue for hire. Our programming is a considered and collaborative process that supports the slow development of work, as well as the personal and creative growth of artists.

In 2026, we introduced a revitalised programming structure designed to strengthen artist pathways and build on La Mama’s artist-led legacy - while responding to the current needs of artists, audiences, staffing, finances, and operations. This holistic model supports sustainability across the whole ecosystem.

Our Producer Model provides tailored support for artists, empowering them to understand where their work sits best within the La Mama framework and beyond. Programming decisions are guided by multiple curatorial voices including external rotating Alumni Assessors and La Mama Producers, with the Artistic Director leading the process.

We are deeply committed to transparency, equity, and the creation of new Australian work.

Through this process, La Mama will actively foster and support unheard voices, diversity, inclusion and equity of opportunity. We will not discriminate against individuals based on their backgrounds, characteristics or identities and are committed to rigorous reflection on any unconscious biases and our own positionality every step of the way.

It is important to reiterate that we receive far more applications than we can accommodate. We continue to strive towards a balance that supports both long-term artistic trajectory and new voices and opportunity.

We encourage all artists to engage with La Mama’s programs as audience members - to understand the breadth of work we support and to find the right home for your own.

See Program descriptions below and note that the artist deal varies pending funding and program focus.

PROGRAMMING MATRIX

Projects will be assessed on the following Programming Matrix:

Vision and Creative Qualities

• Is this bold work that represents as experimental edge, an important idea, an unheard voice, an urgent story, potential and/or playful possibilities?
• Are the artists curious, insightful, courageous, rebellious and/or responsive?
• Does the work reflect originality and/or ambition?
• Does the work align with La Mama’s vision: To inspire a theatre of possibility – creating life changing moments that transform individuals and lead the future of Australian storytelling.

Project Overview

• Does the applicant clearly describe the work or idea they wish to develop?
• Does the summary provide sufficient information about the stage of development: where it’s at to date and/or what development will occur from the opportunity?
• Is there a clear rationale for developing this work now and at La Mama?

Viability and Impact

• Are the planned outcomes or objectives for the artist clear?
• Is there demonstrated thought for audience?
• What impact does this work intend to have?

Overall Assessment

Strengths of the Proposal: What are the strongest elements of the applicant’s vision or approach?

Areas for Improvement: Are there any areas where more clarity or development is needed?

Program Recommended: Is this the right program for this application? Is there another program the work is better suited to?

Other Considerations: Is there anything about the applicant/s or work that needs further consideration?

Note that feedback on applications will be possible but due to high demand this might take some time.