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.