Qtopia Sydney – to become one of the largest Centre’s for Queer history and culture in the world – has introduced three brand new theatre spaces, as we prepare to open our doors in February 2024.
Artists are invited to submit their shows for 2024 productions in the new theatres. All are multi-genre in their programming and seek to highlight stories that reflect the queer experience, elevating the voices of artists with lived experience within the community. Qtopia Sydney also warmly welcomes allies and storytellers from all communities to share their live performances on our stages.
Following the success of our Live at The Bandstand pilot season that kicked off in February this year, the program is expanding in both footprint and scope to create Live at Qtopia Sydney.
The new program will encapsulate three spaces – The Bandstand, The Substation and the flagship theatre – The Loading Dock. The venues will be multi-genre, calling on works from artists that produce all kinds of performances – from theatre to dance, comedy and cabaret, music, musicals and drag, to play readings, book launches, poetry nights, magic and more!
Our beautiful Bandstand will continue its role of providing our most intimate space, with a capacity of 40 people at 301 Victoria Road Darlinghurst.
The brand-new Loading Dock, currently going through the approval and building process to facilitate opening in 2024, will be a 60 seat intimate blackbox theatre within Sydney’s Centre for Queer History and Culture. This flagship space can be found at 301 Forbes Street Darlinghurst.
Adjacent in Taylor Square, The Substation – an incredible partly sub-terranean new space steeped in historical notoriety, also traversing the approval and building process, will have a 50 seat capacity. This space will add to the magnificent theatre landscape that currently exists.
Director of Qtopia Sydney and much-loved NIDA qualified actor, Ian Roberts said, “The team at Qtopia Sydney have been working hard to create culturally unique programs and to ensure more stages are available to interested artists. Each of the spaces is truly unique and rich with history – in fact, all three are heritage listed.
“The three additional venues to Sydney’s theatre ecosystem will provide a new performance space of a size that is in critical demand in Sydney, particularly for emerging performers seeking to showcase their work to Sydney audiences.
“Our program serves to provide live engagement opportunities to extend the knowledge, empathy and understanding gained from a visit to our exhibitions, by provoking conversation through the mediums of live performance and events. It’s delivery of education in yet another format.”
With all three venues operational in 2024, Qtopia Sydney is currently calling on artists to submit their applications.
Qtopia Sydney Curator of Culture, Carly Fisher said, “In programming our 2024 seasons in each venue, we are excited to share stories from talented artists from across Australia – from early career artists to seasoned artists.
“The calibre of submissions received so far is exceptionally high, making clear the need for intimate independent theatre spaces in the heart of one of Sydney’s arts and culture hubs – Darlinghurst.
“We are proud that the stories shared on our stages will centre around inclusivity, empathy, understanding and community. We will have programming specific for children in the school holidays, as well as year-round high quality live performances.
“We also encourage artists who are participating in festivals, or who are touring around the country, to apply to continue their season in Sydney,” she concluded.
Applications are now open for all three spaces for the 2024 season. To read the Artist Information Pack and submit an application, visit http://qtopia24.local/live-at-the-bandstand/
Applications close midnight on 19 November 2023.
