National Theatre of Parramatta bursts onto the theatre scene creating 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.
It is not every day that a new Australian theatre company opens its doors, but after many years of planning, National Theatre of Parramatta was launched November 19 as a major contributor to the nation’s artistic landscape. As well as offering entertaining and innovative programs, National Theatre of Parramatta will champion artist development, educational opportunities and mentoring programs.
Resident at Riverside Theatres, National Theatre of Parramatta will join the existing and vibrant Western Sydney artistic community. It will be a principal arts organisation contributing to the dynamic growth of Western Sydney – the fastest growing region in Australia. In recognition of the creative capacity of Western Sydney, National Theatre of Parramatta has received financial investment from Arts NSW, Parramatta City Council and Crown Resorts Foundation.
Leading National Theatre of Parramatta is a directorate of four arts professionals with a wealth of creative and cultural experience. They are: S. Shakthidharan (currently founder and Director of CuriousWorks and Associate Artist at Carriageworks), Annette Shun Wah (currently Executive Producer of Performance 4a), Wayne Harrison AM (currently Chief Creative Officer for Spiegelworld International) and Paula Abood (community cultural development writer and creative producer). The team is joined by international producer, Joanne Kee (former Artistic Director for Sydney Improvised Music Association, Business Manager for Programming at Sydney Opera House) as Executive Producer.
“National Theatre of Parramatta aspires to create bold, contemporary works that draw their inspiration from the rich diversity and untold stories of Western Sydney and beyond, adding to our cultural landscape a company that truly reflects the nation on stage,” said Annette Shun Wah.
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.