*** In this unprecedented time, when our industry is in free-fall, we at Watch This are doing our utmost to survive and continue to deliver work for artists and audiences. If you have means, we humbly invite our patrons and supporters to consider a timely tax-deductible donation towards our ongoing operation. This year will be an exceptional challenge for vulnerable independent organisations like ours - many fighting not to go under - so your generous support would go a very long way. ***
Australia's first and only Sondheim repertory company, Watch This is a bold, grass-roots organisation presenting outstanding, sophisticated musical theatre to audiences in Melbourne and regional Victoria. Our ambition and commitment to the highest production/ performance standards attract teams of wonderfully talented artists and creatives.
Heading into our ninth year, we've garnered an enviable reputation in a highly competitive field, boasting eighteen Green Room Award nominations alongside multi-million dollar commercial and state sponsored productions, with Adrian Li Donni (Pacific Overtures, 2014) and Johanna Allen (A Little Night Music, 2018) winning Best Supporting Actor and Actress respectively. (Check out the latest round of Green Room Award nominations here.) We have also broken ground by successfully touring full-scale musicals to regional centres.
We are passionate about creating exciting, immediate theatrical experiences for theatre-goers. We are also committed to ensuring that these experiences are available to as many people as possible - a philosophy that informs the relatively simple matter of ticket pricing to more complex touring proposals.
Past productions include Assassins, Pacific Overtures, Company, Merrily We Roll Along, A Little Night Music starring Nadine Garner and John O'May and most recently, Sunday in the Park with George. All projects to date have been made possible by the generosity of the Lyngala Foundation and other visionary individuals/ organisations, including the Opera & Arts Support Group and Robert Salzer Foundation. Since 2016, Watch This has recently been included on the Register of Cultural Organisations - an incredible endorsement of our contribution to the sector.
To Support our dynamic and visionary organisation, we invite you to make a tax deductible donation today!
Over the past three months in lockdown, we've had to make a difficult decision about the viability of our fast approaching February/ March season. Our artistic team grappled with the health risks around large gatherings indoors and the uncertainties with respect to restrictions. Straddling these risks is a particularly precarious proposition for a company of our size and resources. Ultimately, we made a call in consultation with our cast, creative team, venue and licensing partners to postpone Into the Woods.
Our new season dates are 23 October - 7 November 2021. If you have pre-purchased tickets, we will be in touch to organise new ticketing or a refund, as required. Alternatively, you can contact us at contact@watchthis.net.au to make arrangements.
Our digital translation of The Art of Making Art is still live, your 'backstage pass' into creative worlds of our five incredible costume designers - Crisanne Fox, Chloe Greaves, Zoë Rouse, Emily Collett and Rhiannon Irving - with production photography by the wonderful Jodie Hutchinson. View the latest episode here or start at the beginning, to follow in sequence. Each episode is 7-9 minutes and we have been thrilled by the response of our colleagues and peers, including Fortyfivedownstairs, TheatreWorks, Whitehorse Centre, West Gippsland Arts Centre, MTC Education and Drama Victoria. It truly is a love letter to the performing arts at a dark time.