30.10.25
Howdy Grif-friend,
Erica here, you caught me right before my three-week trip to Japan (brag—thanks Emily). But before I jet off, I’m beaming into your inbox to tell you about everything that’s on at Griffin this week and month. And there is a lot. Forgive me for skipping the trademark Griffin pleasantries and puns—there’s just that much happening it’s best I get right into it 🏃🏃🏃
First up, we’ve got Naturism on the brain! Ang Collins’s blazing new work opens tonight—so if you see an abundance of fluffy robes around Wharf 2 at Sydney Theatre Company, that’s us! Beyond the nude spectacle, this show is a wild situational comedy that will have you laughing until your belly aches and smiling so much your cheeks hurt. I won’t give any more away—you’ll just have to book a ticket and see it for yourself. We’re so intent on you experiencing this show, we seal your phone in an envelope for the performance. Hello off-grid theatre! Naturism runs strictly until 15 November, so you only have two more weeks to see it!
Speaking of opening nights, our intrepid Whitefella Yella Tree team opened their season at La Boite Theatre (23 October – 8 November) last Saturday on Turrbal and Jagera Land, Meanjin. If you’re up north and haven’t seen this heart-wrenching production—now’s the chance! If you’re one of our friends down south in Naarm, Dylan Van Den Berg’s award-winning play heads next to UMAC (13 – 15 November) on Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung and Bunurong Land, so get in early and get your tickets for its exclusive one-week run.
For our wordsmiths, we have two exciting opportunities open: Griffin Studio and the Suzie Miller Award. Griffin Studio is our 15-year-strong artist development program and we’re looking for three early-career playwrights to join the ranks of artists like Dylan, Michelle Lim Davidson, Jorjia Gillis and many more. And for mid-career playwrights, we have the Suzie Miller Award. Suzie Miller is a name synonymous with writing excellence and she is keen to support another mid-career playwright write a daring, knotty, innovative work. As the home of new playwriting, I’m incredibly proud to say that these creative opportunities are funded—cementing the importance of sustainable creative work. Find our more about these amazing programs on our Artist Development Programs page.
Now, from the mid-career to the burgeoning. For anyone who is (or knows) a budding theatre-lover going into years 10-12, our Griffin Ambassadors program is now open for 2026 applications. Having previously worked at a youth theatre company and been a young drama lover myself, this program is one I love to see thrive. Ambassadors is a free program that allows young people to access Griffin’s world-class productions, as well as exclusive Q&As after each of our Main Season shows and associated drama and theatre workshops with professional artists. For any highschooler who is interested in pathways to a career in the performing arts—or just really! loves! theatre!—I cannot recommend this program more.
Amidst all that excitement, it’s still business as usual at Griffin. For us, “business as usual” is anything but. Last week alone, we were fortunate enough to show Kerri Glasscock, Executive Director of Create NSW, Tanya Plibersek, Minister for Social Services and the Hon Catherine King MP, Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government around the construction site for the new theatre. So, we ushered them six metres below ground level and into the sandstone pit that will soon transform into our onsite rehearsal room. It was quite magical to show them the incredible progress that has been made on the redevelopment—surrounded by saws and diggers and watching concrete being poured, there was a palpable excitement for what the future of Griffin holds. It makes working alongside the drilling worth it! If you’re keen for updates on the new building and its progress, make sure you sign up for our dedicated Redevelopment eNews.
Bubbling away under all of that (yes, there’s more! I warned you! Gold star if you’ve made it this far!) is our 2026 Season. We have a year stacked with seven of the best Australian shows (a clearly not biased opinion) that you certainly should run, not walk, to see. We’re cooking up some great things for 2026, but until general release tickets go on sale, the best way to secure your seat in 2026 is with an annual subscription package. It means you get the best (and cheapest) prices, offers and discounts with our partners and, of course, you’ll be at the forefront of supporting new Australian writing. Not to mention, you’ll make this Marketing Manager very happy. 😉 If you’ve not started to sort out Christmas presents, dare I say, a subscription makes a great one.
But subscriptions are not the only way to support Griffin and bold storytelling. If you’re in a position to donate, we’d love for you to be one of our Monthly Mates! It’s easy, convenient and shows your ongoing dedication to new Australian storytelling. No donation is too small, as it allows us to do what we do best—create great new Australian theatre.
850 words and some shameless plugs later, that’s all from me! High school me would be envious of that word count. With two shows, three creative programs and one mammoth season on the boil, it’s time for me to trade the hustle and bustle of Griffin for the hustle and bustle of Tokyo. Catch me eating my body weight in ramen and catch you on the flip side (or in a foyer soon)!
Love,
E
Erica Penollar
Marketing Manager
