The National Play Summit: National Conversations, Local Activations
Australian Plays Transform (APT), Riverside’s National Theatre of Parramatta (NTofP) and La Mama are thrilled to announce their partnership for the The National Play Summit 2025, a landmark industry gathering dedicated to advancing Australian play development.
Designed to ignite thought-provoking discussions and foster meaningful dialogue around theatre and play development across Australia and beyond, The Summit will bring together theatre practitioners, industry leaders, and emerging voices for a dynamic week of conversation, collaboration, and innovation .
Featuring curated panel discussions, and live-streamed sessions the Summit aims to amplify diverse voices, showcase innovative work, and foster national and international connections in the theatre sector.
“The National Play Summit is an exciting initiative that will shape the future of Australian theatre. This partnership ensures that conversations about new work and industry innovation remain inclusive, accessible, and forward-thinking.” – Erin Taylor, CEO/Executive Producer, Australian Plays Transform
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Program
Watch this space! More events are being announced over the coming days.
Young Arts (Run Free!)
Overview
Where are youth arts at right now? What opportunities are out there for young people looking to join the industry?
This free online panel brings together Australia’s leading youth arts organisations to share their approach to creating work with young people across Australia, the stories that the next generation of theatre makers are bursting to tell and how you can get involved.
Panellists: Hayden Tonazzi (ATYP), Natalie Rose (Shopfront Arts Co-op), Amelia Burke (WAYTCo) and Sarah Parsons (Outback Theatre for Young People).
Host: Pratha Nagpal.
Dates & Times
Event: Panel
Date: Thursday, 26 June
Time: 7:15pm – 8:15pm AEST
Location: Online
Arts and AI: where do we start?
Overview
Art and AI — where do we start? This panel brings together artists and researchers to discuss how AI is intersecting with their creative work. We ask how they’re exploring AI in ethics, creative tools, and dramaturgy.
Panellists: Nick Atkins (Playwrights & Researcher), Roshelle Yee Pui Fong and Matthew Ngamurarri Heffernan (Co-writers of Robot Dog), Dr. Richard Jordan (Senior Lecturer in Theatre & Performance, UNE)
Host: Joe Hepworth (Head of Writing, NIDA)
Dates & Times
Event: Panel
Date: Tuesday, 24 June
Time: 5:30pm – 6:30pm AEST
Location: Online
Write Together, Rise Together
Overview
A Digital Body Doubling Writing Session.
Sometimes you just need to show up and write — but not alone. Inspired by Suzan Lori Parks’ “Watch Me Work“, this is a chance to sit alongside another playwright (virtually), get some bloody writing done, and have a chat at the end. No pitches, no pressure — just you, your words, and a little accountability.
Got a deadline? Been procrastinating? Need to kick something back into gear? Bring whatever you’re working on. We’ll write for 30 minutes, then open for a casual Q&A on writing practice, process and all the things that come with trying to get words on the page.
Show up. Write. Talk.
Dates & Times
Event: Activity
Date: Mon-Thursday
Time: various times afternoon-evening (see ‘featured playwrights’ tab for each session time!)
Location: Online
Featured Playwrights + Sessions
Augusta Supple – Monday 23 June, 4:30-5:30pm AEST
Jules Orcullo – Wednesday 25 June, 1-2pm AEST
Michele Lee – Thursday 26 June, 12-1pm AEST
Local Activations
Riverside’s National Theatre of Parramatta – NSW
Australian Plays Transform (APT) and Riverside’s National Theatre of Parramatta (NTofP) are thrilled to announce their partnership for The National Play Summit 2025 and Heartland Festival, a landmark industry gathering dedicated to advancing new Australian play development.
Operating from the geographic heart of Sydney, National Theatre of Parramatta (NTofP) is the creating, commissioning, producing, touring and capacity building arm of Riverside Theatres. Known for producing bold, popular, contemporary works that draw their inspiration from the rich diversity of the region and beyond.
In 2025 National Theatre of Parramatta (NTofP) presents their inaugural Heartland Festival, a celebration of the artists and communities that make the heartland of Sydney such a special place to make, create and share live theatre. Full of playful events and ground-breaking writing, this dynamic fortnight of programming is full of big stories and big heart.
On June 28 the National Theatre of Parramatta (NTofP) will be the local hub for The National Play Summit which will bring together theatre practitioners, industry leaders, and emerging voices for a dynamic day of conversation, collaboration, and innovation.
La Mama – VIC
La Mama is Australia’s most vital, responsive, inclusive and diverse home of independent theatre-making. A vibrant space and prolific production house, La Mama has given initial exposure and support to thousands of playwrights, directors, actors, and technicians as well as poets, musicians, performance artists and experimental film-makers.
On June 28 La Mama will be the local Victorian hub for The National Play Summit which will bring together theatre practitioners, industry leaders, and emerging voices for a dynamic day of conversation, collaboration, and innovation.
Please note that due to venue capacity, in person attendance is limited however we encourage local watch parties.
