About Us
ActNow Theatre is a South Australian theatre company that tailors socially conscious performance projects. We work with professional artists to engage diverse communities in conversations around challenging and contemporary issues.
Our projects have been critically acclaimed, commended in South Australian Parliament, and highly praised by audiences, participants and community organisations.
“Unique in the current Australian theatre climate.”
“This is the theatre I want more of.”
Our Vision
The democratisation and decolonisation of storytelling.
Our Mission
The stories we choose to tell
Creating interactive arts projects with social justice outcomes
Amplifying the voices of traditionally underrepresented communities
Who tells stories
Employing, empowering and championing First Nations, People of the Global Majority (People of Colour) and LGBTQIA+ artists
Providing career development opportunities for artists in our communities, including industry pathways beyond ActNow
How stories are told
Acknowledging our work takes place on the unceded lands of First Nations people, on which storytelling has continued for millennia
Respecting Country and climate
Contributing to Community Arts and Cultural Development (CACD) and artistic social practice methodologies
Engaging audiences with innovative and interactive methods; using online platforms, live performance and other emergent spaces
Presenting work in theatres, schools, workplaces, healthcare settings and community spaces
Valuing people over profit: fostering safe, accessible and sustainable spaces for artists, communities and audiences
Our Guiding Principles
Diversity
We need new artistic voices. We are committed to supporting artists who are marginalised, disadvantaged or underrepresented. Achieving diversity is a core tool for us to decolonise the arts industry, and requires us to provide affirmative action, constantly question our own privilege, enable universal access and recognise self-determination as integral to true empowerment.
Consultation
Rigorous consultation and CACD processes are at the heart of everything we do; whether that be through listening to our staff, artists, communities, stakeholders or partners. Consultation allows us to evolve progressively; implementing informed, responsive and effective change to improve our processes, our programs and the impact of our work.
Participation
Empowerment starts by taking part. We believe in theatre, as in democracy, representation isn’t enough. We need direct participation in political processes and universal access to arts as part of daily life. We break down barriers to participation by creating work in schools, workplaces, and public spaces. Our work is participatory democracy in a theatrical form, and we want it to help make education engaging, activism invigorating and citizenship empowering.
Sustainability
Our viability as an organisation is contingent on our sustainability; ensuring our staff and artists are supported (rather than burnt-out), growth is well resourced and impactful (rather than exponential and under-resourced), and that commitments to reduce our climate footprint are purposeful (rather than nominal and symbolic). A meaningful commitment to sustainability requires a de-capitalised approach, in which people and the planet are valued over capitalist markers of success. Prioritising sustainability signifies an investment into the future of our organisation, our artists, our society and our planet.
Excellence of Artistic Process
Our de-capitalised approach allows us to value process over product and heavily invest in the research, consultation, development, rehearsals and presentation of each project. The quality of our artistic process is enriched by investing in artists, through the residencies, workshops, professional development programs we provide to artists from our priority communities. The excellence of our artistic process gives our artists the time, skill, space, confidence and support to innovate their work and create brilliant art.
An Open Approach
We are open to learn, open to share, open to collaborate, open to conversation, and open to uncertainty. We don’t know the future or hold the answers. We see our work as building the conversations that matter to people, not ending them. Culture, identity, storytelling and relationships are things to explore, share and cultivate. Everything we have, we aim to make available and accessible to our communities and to the arts world, from our mistakes, our learnings to our equipment and resources.
Awards and recognition
2022: PAC Australia Impact Award
2021: Ruby Awards for ‘Best Work or Event Outside a Festival, shared with State Theatre Company SA
2021: Ruby Awards for Collaboration (Shortlisted)
2021: Governor’s Multicultural Arts and Culture Award
2020: The Governor's Multicultural Awards - Arts and Culture Award (Winner)
2018: Edwin Kemp Attrill, Australia Council Kirk Robinson Award for Community and Cultural Development
2018: Ruby Award for Outstanding Contribution by an Organisation or Group (Shortlisted)
2017 & 2018: Australian Human Rights Commission’s Racism. It Stops With Me (Shortlisted)
2017: Ruby Award for Community Impact under $100,000 (Shortlisted)
2015: Edwin Kemp Attrill, Ruby Award Geoff Crowhurst Memorial Award
2014: Governor’s Awards for Excellence in Multiculturalism
2013: Edwin Kemp Attrill, Channel 9 Young Achievers Award Proteus Career Leadership Award
