SEYMOUR CENTRE WELCOMES CRITICAL STAGES AS NEW RESIDENT COMPANY

Critical Stages, the national professional organisation for independent theatre, is the latest arts organisation to take up residency in the Seymour Centre.

This takes the number of resident companies at the popular, multi-venue arts centre to four, joining with Shaun Parker and Co, chronology arts and SIMA Jazz.

In recent years Critical Stages has become Australia’s leading producer of touring theatre from the independent theatre sector. In the past six years the company has toured fourteen productions by some of the country’s leading independent theatre practitioners.

Critical Stages was established in 2005 as an initiative of Darlinghurst Theatre Company, with core funding initially from Arts NSW and then with triennial initiative funding from the Australia Council from 2009-2011. In January 2011 Critical Stages separated from Darlinghurst Theatre Company to form as a separate not-for-profit company limited by guarantee, with a dedicated management staff and board of Directors.

In 2012 Critical Stages has three productions on the road performing in all states of Australia: THE FLOOD
by Jackie Smith (co-produced with Finucane & Smith); the award winning BOY GIRL WALL by The Escapists, performed by Lucas Stibbard and SYNCOPATION by Allan Knee (co-produced with The Follies Company). This is supplemented by an annual program of work dedicated to touring to the community presenter circuit throughout regional and remote NSW.

It is with great excitement that the Seymour welcomes Critical Stages into our building. In many ways this residency is a natural fit: Over the past few years the Seymour has become home to many successful independent theatre productions, often as part of one of Sydney’s cultural festivals or our own Reginald season of independent works. I look forward to developing future projects with Critical Stages and showcasing them here at the Seymour before they head off to tour the country – Tim Jones Artistic Director Seymour Centre

Critical Stages is delighted to take up residence at The Seymour Centre. As we grow our horizons and offer further opportunities to give future life to independent theatre productions from around the country it is vital to do so from an important artistic hub. Our new home at The Seymour Centre will give us the infrastructure to offer independent artists more support and we look forward to using it as springboard to see their productions find new audiences – Luke Cowling, Artistic Director/CEO, Critical Stages

The Seymour Centre - www.seymourcentre.com

Located in the heart of Sydney University, the Seymour Centre champions cultural exploration and audience engagement. The Centre presents an eclectic mix of the best of contemporary performing arts and encourages participation from audiences across all Sydney communities.

Critical Stages – www.criticalstages.com.auCritical Stages nurtures and supports independent artists, working together to bring exceptional experiences to audiences everywhere. Our vision is to drive a continuous transformation of the performing arts landscape by championing independent theatre.