The Melbourne-based company announces the fixture of their collaborative writer-director initiative, Co.Lab.

Malthouse Theatre’s Co.Lab, a creative theatrical initiative pairing together writers and directors for a series of workshops over three months, is returning in 2016. The pilot of the scheme was so successful last year that Malthouse has announced it will be a regular fixture of the company’s growing programme.

“The four pairs we’ve recently been working with are all people that I would never have thought of putting together. They all self-selected and they’re really eclectic,” said Malthouse artistic director Matthew Lutton in an interview with the Sydney Morning Herald. “That’s really thrilling. They all push each other and it shows that if you throw out initiatives to the sector what you get back is quite special.”  

Based in The Coopers Malthouse building in Southbank, Melbourne’s growing arts precinct, Malthouse Theatre is dedicated to supporting Australian playwrights and performers. The Co.Lab initiative is part of a larger suite of creative opportunities that Malthouse offers as a result of ongoing philanthropic support. In October of last year, the Copyright Agency awarded Malthouse $45,000 over three years to fund the new collaborative program uniting writers and directors.

The Besen Family Artist Program is one of the other creative initiatives available, offering five paid mentorships for independent artists in theatrical disciplines to work within the company alongside a senior mentor in their area of interest, including lighting design, set design and building, sound design and composition, costume design and wardrobe and prop realisation, directing and dramaturgy.

The Tower Residences allows established artists to develop work alongside others in the Tower Theatre, supported by stipends and salaries.

Read about Malthouse Theatre’s 2016 season, tickets are available through the Company’s website.