Theatre Works proudly unveils it’s 2026 season – a bold, expansive and artist-driven program featuring more than 50 productions across the Theatre Works Precinct.
At the same time the organisation will also announce the departure of Executive Director Dianne Toulson, who will step down in July 2026 after eight years in the role.
Under Dianne’s leadership, Theatre Works has transformed from an organisation facing significant challenges into a thriving multi-venue precinct, achieving the highest box office in its 45-year history in 2025, and expanding its national and international artistic reach.
Her planned departure, announced with a long lead time, will allow for a smooth, considered transition as the organisation continues its momentum into the next phase.
While the leadership transition marks an important moment, the focus of this announcement is the extraordinary scope and ambition of the 2026 program, Theatre Works’ most expansive season to date.
“It felt important that my transition aligns with the momentum of the organisation,” adds Dianne Toulson.
“The 2026 season is one of the most ambitious in Theatre Works’ history; a celebration of artists, diversity, inclusion, and the extraordinary creative community that surrounds this precinct. This program reflects everything we’ve worked for: stability, vision, bravery, and a future that belongs to the artists.”
The 2026 season features:
- Back-to-back programming all year, following the proven success of 2025
- A powerful mix of new Australian work, reimagined classics, musicals, festivals and experimental performance
- A Midsumma program featuring nine productions across both venues
- A revitalised Fresh Works season, showcasing bold and exciting new ideas
- Three VCE Playlist works
- Multiple regional tours launching from Theatre Works
- FutureStage: A Festival of Theatre and Ideas, activating both venues for two weeks
- A robust year of co-productions under the With Theatre Works program, supporting independent artists with financial backing, producing, technical, and marketing support
Across 2026, Theatre Works will stage more than 50 productions, including major premieres, large ensemble works, cutting-edge contemporary performance, musical theatre, international festival collaborations, and a line-up of powerhouse Australian playwrights.
The Theatre Works Precinct – comprising the Main Acland Street Theatre, the Explosives Factory, the TWiSK Rehearsal Space and the Black Box Outdoor Stage – will be alive and active throughout the entirety of 2026.
Highlights of the 2026 Theatre Works season include:
- Blackpill: Redux– a searing contemporary work, opening the year after a sell-out 2025 season
- Australian Open– the Theatre Works produced hit queer comedy headlines a jam-packed Midsumma program including Peter Pan: A Twinkle in Time, Campfire Unleashed, Disco is Dead, He Partied Like It’s 1999, Dead Mum, P*rn and more
- Robot Song, Beyond the Neck, Mara, Red Sky Morning, Lazarus, Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity, The Wolves and Lord of the Fliesare all major Theatre Works-produced works playing as a part of the By Theatre Works programming
- With Theatre Works Co-Productionsincluding Pokelesque, Beasts, The Effect, Sainting Joan, The Ballad of Dan O’Malley, Savages, Young Frankenstein, Crapbox, Timon of Athens and many more
- FutureStage – a precinct-wide festival celebrating ideas, innovation and the future of theatre
- Mid-Year Showcases across both venues, highlighting emerging talent and training pathways
The breadth of this programming is a testament to Theatre Works’ precinct model; a rare ecosystem supporting artists from development to premiere to touring. Celebrating a future driven by artists, the 2026 season solidifies Theatre Works as one of Australia’s most prolific independent theatre producers.
Continuing to support more than 600 artists each year and welcoming more than 30,000 visitors across its precinct, the organisation will continue to operate at full capacity throughout the transition period, with the Board currently reviewing the leadership structure that will best support Theatre Works’ long-term future and ongoing success.
Image: Dan Rabin
