State Theatre Company SA Launches SPARK Program and 2027 Season to Boost South Australian Artists
The State Theatre Company South Australia has introduced SPARK, a new initiative aimed at assisting local artists in transforming their concepts into mainstage productions, coinciding with the announcement of its 2027 season. Under the leadership of Artistic Director Petra Kalive, SPARK seeks to revitalize the struggling mid-tier theatre scene in Adelaide, which has been impacted by funding reductions. The program provides rehearsal facilities, venue access, mentorship, and ensures that 100% of box office proceeds go to the artists. The upcoming 2027 season features original Australian works, including Ray Lawler's Summer of the Seventeenth Doll, The Dark Matter of Usulal by Margaret J Harvey, An Iliad with David Wenham, and SPARK productions like Taylor Nobes' A Guide to Success in the Workplace. Additionally, Anthony Nocera's camp comedy-horror Log Boy will be performed from 1-10 October at the Adelaide College of the Arts.
Key facts
- Petra Kalive became Artistic Director and Co-CEO of State Theatre Company South Australia in early 2025.
- SPARK program provides artists with rehearsal space, venue, workshop and wardrobe access, producing support, mentorship, and 100% of box office revenue.
- The 2027 season includes two works developed as State Theatre Company SA commissions.
- Log Boy, written by Anthony Nocera and featuring Paul Capsis, runs from 1 to 10 October at Adelaide College of the Arts, Main Theatre.
- The 2027 season features a new staging of Ray Lawler's Summer of the Seventeenth Doll, directed by Petra Kalive.
- The Dark Matter of Usulal, a solo work by Margaret J Harvey, is presented in collaboration with Adelaide Festival.
- An Iliad returns for a national tour with David Wenham, after a sold-out Sydney Theatre Company season.
- SPARK productions in 2027 include Taylor Nobes' A Guide to Success in the Workplace and Luke Wiltshire's Squid.
Entities
Artists
- Petra Kalive
- Kath Fyffe
- Paul Capsis
- Anthony Nocera
- Margaret J Harvey
- Ray Lawler
- David Wenham
- Helen Svoboda
- Taylor Nobes
- Luke Wiltshire
- James Smith
- Michele Lee
- Henrik Ibsen
- Poppy Mee
- Alannah Sue
- Suzie Miller
- Jane Hammond
- Therèsa Borg
- Stephen A Russell
- Eddie Perfect
- Dean Bryant
Institutions
- State Theatre Company South Australia
- Adelaide Fringe
- Adelaide Festival
- ArtsHub
- Sydney Theatre Company
- Flinders University
- Smiling Bear
- Adelaide College of the Arts
- ScreenHub
- Creative Hubs Group
- Time Out Sydney
- Woodward Productions
- Malthouse Theatre
Locations
- Adelaide
- Australia
- South Australia
- Saibai
- Torres Strait
- Sydney
- Melbourne
- Brisbane