As a commitment to nurturing artists we provide a number of fellowships and residencies.
THE BALNAVES FOUNDATION ABORIGINAL AND TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER FELLOWSHIP
Apply today for the 2027 Balnaves Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Fellowship
Applications for the 2027 Balnaves Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Fellowship are now open!
The Balnaves Foundation and Belvoir St Theatre are committed to supporting new work by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander theatre artists.
This Fellowship is open to both playwrights to write a new play and to directors or writer/directors that can lead the creation of a new Indigenous-led stage work, whether that be a new play, an adaptation or a new work developed through a devised process. It also includes an invitation to have a voice in Belvoir’s artistic decision-making processes.
The Fellowship provides the Fellow the opportunity to work at Belvoir as a resident artist to create their work, subject to negotiation with the Fellow’s availability and location.
Term: 2 years part-time
Salary: The Fellow receives a part-time artistic salary, full commission, and creative resourcing to the total value of $85,000 across two-years.
Location: Belvoir St Theatre, Surry Hills (NSW)
Start date: January 2027
Deadline: 6pm (AEDT) Monday 9 November 2026
“The Balnaves Fellowship has been imperative in my journey of sinking my teeth into the world of theatre. As someone who has watched for many years but didn’t know I could be part of this space, I’ve found the experience useful and further developed my love for the arts and creating. I’ve been working on a rom-com during my time and watching every type of show I can to figure out what that script will look like… And I’m also looking forward to performing my first show in January with Sydney Festival and Belvoir, Up Late with Bianca Hunt, where a whole team of Blak Women creatives are leading the way. If you think this Fellowship is for you, go for it and if you don’t know if you’re the right fit, go for it too!! You never know what’s on the other side.” – Bianca Hunt, 2026 Balnaves Foundation Fellow.
How To Apply:
Download the expression ofinterest form and the guidelines below to start your application, or email [email protected] to request these documents be sent to you.
Applications must include:
A completed expression of interest form;
A current resume (maximum 2 pages);
An outline of your motivation for applying, and how the Fellowship might be of benefit, and what areas of the company’s operations are of interest to participate in and experience. For example, literary/dramaturgy, play-reading, programming, rehearsal, production (maximum 1 page);
An outline of the new work you are proposing (maximum 5 pages). Please refer to the Frequently Asked Questions in the guidelines document for more information on what we encourage you to include in your outline/pitch;
If applying as a playwright or writer/director, a sample of your writing (minimum 5 – maximum 20 pages). Writing samples could include an excerpt from a full-length play, a short play, poetry, songs, or prose in any genre. The excerpt does not have to be from the work you are proposing;
If applying as a director, footage, stills and/or reviews of your work (maximum 15 minutes).
CRITERIA
Applicants must be of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent;
Applicants may submit one expression of interest only per round;
Applicants are asked to nominate if they are applying as a playwright or as a director or writer/director.
ASSESSMENT
The panel will be comprised of Indigenous and non-Indigenous artists and a member of Belvoir’s Artistic & Programming staff.
Applicants who are shortlisted will be required to attend a meeting in person or remotely with the panel.
The full panel and the Belvoir Artistic Director will decide the Fellowship recipient.
For 15 years, The Balnaves Foundation has partnered with Belvoir St Theatre to deliver this important program. We’re deeply grateful for their industry-leading support and enduring commitment to Indigenous theatre artists and storytelling.
2026 – Bianca Hunt 2025 – Hannah Belanszky 2023 – Guy Simon 2022 – Dalara Williams 2021 – Thomas Weatherall 2020 – Jorjia Gillis 2019 – Nathan Maynard 2018 – Kodie Bedford 2017 – Megan Wilding 2016 – Ursula Yovich 2015 – Katie Beckett 2014 – Leah Purcell 2013 – Jada Alberts 2012 – Nakkiah Lui
TESTIMONIALS
The platform that the Balnaves Fellowship has created for me has really helped expand my vision as a theatre maker, and has given me access to some of strongest creatives in the country. I’ve been able to participate in creative discussions and observe rehearsal room processes that, as an actor, I would normally not have access to. An opportunity like this is rare and I would strongly recommend to any mob out there looking to level up on their artistic journey.
– Guy Simon, 2023 Balnaves Fellow
THE 2026 ANDREW CAMERON FELLOWSHIP
Since its inception in 2017, the Fellowship has been a vital part of Belvoir, made possible through the generous support of our former Chair, Andrew Cameron AM, and his wife Cathy Cameron. The role reflects Andrew’s enduring commitment to nurturing new talent and supporting the next generation of theatre-makers and arts leaders. Through the Fellowship, his generosity continues to shape the creative future of Belvoir and the broader arts community.
“I’m passionate about succession in the arts and I believe it is essential for the industry’s ongoing success that emerging leaders have the opportunity to work within thriving companies like Belvoir. It’s no mistake that many Artistic Directors come from more junior positions in programming teams as there is no replacing that hands-on experience.” Andrew Cameron.
2026 – Mehhma Malhi 2024 – Margaret Thanos 2022 – Abbie-lee Lewis 2020 – Hannah Goodwin 2018 – Carissa Licciardello
BELVOIR HOUSEMATES
Housemates is an attachment program centred on building the next cohort of artistic leaders. As a Housemate they will have open access to Belvoir’s process in making a mainstage show. The program fosters a shared experience of how work is made, supported, and sustained at scale as well as integration into the company so that Housemates enter the industry as holistic practitioners.
ALOMA BARNES
2026/27 HOUSEMATE COSTUME ASSOCIATE The Coconut Children
Deborah was last at Belvoir in Company B’s Greek Tragedy. Other theatre credits include: Wicked Sisters
(Griffin), Lady Tabouli (National Theatre Of Parramatta/Sydney Festival), Gods Of Strangers (State Theatre
Company South Australia), The God Committee, Heartbreak Kid (Ensemble/tours), The Shearston Shift (Sydney
Theatre Company/Australian People’s Theatre/tours), I’m With Her, The Mystery of Love & Sex (Darlinghurst
Theatre Company), Metamorphoses (Apocalypse/Old Fitz), Unfinished Works, Homesick (Bontom), Seagull
(Secret House), Mum’s The Word (Burberry Productions/Australian tours/SOH Playhouse/Glen Street), Dropped
(The Goods Theatre Company/Old Fitz), House of Ramon Iglesia (MopHead/Old Fitz), A Kind of Alaska,
Suddenly Last Summer, Hotel Hibiscus (NIDA company), Antigone (Sport For Jove), Boswell for the Defence
(Sydney Festival), Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (theatrongroup). Television credits: Children’s
Hospital, My Place, Police Rescue, G.P., Pulse, Rake, Redfern Now (ABC), Camp (NBC/Matchbox), Murder Call
(Nine Network), A Country Practice, All Saints, Home and Away (Seven Network). Film credits: Chasing
Comets, Balls, Boys From The Bush, Cavity, Inside Out, No Worries, The Premonition, and Razzle Dazzle. A
NIDA, Trinity College London, and Sydney University graduate, Deborah’s been nominated for several Sydney
Theatre Awards, and is a proud MEAA Member since 1990.
Deborah GalanoS
Deborah was last at Belvoir in Company B’s Greek Tragedy. Other theatre credits include: Wicked Sisters
(Griffin), Lady Tabouli (National Theatre Of Parramatta/Sydney Festival), Gods Of Strangers (State Theatre
Company South Australia), The God Committee, Heartbreak Kid (Ensemble/tours), The Shearston Shift (Sydney
Theatre Company/Australian People’s Theatre/tours), I’m With Her, The Mystery of Love & Sex (Darlinghurst
Theatre Company), Metamorphoses (Apocalypse/Old Fitz), Unfinished Works, Homesick (Bontom), Seagull
(Secret House), Mum’s The Word (Burberry Productions/Australian tours/SOH Playhouse/Glen Street), Dropped
(The Goods Theatre Company/Old Fitz), House of Ramon Iglesia (MopHead/Old Fitz), A Kind of Alaska,
Suddenly Last Summer, Hotel Hibiscus (NIDA company), Antigone (Sport For Jove), Boswell for the Defence
(Sydney Festival), Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (theatrongroup). Television credits: Children’s
Hospital, My Place, Police Rescue, G.P., Pulse, Rake, Redfern Now (ABC), Camp (NBC/Matchbox), Murder Call
(Nine Network), A Country Practice, All Saints, Home and Away (Seven Network). Film credits: Chasing
Comets, Balls, Boys From The Bush, Cavity, Inside Out, No Worries, The Premonition, and Razzle Dazzle. A
NIDA, Trinity College London, and Sydney University graduate, Deborah’s been nominated for several Sydney
Theatre Awards, and is a proud MEAA Member since 1990.
Deborah GalanoS
Deborah was last at Belvoir in Company B’s Greek Tragedy. Other theatre credits include: Wicked Sisters
(Griffin), Lady Tabouli (National Theatre Of Parramatta/Sydney Festival), Gods Of Strangers (State Theatre
Company South Australia), The God Committee, Heartbreak Kid (Ensemble/tours), The Shearston Shift (Sydney
Theatre Company/Australian People’s Theatre/tours), I’m With Her, The Mystery of Love & Sex (Darlinghurst
Theatre Company), Metamorphoses (Apocalypse/Old Fitz), Unfinished Works, Homesick (Bontom), Seagull
(Secret House), Mum’s The Word (Burberry Productions/Australian tours/SOH Playhouse/Glen Street), Dropped
(The Goods Theatre Company/Old Fitz), House of Ramon Iglesia (MopHead/Old Fitz), A Kind of Alaska,
Suddenly Last Summer, Hotel Hibiscus (NIDA company), Antigone (Sport For Jove), Boswell for the Defence
(Sydney Festival), Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (theatrongroup). Television credits: Children’s
Hospital, My Place, Police Rescue, G.P., Pulse, Rake, Redfern Now (ABC), Camp (NBC/Matchbox), Murder Call
(Nine Network), A Country Practice, All Saints, Home and Away (Seven Network). Film credits: Chasing
Comets, Balls, Boys From The Bush, Cavity, Inside Out, No Worries, The Premonition, and Razzle Dazzle. A
NIDA, Trinity College London, and Sydney University graduate, Deborah’s been nominated for several Sydney
Theatre Awards, and is a proud MEAA Member since 1990.
Deborah GalanoS
Deborah was last at Belvoir in Company B’s Greek Tragedy. Other theatre credits include: Wicked Sisters
(Griffin), Lady Tabouli (National Theatre Of Parramatta/Sydney Festival), Gods Of Strangers (State Theatre
Company South Australia), The God Committee, Heartbreak Kid (Ensemble/tours), The Shearston Shift (Sydney
Theatre Company/Australian People’s Theatre/tours), I’m With Her, The Mystery of Love & Sex (Darlinghurst
Theatre Company), Metamorphoses (Apocalypse/Old Fitz), Unfinished Works, Homesick (Bontom), Seagull
(Secret House), Mum’s The Word (Burberry Productions/Australian tours/SOH Playhouse/Glen Street), Dropped
(The Goods Theatre Company/Old Fitz), House of Ramon Iglesia (MopHead/Old Fitz), A Kind of Alaska,
Suddenly Last Summer, Hotel Hibiscus (NIDA company), Antigone (Sport For Jove), Boswell for the Defence
(Sydney Festival), Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (theatrongroup). Television credits: Children’s
Hospital, My Place, Police Rescue, G.P., Pulse, Rake, Redfern Now (ABC), Camp (NBC/Matchbox), Murder Call
(Nine Network), A Country Practice, All Saints, Home and Away (Seven Network). Film credits: Chasing
Comets, Balls, Boys From The Bush, Cavity, Inside Out, No Worries, The Premonition, and Razzle Dazzle. A
NIDA, Trinity College London, and Sydney University graduate, Deborah’s been nominated for several Sydney
Theatre Awards, and is a proud MEAA Member since 1990.
