Backstage

A Photo Series by Kate Williams

Exhibition on display in the Belvoir St Theatre Foyer

All works for sale in support of the Belvoir Street Theatre Capital Fund, specifically our backstage and dressing room renovation.

Before a performance begins, another kind of story unfolds.

This collection of candid works by photographer Kate Williams offers an unscripted look behind the scenes, capturing the quiet focus, shared energy and intimate preparation of actors inside the Belvoir backstage and dressing rooms.

Featuring moments from across our 2024 Season—including Belvoir’s productions of Counting and Cracking, Lose to Win, August: Osage County, Tiddas and Holding the Man—Williams moves away from the prepared work of the main stage. Instead, she invites us into the simple, human spaces where characters are prepared, stories take root and our productions truly begin.

“Theatre is a uniquely fleeting form, therein lies its magic.

I wanted to pioneer something new for Australian eyes; something raw, intimate, and spirited; Theatre magic that hasn’t been seen and that can be kept.

Backstage is a project I have been imagining for years.

No stranger to the rules and rituals of a theatre space myself, I wanted to capture some of the beautiful rare moments that the immediacy of theatre demands from its actors. The things that theatre folk live when they’re in the crossfade between themselves in the real world and their character on the stage. The backstage is a sacred and magical space that audiences never really consider and rarely get to glimpse.

I would like to thank Belvoir’s team and crew for opening an entire season to me and the generous actors who opened their space to me.”

Kate Williams

Support Backstage at Belvoir

All works in this exhibition are available for purchase. 100% of proceeds directly support the Belvoir Street Theatre Capital Fund, dedicated to renovating and revitalising our backstage spaces.

To purchase a work or learn more contact the Belvoir Development Team at [email protected] or call (02) 8396 6219.

About the Artist

Kate Williams is a staple figure amongst actors and creators of the Sydney performing arts scene. Often referred to as “KatesYourMate”, her enduring instagram handle, Kate has been taking Sydney and Melbourne actors’ headshots for over a decade, as well as theatre stills, marketing images for performances and behind the scenes imagery.

Having graduated from NIDA’s prestigious BFA:Acting in 2013, Kate pivoted pretty quickly to photography but stayed within the colourful world she loved amongst the creative people she understands.