2016 IN REVIEW

In 2016, our first full year of operation, KXT hosted 17 female producers 11 female directors; 10 female writers. Our season included 9 World premieres, 6 Australian premieres, 17 female producers, 11 female directors, 10 female writers.

HIGHLIGHTS

BLACK JESUS “It’s the type of production that’s rarely seen here and it certainly shouldn’t be missed.” Alana Kaye, Theatre Now

The first African story seen on a Sydney stage in over 10 years, with 4 African-Australian actors in the cast. Hugely successful artistically and critically, and established early that KXT was a venue where risky, diverse work would be programmed. Elijah Williams was nominated Best Newcomer at the Sydney Theatre Awards, and went on to appear in multiple Sport for Jove productions.

STRAIGHT “Endearing and laugh-out-loud funny.” Matthew Raven, The Buzz

This was a high-profile team bringing a hard-hitting comedy to KXT. This project gave the industry confidence in the venue and brought the theatre from a “fringe” venue into the top rank of independent theatres. The season was an artistic and commercial success – the first sold-out season at KXT.

VISITING HOURS ★★★★ Hugely successful artistically and financially. Another sold-out season with queues in the street waiting for last minute tickets and tickets being auctioned on-line!

THE INVISIBLE CIRCUS

A huge Festival celebrating the work of women, with 4 of Sydney’s leading female directors tackling new Australian work by women with all-female design teams. Three fully produced plays played in rep across the 3-week festival, plus another three plays in development by bAKEHOUSE Co-Artistic Director Suzanne Millar. In addition, an art exhibit displayed the work of over 5 female artists for the duration of the Festival. Good With Maps earned Kate Gaul a Best Director nomination at the Sydney Theatre Awards, was invited to perform at Edinburgh Fringe, and is currently on a national tour. The Laden Table and Jatinga – both developed by bAKEHOUSE during the Invisible Circus – went on to highly successful fully produced seasons as part of the KXT 2017 season.

ABOUT bAKEHOUSE

WE ARE bAKEHOUSE … bAKEHOUSE Theatre Company at KXT is a not-for-profit independent theatre company based in Sydney, producing work that showcases new voices. We provide opportunities and mentoring to young and emerging actors, writers, directors and designers, with a special focus on showcasing the talents of artists from diverse cultural backgrounds

STEP UP 2019

HERRINGBONE

EDDIE ORTON + ELIJAH WILLIAMS

KXT2019 LAUNCH

KXT, A SPACE FOR ARTISTS… We took the blueprint. And we shredded it. KXT is intimate enough to truly connect with artists and grand enough to put the world on stage. At KXT we can make a major commitment to telling the global and cultural stories we want to tell, we can provide more opportunities to our artistic community, and through our Step Up and Popupstairs programs we are now able to extend these opportunities to many more artists. At KXT we're giving artists the chance to grow and flourish. We provide the resources that help to make their work beautiful, we give them time to develop and polish, we make it easier for them to meet the financial bottom line. We are a truly sustainable theatre.

WE PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES… We hothouse young talent. As our name suggests, the purpose of bAKEHOUSE and KXT is to provide an environment in which talent can not only grow, but flourish and be transformed through the process. Being part of a KXT production allows artists to stretch their wings and hone their craft. Artists who have worked with us have gone on to study at NIDA, WAAPA and VCA, and to work with some of Australia’s leading companies such as Sydney Theatre Company, Belvoir, Griffin, Bell Shakespeare and Melbourne Theatre Company

WE PROMOTE DIVERSITY… We don’t just talk about the need for cultural diversity on our stages. We put our money where our mouth is. In terms of contributing to the diversity, vibrancy and sustainability of Sydney’s rich cultural life, we are punching well above our weight. Through our StoryLines initiatives, we have provided opportunities for over 100 culturally and linguistically diverse artists to showcase their talent to the industry and Sydney audiences. Our commitment to this work is changing Sydney’s theatre landscape.

KXT, A COMMUNITY CULTURAL HUB… We’re creating a new Soho in Sydney. Kings Cross has been a community meeting-place for thousands of years. It’s a crossroads where journeys intersect, where possibilities diverge. Our community knows that coming to KXT means they get to see the best independent theatre-makers in Sydney telling stories we don’t hear anywhere else, stories that make us think about our place in the world. At KXT we’re extending this connection through our Chesterfield and Crossroads series - programs of satellite events, performances and exhibitions that ignite community conversations.

It take an army…

We have a bAKEHOUSE closing night tradition. A shout out to absent friends and unsung heroes. Cause it takes an army to put on a show. And it takes a world of people to run a theatre. We’ve had incredible support this year from a heap of people, and we couldn’t do it without every one of you! But we’d like to acknowledge a couple in particular, two people who have stepped up this year and filled some pretty big gaps.

REBECCA BLAKE in rehearsal

CHARLIE VAUX at work

Charlie Vaux stepped in as KXT PRODUCTION INTERN earlier in the year and he’s helped us at bump ins, bump outs, key handovers, inductions, FOH, opening nights… an abundance of tedious tasks that keep things ticking over. Then, as Stage Manager on Dresden he had his hands full going from the rehearsal room, to set build, operating,  and running the show. It was a baptism by fire (if you saw the show you’d appreciate that…!) and we couldn't have got the show on without him. He’ll be on occasional box office during the Storytellers Festival, if you see him say hi.

Rebecca Blake (Cub) is a member of the inaugural Step Up team. This year she stepped into the directors chair during the Step Up Festival, driving through an awesome development of Rotterdam by Jon Brittain, working with Ella Prince, Travis Jeffrey, Phoebe Lane and Bobby Jean Henning. We were excited to have her in as Assistant Director on our production of Dresden, after filling the AD role on the Brevity production of A Girl is Half Formed Thing

ANNOUNCING: Rebecca Blake is the KXT ARTISTIC ASSOCIATE. 

We're thrilled to have Rebecca join the KXT Management team. Many hands make light work, and there's a lot going on at KXT: in the short few days she's been at the job, we've already seen the benefits of the shared load. She’s a keyboard warrior, getting the work done after hours when she’s done with the day job as Festival Co-Ordinator for Festival of Dangerous Ideas. Cub’s on the way up and we’re super excited to have her on the team

STORYTELLERS FESTIVAL @ KXT

PRODUCTION BLOG

CURATED BY JOANNA ERSKINE, WITH THANKS TO DANNY BALL + KXTEETHCUTTING

CALL OUT FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST for KXT2019

at KXT, bAKEHOUSE is committed to providing an affordable and accessible venue. We’re invested in the sustainability of companies, artists and new work. We’re at the forefront of diverse programming, theatre for social change, and gender equity. We’re keeping the door open for new and emerging artists, and actively supporting and mentoring the next generation through our acclaimed STEP UP program

We're keeping it super simple...

SEND us a short covering email telling us why this is the show you want to stage

ATTACH a single page doc with a brief overview of the show, why you reckon it should be part of the season, and details of your production and creative team, with any confirmed cast

AND a copy of the script PLUS evidence of the availability of rights INCLUDE 2 options for preferred dates ALSO your short, sexy 100-150 word marketing blurb for the show

Got an even bigger idea? No matter how ambitious or crazy, if it's something you're passionate about, we want to hear it!

EMAIL: SUBJECT LINE: KXT2019 EOI | TO: bakehousetheatrecompany@gmail.com

SUBMISSIONS CLOSE 5.00 pm 1 September 2018
 

“so good to have this new venue doing consistently good work. It’s a glory: what can happen when artists take over a room and make it their own”

— David Berthold

bAKEHOUSE Theatre Company launched KXT - Kings Cross Theatre at the end of 2015 to support Sydney’s indie theatre scene and the local arts community. We offer companies heaps of support and maximum autonomy. We’re investing in a sustainable ecology for indie theatre

Visiting Hours photo credit: Clare Hawley

“every KXT work in some way pushes forward the Sydney arts scene - its an opportunity for artists to experiment and create, and its a chance for the audience to see where our local performance culture is headed””

— Cassie Tongue, Time Out

---

GETTING THE JOB DONE

At KXT we are committed to showcasing diversity and building gender equity…

We’ve had a bunch of women-led teams at KXT over the past 2 and a half years. Today’s spotlight is on:

PHOTO CREDIT: Indiana Kwong

A GIRL IS A HALF-FORMED THING by Annie Ryan | Presented by Brevity Theatre

Performed by Ella Prince Directed by Erin Taylor
Produced by Emma Diaz Design by Isabel Hudson Sound by Clemmie Williams Lighting by Veronique Bennett Assistant Directed by Rebecca Blake

Jason Blake, Audrey Journal: "AN ABSOLUTE TOUR DE FORCE…A powerhouse performance pulls the audience into a young woman's turbulent stream of consciousness” 

Jatinga by Purva Naresh | Presented by bAKEHOUSE Theatre

This work was developed in association with AAWC, Mumbai-based NGO that works with the victims of sex-trafficking, and grew out of director Suzanne Millar’s work with the org to raise awareness around the global issues of modern day slavery. Developed in partnership with multiple Mubai-based theatre companies, included leading light RAGE Theatre, supported by Shernaz Patel, and inspired by the young women of Kamathipura.

Cast: Sapna Bhavnani, Karina Bracken, Claudette Clarke, Faezeh Jalali, Sheila Kumar, Suz Mawer, Bali Padda, Monroe Reimers, Trishala Sharma, Teresa Tate Britten, Amrik Tumber. 

PHOTO CREDIT: Natasha Narula

“Epic” SMH

“Haunting... visionary... Modern and mythical India, alive in Kings Cross. Amazing.” Kevin Jackson

“For one of our smallest companies to reach out so far beyond themselves to make a difference in the world is remarkable” Cassie Tongue, Time Out

Transcience by Clare Hennessey | presented by Left of Centre

Director Clemence Williams; Producer Georgie Adamson; With Kurt Pimblett, Julia Christensen and Eve Beck.

PHOTO CREDIT: Liam O'Keefe

Back in September 2016, Clemmie Williams led a powerhouse team on a new play from Left of Centre: a story of gender, friendship and chambray jumpsuits, that asks what and who we're willing to compromise to belong. What would Manu do?

And of course… Invisible Circus, a wonderful month with the women destroying the joint; showcasing the work of women who are getting the job done

CLICK HERE FOR MORE

“answers the recent question of “Where are the women in theatre?” with a firm and confident “Here we are.” This production is a bright shining example of women who have been, and continue to, work in theatre and can create in a non-tokenistic way. ”

— TALKING ARTS

GETTING THE JOB DONE

This is an important article. ABC NEWS: Australian show business has a problem: Where are all the women at the top?

So far this year shows at KXT2018 have been directed by: Erin Taylor, Kim Hardwick, Suzanne Millar, Claudia Barrie, Hannah Goodwin, Sarah Hadley Kerith Manderson-Galvin, Eve Beck. Still to come: Lucy Clements; Jessica Arthur; Carissa Licciardello

KXT2016 in our first year, we co-curated the Invisible Circus, a month-long celebration of the work of women. Featuring a mainstage program of work directed by Priscilla Jackman, Kate Gaul, and Cathy Hunt, with added sideshows from Suzanne Millar (the development of The Laden Table, Jatinga and Freefalling) + art exhibitions, music events, and panel discussions. 

“...answers the recent question of “Where are the women in theatre?” with a firm and confident “Here we are ”

...This production is a bright shining example of women who have been, and continue to, work in theatre and can create in a non-tokenistic way."  ~ Fiona Hallenan-Barker

In 2017 Siren’s Good With Maps went on to Edinburgh Fringe Festival; and Kate Gaul was nominated for Best Director at the Sydney Theatre Awards

At KXT we are committed to showcasing diversity, creating gender equity and providing opportunity and support for new work, new artists and new companies. We curate programs that are inclusive, and work to keep KXT affordable and accessible. By providing a well-resourced, supported, and subsidised venue bAKEHOUSE aims to invest in the ecology of the arts, assisting companies towards sustainability. 

GETTING THE JOB DONE

HELP US get the job done... bAKEHOUSE is committed to new voices and big ideas, investing in the future generation of artists and their work…

Elijah Williams was nominated for best new talent in the 2016 Sydney Theatre Awards for his role in BLACK JESUS by Anders Lustgarten (KXT2016); winner GLUG award for Most Outstanding Performance by a Newcomer 2016 “A visceral and frighteningly passionate presence...” Kevin Jackson
 

We've been working with Joshua McElroy for a while now (A Land Beyond the River by Justin Fleming, Storylines Festival at NIDA & TRS 2012; Two Chairs Crack X Festival 2013; Visiting Hours at Kings Cross Hotel 2017 & 2016) nominated for GLUG award Most Outstanding Performance by a Newcomer 2017 “the stand out performer was Joshua McElroy…electric” Australian Theatre for Young People (atyp) presents Oedipus Doesn’t Live Here Anymore

the incredible Trishala Sharma worked with us on Invisible Circus in 2016 and then in Jatinga 2017 “a notable stage debut” Jason Blake, The Sydney Morning Herald (she's currently off stage studying medicine...)

With your help, we can continue to invest in Sydney’s arts landscape with time, resources, and support in a way that will provide sustainability for artists and companies, and invest in the future generation of artists and their work.

GETTING THE JOB DONE

We’re committed to providing opportunity and support to some of Sydney’s most exciting emerging artists. 

++This year alone, the Step Up program has been the launching pad for 3 new companies: James Raggatt’s Manifesto Theatre; Bardiya McKinnon’s Last One Standing and Pip and Han Inc, the home of Hannah Goodwin & Pippa Ellams

++ March this year saw the inaugural STEP UP festival: a feast of development, new work and short sharp seasons, and featuring the launch of Jessica Adie’s initiative UPSTART

++ our Step Up team is small but mighty Read all about them HERE

With your support, we can continue to invest in Sydney’s arts landscape with time, resources, and support in a way that will provide sustainability for artists and companies, and invest in the future generation of artists and their work.

GETTING THE JOB DONE

At KXT we are committed to showcasing diversity, creating gender equity and providing opportunity and support for new work, new artists and new companies…

---

In 2016 we were thrilled to host Montague Basement at KXT as they began to build an exciting body of work: Kaleidescope by Charles O’Grady MORE HERE

In 2017 they backed up with Before Lysistrata by Ellana Costa MORE HERE

This year they’ve gone interstate with the upcoming Threepenny Opera at Melbourne’s The Butterfly Club. Shout out to gun producer Imogen Gardam who makes things happen

We first met Rebecca Blake in 2017 when she was a part of the creative team on the following KXT shows: She Rode Horses Like the Stock Exchange by Amelia Roper MORE HERE

A Girl is a Half-Formed Thing by Annie Ryan MORE HERE

Rotterdam by Jon Brittain in development as part of Step Up Festival MORE HERE

This year Rebecca was AD on the recent sold out season of the bAKEHOUSE production of DRESDEN by Justin Fleming MORE HERE

Rebecca is the KXT Artistic Intern. And her latest role is as the Festival Co-ordinator for the Festival of Dangerous Ideas

---

After staging the enormously successful The Carousel at KXT in March as part of the STEP UP festival (we know it was successful cause it SOLD OUT on Good Friday…) Hannah Goodwin jumped onto DRESDEN as rehearsal assistant. She formed Pip and Han Inc with writing partner Pippa Ellams, and the team can next be seen at Bondi Feast with the first staging of the Sorry Mum Project. Hannah will step into the KXT artistic internship later in the year. We reckon you should watch out for this quiet dynamo

With your help, we can continue to invest in Sydney’s arts landscape with time, resources, and support in a way that will provide sustainability for artists and companies, and invest in the future generation of artists and their work…