Producing Workshops with Olly Lawrence

Join Olly Lawrence for a series of workshops dedicated to

SATURDAY 21st SEPTEMBER 11:30am - 1:30pm: PRODUCING INDEPENDENT STAGE SHOWS 101

Whether it's starting out as a solo artist and wanting to put on a show, to getting an ensemble cast tour ready; this is the workshop full of stage production basics you want to know. Join Olly Lawrence, Melbourne Fringe's 'Best Emerging Producer' 2023, for a tailored look at all the elements that go into making a successful show happen.

Securing venues, figuring out your demographic, contracts, rehearsals, budgets and more! The role of a stage producer is wide and varied. This 101 workshop takes you through the process and documents that can make your life easier, and comes with ready to use templates and resource links to get you started.

Starting with the monthly Burlesque Up Late in 2022, Olly Lawrence has produced 26 seasons of work spanning comedy (Anna Piper Scott: Such An Inspiration, None of That Queer Stuff, Tricksy Collins: Assigned Magician at Birth, Not All Men: The Game Show), cabaret (Alice Tovey: Not Like the Other Ghouls, T4T: A Transgender Showcase, PickUp: Rock Show), circus (Le Freak!, In Place), and theatre (An Evening with JK). They are on the Green Room Awards Cabaret panel, are the former Program Manager of The Motley Bauhaus, and have also worked for The Butterfly Club and Midsumma Festival. They also work as a freelance tech, and are a regular face in any festival artist bar.

SATURDAY 21ST SEPTEMBER 2:00pm - 4:00pm: BUDGETING AND FUNDING FOR INDEPENDENT THEATRE 101

Do spreadsheets make your head spin and the math ain't mathing? Do you wonder how anyone ever funds their show let alone makes a profit? This workshop takes a look at all things income and expense to bust open what makes a good budget, common mistakes and pitfalls, and where to get funding.

Olly Lawrence was awarded Melbourne Fringe's 'Best Emerging Producer' 2023, Adelaide Fringe's 'One to Watch' 2023, and their productions such as Le Freak!, Anna Piper Scott: Such an Inspiration, and T4T: A Transgender Showcase have received 6 awards + 3 nominations in the last two years. They are the successful recipient of 8 grant applications in that time, including Melbourne Fringe Cash to Create Fund, Melbourne Fringe 200 seats grant, Adelaide Fringe Artist Fund, Creative Victoria, and Creative Australia.

Whether you're an experienced producer, or a new artist just testing this waters, you should be able to walk away with a better understanding of the financial side of independent theatre and get started with some templates and resources to guide you.