Theatre Works has lifted the curtain on its 2026 season, revealing an ambitious, yearlong program of more than 50 productions that will fill every corner of its St Kilda precinct.
While the organisation has also confirmed the planned July 2026 departure of Executive Director Dianne Toulson, her retirement sits in the background of an announcement driven by the scale, diversity and reach of next year’s artistic vision.
The 2026 program continues the year round momentum established in 2025, with a mix of new Australian work, reimagined classics, musicals, festivals and experimental performance. Midsumma returns in force with nine productions across both venues, while the revitalised Fresh Works season puts emerging voices and bold ideas in the spotlight.
Three VCE Playlist productions will also anchor the education offering, supported by multiple regional tours and a precinct wide festival, FutureStage, which will run for two weeks and focus on theatre and ideas.
Co productions will play a major role through the With Theatre Works program, giving independent artists financial, technical and producing support. Large ensemble works, premieres and contemporary performance pieces form the backbone of the By Theatre Works slate.
Highlights include Blackpill: Redux, Australian Open, Robot Song, Beyond the Neck, Red Sky Morning, Lazarus and The Wolves, alongside an eclectic lineup of co produced titles such as Pokelesque, Beasts, The Effect, Sainting Joan, Young Frankenstein, Timon of Athens and more.
The precinct itself will stay active all year, with the Main Acland Street Theatre, the Explosives Factory, the TWiSK Rehearsal Space and the Black Box Outdoor Stage all programmed at full capacity.
Reflecting on her planned transition, Dianne Toulson said, “It felt important that my transition aligns with the momentum of the organisation.”
“The 2026 season is one of the most ambitious in Theatre Works’ history; a celebration of artists, diversity, inclusion, and the extraordinary creative community that surrounds this precinct.,” she said.
