Queensland Theatre Company

What is DOOR 3?

DOOR 3 marks the entrance to the Diane Cilento Studio, Queensland Theatre Company's up-close and intimate venue, named for a beloved patron of the arts.

Now in its fourth year, with nine extraordinary collectives to its name, DOOR 3 is a vital entry point for Queensland artists to develop and stage bold, blistering independent theatre.

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The 2027 offer

In 2027, DOOR 3 offers two six-week residencies to rehearse and present a new production, plus a four-week Open Lease: your chance to use the space your way, whether that's a scratch season, a special event, play readings or a creative development.

Selected collectives receive:

$5,000 seed funding
100% of box office, with a $5,000 advance available for production seasons
Rehearsal and performance space in the Diane Cilento Studio
A Production Coordinator, technical support and in-kind marketing
Dramaturgical support and a $1,500 access allowance for production seasons

During your DOOR 3 residency, selected collectives will be partnered with Queensland industry trail blazer for a coffee. This is your chance to chat shop, seek advice, ask honest questions (and get honest answers). Our DOOR 3 Locksmiths are an artistic touchpoint designed to help you do what you do best: make exceptional Theatre.

DOOR 3 Locksmiths

Ebony Bott – Artistic Director, Brisbane Festival

Ebony Bott is a nationally respected arts leader and producer with more than two decades of experience across Australia’s major cultural institutions. Appointed Artistic Director of Brisbane Festival in October 2025, she brings a rare blend of artistic ambition, commercial acumen and civic understanding. Previously Head of Contemporary Performance at Sydney Opera House, Bott led one of the country’s most ambitious multidisciplinary programs, attracting more than 120,000 paid attendees annually. Her career spans festivals, major venues and producing organisations, with a strong commitment to artist development, equity, and audience connection. Her leadership signals a confident, future-focused chapter for Brisbane Festival.

Lisa Fa’alafi & Leah Shelton – Co-Directors, Polytoxic

Polytoxic is an Australian collective of intersectional feminist theatre disruptors creating provocative & accessible works underpinned by diversity, collaboration and intersectionality. The company is led by performance-makers Lisa Fa’alafi & Leah Shelton. Lisa is the renowned Co-Creator of smash-hit Hot Brown Honey, which has played to over 50,000 people across five countries, garnering numerous 5-star reviews, a Helpmann, two Green Rooms and UK’s Total Theatre Award for Innovation. Leah’s triptych of solo works interrogating gender and identity have received critical acclaim & toured UK, Europe, Canada & US. Her most recent work BATSHIT won the prestigious Scotsman Fringe First Award amongst other accolades.

Ellen Kavanagh – Executive Director, Curatorial, QPAC

Ellen Kavanagh is currently Executive Director — Curatorial at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC), formerly Director of Programming. Ellen is a nationally respected senior arts leader with a proven track record across Festivals, Major Performing Arts Centres and Commercial Theatre & Musicals. Her previous roles include overseeing the programming team as Head of Programming Operations, Sydney Festival; Various roles at Sydney Opera House, including Senior Producer, Contemporary Performance; Associate Producer and Company Manager, Velvet (Organised Pandemonium); and General Manager and Production Coordinator, Broadway Entertainment Group.

Kieran Swann – CEO, Metro Arts

Kieran Swann is currently CEO of Metro Arts, Brisbane’s home for artist development in contemporary and experimental practice. He is an internationally experienced curator and producer, with leadership roles in Australia and the UK, and major projects in the US and Europe. Past roles include: Senior Curator for Create London; Head of Live Programme for Wellcome Collection; Head of Programme for Arnolfini, Bristol’s international centre for contemporary arts; and Program Producer for Theatre Network Australia. He has also worked on festivals and projects with Portland Institute of Contemporary Art, Performance Space 122 (now Performance Space New York), Danspace Project, and Venice International Performance Art Week.

Key Dates

Key dates
Applications
Close	22 November 2026
Shortlist notified	By 4 December 2026
Panel meetings	Week of 7 or 14 December 2026
Selection	By 18 December 2026
Seasons
Season One	22 March to 1 May 2027
Open Lease	10 May to 6 June 2027
Season Two	25 October to 4 December 2027

DOWNLOAD THE APPLICATION PACK

APPLY NOW

Applications close 11:59 pm Sunday 22 November 2026.

Questions?

Contact the Queensland Theatre Company programming team at door3@queenslandtheatre.com.au or 07 3010 7600.

DOOR 3 is proudly supported by the Australian Government through Creative Australia, its arts funding and advisory body, and the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland.

DOOR 3 2027