Part of Festival of the Unseen 2025

2025 SUMMER LAB

A DEVELOPMENT ACCELERATOR FOR NEW WORK AND BOLD IDEAS

21 February - 3 March

Antipodes HQ, South Melbourne

Entry: $15 - $35 general admission

See event times and prices below.

ATC’s inaugural Summer Lab provides ongoing development and support to previous Winter Lab projects (Antipodes’ flagship development program established in 2020). Each of the seven projects will culminate in either a one-night-only performance, a staged reading or in-development ‘sneak peek’ open sessions.

The Summer Lab looks to engage approximately 40 artists, returning and new.

2025 SUMMER LAB PROJECTS & LEAD ARTISTS

FRIDAY FEBRUARY 21st

7.30pm Stage Reading: STORKED by MYFANWY HOCKING (they/them)

SUNDAY FEBRUARY 23rd

12pm Open Session: THE YEAR WITHOUT A SUMMER: A NEW MUSICAL by ABIGAIL BANISTER-JONES (she/her)

4.30pm Stage Reading: DEATH TO A BUTTERFLY: A NEW MUSICAL by ANDY FREEBORN (they/them) & JESS RAMSEY (they/she)

FRIDAY FEBRUARY 28th

7.30pm In-Performance: THE LIFE CYCLE OF BLANCO by VONNE PATIAG (he/him)

SUNDAY MARCH 2nd

12pm Open Session: JOURNEY OF THE TRUE SELF by R. JOHNS (she/her) and ALIYA ABOO (she/her)

4.30pm Open Session: CAPTURE: A NEW MUSICAL (WT) by TOMAS PARRISH (they/them)

7:30pm As part of the AMTAC Song Showcase: SILVER TONGUE: A NEW MUSICAL by ALEC STEEDMAN (he/they) & MIRANDA MIDDLETON (she/her)

FRIDAY FEBRUARY 21st 7.30pm

From the 2024 Winter Lab and in active development leading up to the 2025 May production, join us for a book-in-hand stage reading of

STORKED

by MYFANWY HOCKING (they/them)

Doors open 7pm, 7.30pm start

Entry: $25 general admission

An electric exploration of the choice to choose, living in a body that constantly betrays you, and finding the people in your life who matter the most, STORKED interrogates the expectation upon AFAB people to have children and the growing awareness that it might not be such a hot idea in our world today.

Writer & Performer: MYFANWY HOCKING (they/them)

Collaborators TBA

Meet the STORKED Team

  • Myf Hocking

    They/They

    WRITER & PERFORMER

    Myfanwy is an artist living and working in Narrm. As an actor, writer, poet, theatremaker, and teacher, they are most interested in queer, feminist works that interrogate and challenge society as it exists under patriarchy and capitalism. Myfanwy has worked as a performer with the MTC, Theatre Works, and NORPA Lismore. Their plays have been shown in Melbourne and Edinburgh. Myf is also a professional voice actor, having narrated numerous audiobooks. Seeking to queer traditional dramatic formats, Myf is fascinated by how we can alter the current theatrical climate in Narrm. Myf is a double graduate of the VCA, attaining their BFA in Acting (2019) and their Masters in Writing for Theatre (2021).

  • Collaborators TBA

SUNDAY FEBRUARY 23rd

From the 2023 Winter Lab, join us for an in-development open session for

THE YEAR WITHOUT A SUMMER: A NEW MUSICAL

by ABIGAIL BANISTER-JONES (she/her)

Doors open 11.30am, 12pm start

Entry: $15 general admission

Sex, Drugs, and Romantic poetry. It’s 1816, the world appears to be ending, and these poets are trying desperately to ignore it. Cooped up together in a haunted Villa, can they survive each other?

Writer, Composer & Director: ABIGAIL BANISTER-JONES (she/her)

ACTORS: ELLIOT WOOD (they/he)

More collaborators TBA

Meet the THE YEAR WITHOUT A SUMMER Team

  • Abigail Bainster-Jones

    Abigail Banister-Jones

    She/Her

    WRITER, COMPOSER & DIRECTOR

    Abigail is an Australian actor, writer, composer and theatre maker. She specialises in queer theatre, environmentalism, feminism, comedy, music, and reinterpreting texts of antiquity. It is her mission to create and be a part of the telling of stories that champion justice and humanity. As of 2021 she is a graduate of the Victorian Collage of the Arts with a BFA in Theatre Making.

  • Elliot Wood

    They/He

    ACTOR

    Elliot is an Aotearoa born, Melbourne based performer, comedian and theatre maker. Elliot graduated from the VCA in 2022 with a Bachelors of Fine Arts (Music Theatre) credits include: Ensemble in 'Swan Lake' ( performed by the The Australian Ballet (dir. David Hallberg); Writer and Performer in ‘Hello, Who Is It?’ (dir. Stephanie Teitelbaum) for the 2023 Melbourne International Comedy Festival; Assistant Director of ‘Mongrel 2023’ (dir. Maude Davey); Collaborator in the 2023 and 2024 WinterLabs (Antipodes Theatre); Director and Performer in ‘Yeehahaha: the 70th Annual Law Revue’ (dir. Elliot Wood & Pascale Constance); co-creator on ‘Pass The Parcel!’ for the 2024 Melbourne International Comedy Festival (dir. Meg Taranto & Elliot Wood); and Shiv/Elon Musk in 'Lizard People' for the 2024 Melbourne Fringe Festival.

  • More Collaborators TBA

SUNDAY FEBRUARY 23rd

From the 2023 Winter Lab, and following an 2024 March intensive, join us for a book-in-hand stage reading of

DEATH TO A BUTTERFLY: A NEW MUSICAL

by ANDY FREEBORN (they/them) & JESS RAMSEY (they/she)

Doors open 4pm, 4.30pm start

Entry: $25 general admission

A story of queer identity, community, and erasure, inspired by the extravagant and indulgent life of Henry Cyril Paget, the 5th Marquess of Anglesey.

Music, Lyrics & Co-Book: ANDY FREEBORN (they/them)

Director & Co-Book: JESS RAMSEY (they/she)

Musical Director: DAVID BUTLER (he/him)

ACTORS: ALESSANDRA MERLO (she/her), LUISA SCROFANI (she/her)

More collaborators TBA

Meet the DEATH TO A BUTTERFLY Team

  • Andy Freeborn

    They/Them

    MUSIC, LYRICS & CO-BOOK

    Andy is a queer, deaf/hard-of-hearing, pianist, songwriter, performer and whose passion lies in stories of hope from a place of trauma. Recently, they performed their autobiographical award winning cabaret, ‘Everything is Shit’ at the Old Fitz. Credits include: Musical Director: ‘The Mystery of Edwin Drood’ (Little Triangle 2022), Little Shop of Horrors, Spiegelesque (Kermond Creative), Forgetting Tim Minchin (Joy Offensive) & The Decay of Lying (by Jess Ramsey, NIDA, 2022). Vocal Director: Girl Band (New Ghosts Theatre Company) Writing: Alice (2021, writer), Holy Ship! (Cope Creative, composer & orchestrator) The Strong Charmion (sound design & composition) (Flight Path 2024) and various arrangements for productions including They’s at the Hayes and Silver Tongue (2024, Hayes Theatre Company). Andy has most recently taken part in ‘The 48 Hour Musical Challenge’ at the Hayes Theatre, composing for ‘A Tiny Doll’s House’.

  • Jess Ramsey

    They/She

    DIRECTOR & CO-BOOK

    Jess is a queer, neurodivergent theatre maker, and 2023 NIDA graduate from the MFA Directing course. Over 2023 and 2024 Jess has directed and worked on projects at Flight Path Theatre, Old Fitz, Belvoir 25a, Adelaide Fringe, Hayes Theatre, and Antipodes Theatre Company. Their recent directorial work includes ‘The Strong Charmion’ by Chloe Lethlean Higson (Flight Path Theatre), assistant directing ‘Forgetting Tim Minchin’ (Dir. Amy Sole, Belvoir 25a), ‘Berliners’ by comedy duo Nick & Tom (Adelaide Fringe 2024), and currently, they are co-directing Carly Wij’s ‘Us/Them’, (Flight Path Theatre November 2024). Jess has recently added producing and intimacy coordination to their skillset, as creative producer for 107 Projects Inc. and Intimacy Coordinator for ‘Definitely Not A Hungry Games: A Parody Musical’ for Sydney Fringe 2024.

  • David Butler

    He/Him

    PERFORMER AND MUSICAL DIRECTOR

    David is a multi-nominated, and Green Room Award winning musical director, freelance performer and vocal coach based in Naarm (Melbourne), Australia.

    Regularly appearing as drag alter-ego Peppy Smears; he performs and musically directs with Antipodes Theatre Company, Tash York in their award-winning shows HAPPY HOUR, IT’S UP TO YOU: TASH YORK, TASH YORK, and their all-original show LOVE THAT FOR YOU as well as numerous other projects in cabaret and independent theatre.

    As a vocal coach David works on a consulting basis with actors and singers; and is a referred voice teacher of Gary May and the Melbourne Voice Analysis Centre.

  • Alessandra Merlo

    She/Her

    ACTOR ‘Loie’

    Alessandra Merlo is a versatile Australia performer, often moving between musical theatre and screen acting. A graduate from The Victorian College of the Arts Musical Theatre BFA, she has performed in 'Big Fish' (The Hayes Theatre Co), 'Titanic the Musical in Concert', starring Anthony Warlow (The Marrollo Project) and most recently, 'Midnight', a brand new Australian Musical starring Shane Jacobson and Lucy Durack. Screen credits include La Brea (NBC ), Safe Home (SBS), Ms Fisher's Modern Murder Mysteries (Acorn TV/Seven Network), Neighbours (Fremantle Media). She has also featured in the short film Blvck Gold, which was selected for St Kilda Film Festival 2022 and Flicker Fest 2023, among other International Festival Selections. 'Run, Baby' and #followme as well as Associate Producing and co-starring in the short film, A Good Boy.

  • Luisa Scrofani

    She/Her

    ACTOR ‘Lillian’

    Luisa Scrofani is a Helpmann-nominated singer and actor. She made her professional debut at 19 in Violet (JRP Australia), and has gone on to successfully perform in a string of independent and main-stage productions. 

    Credits include: Spring Awakening (StageArt), In The Heights (JRP Australia, Helpmann Nomination for Best Lead Female Actor), Blackrock and Dreamsong (EbbFlow Theatre Co.), My Brilliant Career (MLive + Original Cast Recording), Paper Stars (Salty Theatre), Bonnie and Clyde (JRP Australia), SENSER (TheatreWorks), Pear-Shaped (Rogue Projects), Midnight (Aspect Entertainment), and A Funny Thing Happened On The Way to the Forum (Watch This).

    Most recently, she was seen in the Australian premiere production of The Grinning Man (Salty Theatre), and was the Sybylla standby for My Brilliant Career (MTC).

  • More collaborators TBA

FRIDAY FEBRUARY 28th

From the 2020 Winter Development Retreat, and 2021 Ricochet Reading Series, join us for a performance of

THE LIFE CYCLE OF BLANCO

by VONNE PATIAG (he/him)

Doors open 7pm, 7.30pm start

Entry: $35 general admission

Blanco, an Asian actor giving up on his creative dreams, is determined to make it through one last show to honour his dying ambition with documentarian flair.

Writer: VONNE PATIAG (he/him)

Collaborators TBA

Meet the THE LIFE CYCLE OF BLANCO Team

  • Vonne Patiag

    He/Him

    WRITER

    Vonne Patiag is a multiple AACTA, AWGIE, Logie and SPA Award-nominated Writer, Director, Producer and Actor based in Western Sydney. His recent credits include writing and producing the 4-part series 'The Unusual Suspects' for SBS, the feature anthology film 'Here Out West', released theatrically in early 2022, and writing on 'Significant Others', a 6-part drama for ABC. Most recently, his short film 'Too Many Ethnics' had its World Premiere at Flickerfest 2023 and his one-man show 'The Life Cycle of Blanco' was presented as a Creative First Look season in March 2023 with the National Theatre of Parramatta and Sydney World Pride.

  • Collaborators TBA

SUNDAY MARCH 2nd

From the 2021 Winter Lab, join us for an in-development open session for

JOURNEY OF THE TRUE SELF

by R. JOHNS (she/her) and ALIYA ABOO (she/her)

Doors open 11.30am, 12pm start

Entry: $15 general admission

"Journey of the True Self", foregrounds a Muslim immigrant, her unique transformation journey, across diverse cultures, battling prejudice and challenging body politics, in a search for understanding.

Co-Writer, Director & 'Friend': R. JOHNS (she/her)

Co-Writer & 'Onlooker/Singer': ALIYA ABOO (she/her)

ACTORS: ANITA TORRANCE (she/her), SEPIDEH KARIMI (she/her)

More collaborators TBA

Meet the JOURNEY OF THE TRUE SELF Team

  • R. Johns

    She/Her

    CO-WRITER, DIRECTOR & 'FRIEND'

    R. Johns was born in South Wales. She has a First-Class Honours Drama degree (Manchester University) and an MFA from U.C.R. Her work has been presented in Stockholm, Manila, Mumbai, as co-devisor in Cape Town and Athens and produced in Wellington NZ. Her thriller "Black Box 149" was part of DFAT’s Australia now Germany program at Nuremberg State theatre. "As Told by the Boys Who Fed Me Apples" was nominated for an AWGIE. She is six times published by Currency Press, also shortlisted for the 2018 BBC International Playwriting Radio Award and a finalist in the Griffin Playwriting Award.

  • Aliya Aboo

    She/Her

    CO-WRITER & 'ONLOOKER/SINGER'

    Aliya was born in Karachi and migrated to Australia in 1996. She recently studied for a diploma in Makeup and Media at Academy of Makeup. Aliya was makeup artist on "Miss Blossom Callahan" at La Mama (2017) and for "Tchekov at the House of Special Purpose" (VCE Theatre Studies, Courthouse, 2019; assistant makeup artist on the photoshoot for GMAR magazine in 2019 and assisted with makeup on the photoshoot for LGBTQI immigrants "Queer Refugees" at Docklands Cotton Mills for gallery exhibition in 2020. Her play Astitva/ Identity was selected for a full stage reading Montreal 2021 at the Women Playwrights Conference.

  • Sepideh Karimi

    She/Her

    ACTOR

    Sepideh Karimi, an architecture graduate from Iran, migrated to Australia in 2013 and began her artistic journey in theatre in 2015. She has performed in several independent theatre productions in Melbourne, focusing on human stories, identity, and social issues. Through her theatrical projects, Sepideh aims to amplify women’s voices and explore themes of freedom and beauty. For her, theatre is not only a means of expression but also a bridge between cultures and lived experiences. Her works are praised for their emotional depth and unique perspective on social themes.

  • Anita Torrance

    She/Her

    ACTOR

    Bio pending.

  • More collaborators TBA

SUNDAY MARCH 2nd

From the 2023 Winter Lab, (prev. Views & Visions), join us for an in-development open session for

CAPTURE: A NEW MUSICAL

(working title)

by TOMAS PARRISH-CHYNOWETH (they/them) & ZIGGY RESNICK (they/she)

Doors open 4pm, 4.30pm start

Entry: $15 general admission

A queer story of love, hope and tenacity in the face of hatred. A historical retelling with a twist to inspire, comfort and challenge. Even in 2025, Lucy and Suzanne’s story is more galvanising than ever.

Co-Writer, Lyricist & Composer: TOMAS PARRISH-CHYNOWETH (they/them)

Co-Writer: ZIGGY RESNICK (they/she)

Collaborators TBA

Meet the CAPTURE (WT) Team

  • Tomas Parrish-Chynoweth

    They/Them

    CO-WRITER, LYRICIST & COMPOSER

    Tomas is a multidisciplinary artist and researcher working primarily on unceded Wurundjeri-Woi Wurrung Country. As a performer they have worked on stage and television (ABC, Hayes Theatre Company, Melbourne Theatre Company), and as a writer and composer they have worked with Orchestra Victoria, The Sydney Philharmonia Choirs, and they are workshopping Capture a new musical with Antipodes Theatre Company. Their play threadbare premieres in 2025. They are a doctoral candidate at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, where their research areas are embodied music-making, and care practices for musicians' wellbeing. Their choral symphony For the survivors and those who didn't. will prospectively premiere in 2026.

  • Ziggy Resnick

    They/She

    CO-WRITER

    Ziggy is a performer, writer and graduate of NIDA. Ziggy’s most recent theatre credits include; Much Ado about Nothing (Sport for Jove), Bugalugs Bum Thief (dir. Jessica Arthur), Girls in Boys Cars (dir. Priscilla Jackman), Feminazi (Belvoir’s 25A), A is for Apple (Griffin Theatre),Twelfth Night (dir. Jim Sharman), Ghosts (dir. Priscilla Jackman), Probe (Old Fitz Theatre),The Eisteddfod (Old Fitz Theatre), Pear Shaped (Theatre Works, Naarm). Ziggy is looking forward to starring in Kate Mulvany’s adaptation of The Shiralee for Sydney Theatre Company in 2025. Ziggy also toured with The Bell Shakespeare Players in 2022 and worked as a clown on Opera Australia’s Ernani (dir. Priscilla Jackman). Ziggy’s film credits include +One (Bus Stop films), Oi (dir. Sophie Serisier) - selected for MIFF’s 2024 short film program and Binchook (dir. Alana Stewart). Ziggy’s writing credits include Pear-Shaped (Theatre Works Naarm/ Monkey Baa Sydney, 2022), THIS IS NOT A PLAY ABOUT VALERIE JEAN SOLANAS, (Brand X Flying Nun 2024). 

  • Collaborators TBA

SUNDAY MARCH 2nd

From the 2022 Winter Lab, join us for the AMTAC Song Showcase which will feature songs from several AMTAC projects including

SILVER TONGUE: A NEW MUSICAL

by ALEC STEEDMAN (he/they) & MIRANDA MIDDLETON (she/her)

Doors open 7pm, 7.30pm start

Entry: $25 general admission

An irreverent retelling of 'Treasure Island' framed through the eyes of a female Long John Silver, 'Silver Tongue' is a new musical about misfits finding a place where they belong.

Composer & Lyricist: ALEC STEEDMAN (he/they)

Co-Book: MIRANDA MIDDLETON (she/her)

Collaborators TBA

Meet the SILVER TONGUE: A NEW MUSICAL Team

  • Alec Steedman

    He/They

    COMPOSER & LYRICIST

    A graduate of the Victorian College of the Arts Musical Theatre program, Alec is a multidisciplinary artist working as an actor, singer, multi-instrumentalist, musical director and composer. Acting credits include Once (Darlinghurst Theatre Co), Twelfth Night (Melbourne Theatre Co), As You Like It (Queensland Theatre), The Gruffalo, The Gruffalo’s Child & Room on the Broom (CDP), and before Covid cancellations, they were excited to work with Opera Australia in the cast of The Secret Garden. As a musician, Alec has musically directed, composed or performed in productions with Queensland Theatre, Sport For Jove, Hayes Theatre Co, Pop Up Globe and more. Alec holds their AmusA Diploma in Violin and currently has multiple new works in development, including the new musical ‘Silver Tongue’.

  • Miranda Middleton

    She/Her

    CO-BOOK

    Miranda Middleton is an award-winning director, writer, and choreographer with a Master of Fine Arts (Directing) from the National Institute of Dramatic Arts (NIDA). In 2024, Miranda is one of the Sandra Bates Directors Award recipients at the Ensemble Theatre, and is undergoing a professional mentorship with leading Australian director/choreographer Amy Campbell. Miranda’s most recent theatre directing credits include ‘The Grinning Man’ (VASS Productions), ‘The Eisteddfod’ (Old Fitz Theatre), ‘Pear-Shaped’ (Theatre Works), ‘Lemon Tree on Dreg Street’ (Theatre Works), ‘SENSER’ (Theatre Works), ‘Not Today’ (Seymour Centre), ‘Sowing Seeds’ (Gasworks Arts Park), and ‘Voldemort and the Teenage Hogwarts Musical Parody’ (Theatre Works). In 2023, she was the Resident Writer at Theatre Works, and she has two new musicals in development: ‘Paper Stars’ and ‘Silver Tongue’.

  • Collaborators TBA

Meet the Producers

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