PLAY IN A DAY

Friday, 22 May 2026

Antipodes HQ, South Melbourne

Doors open 7pm, performances from 7.30pm

Theatre Lover $40 | Full Price $20 | Concession $10 | Mob $5

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON PREVIOUS PLAY IN A DAYS , CLICK HERE

A creative marathon where four writers, four directors and eight actors have a combined 24hours to write, rehearse and stage original 10-minute plays. (What could go wrong?!)

This whirlwind showcase brings together artists across many creative communities for an energetic and madcap evening of entertainment!

Be the first to see these fully original works, and join in what is sure to be an energetic and fun evening!

BOOK TICKETS HERE

RUNNING ORDER TBD

BABYFACE

It’s 1997 and kayfabe is dying. After a vicious betrayal, Lars Lightning and his producer scramble to reconstruct what’s left of the Tempest Twins legacy.

Content warnings: Course language

Writer: CALLUM CHEAH (they/them)

Director: LOUISE HOWLETT (she/her)

Facilitator: TAKARAH WILLIAMS (she/her)

Actors: JO JABALDE (they/them) & JACKSON PEELE (he/him)

CONCRETE

Lisa and Zoe hate each other - for no real reason.

Content warnings: Discussions of cancer.

Writer: GABRIELLE FALLEN (she/her)

Director: NIX BOWMAN (they/them)

Facilitator: BRONTE CHARLOTTE (she/her)

Actors: NATASHA BROADSTOCK (she/her) & REBECCA VINCENT (she/her)

FIRE & BRIMSTONE

An original and unauthorised Doctor Who story

Above the muck of our dying planet, a ship on a collision course with humanity’s largest space station threatens to derail our journey to the stars. Can a visitor from space and time save the day, or are they destined to repeat the mistakes of the past?

Content warnings: Mentions of death, and the end of the world.

Writer: RYAN HAMILTON (he/they)

Director: TANAKA BOFU (he/him)

Facilitator: MELISSA DAVID (she/her)

Actors: KIRBY LUNN (she/they) & J RIDLER (they/them)

LAMAZON WAREHOUSE IS AN INCIDENT-FREE WORKPLACE

A wannabe socialist organizer, and a once poverty-stricken security guard with a secret, work at a Lamazon Warehouse under a cruel boss. Little do they know that they will be caught up in the middle of a very real revolution while negotiating their places in a much larger movement in their own ways.

Content warnings: Poverty, Workplace injuries, Late-stage capitalism, Industrial murder and Sabotage.

Writer: VASI DEVI (she/they)

Director: SARAH FRENCHAM (she/they)

Facilitator: KAIA REYES (she/her)

Actors: ORIANA MORRIS-JOHNSON (they/she) & JANSET SELBAS (she/her)

Producer: CAMERON STEENS (they/them)

Operator: HOLLAND BROOKS (they/them)

Props: BRANDON PAPE (he/him)

Other credits:

Event Photographer: ANGEL LEGGAS (he/him)

Play In A Day May 2026 Intro Session Group 1.JPG

Play In A Day May 2026 Intro Session Group 2.JPG

Meet the Writers

Callum Cheah

They/Them
WRITER
Callum Cheah is a Footscray based emerging playwright and sound designer. Their first theatrical work, ‘big ben vs the void’ debuted in 2023 at The Motley Bauhaus. They were selected for the 2026 Artist Intensive program at Geelong Arts Centre to develop their latest work ‘Gutted’, a body horror comedy about a father and son who transform into fish after catching a vile talking carp.
Described as “[balancing] bleakness with wit and humour” (ATYP), they're a silly person making silly scripts, endeavouring to approach complex themes with empathy and kindness to find joy in the face of oblivion.
Vasi Devi

She/They
WRITER
Vasi Devi is an actress, writer, poet and parent in the southeastern suburbs of Melbourne, specifically Clyde North. She lives with her loving partner Tanya and their three children and a very loud, theatrical dog. Vasi has been published in a few poetry journals around the world, and has partaken in several amateur theater productions in Melbourne for the last three years.
Gabrielle Fallen

She/Her
WRITER
Gabrielle Fallen is a Naarm-based writer and performer. Her original play  Mature Skin was presented by MTC in Cybec Electric 2024, and again by Darebin Arts Speakeasy in 2026.  Her performance credits include Democracy Repair Services (Fringe), Poems of a Transsexual Nature (MTC, Fringe), and Embrace The Cringe (EWF). Gabrielle was a finalist for CYT’s 2023 Emerging Playwright Commission, interned under Yve Blake on  FANGIRLS (Belvoir) at the Sydney Opera House, and has undertaken residencies with Polyglot Theatre and The Unconformity. She holds a BFA (Theatre) from VCA, and is currently undertaking the Malthouse Artist Development Program (Writing).
Ryan Hamilton

He/They
WRITER
Ryan is a fat/queer writer, producer, and critic based in Narrm who tells stories about place, otherness, and utopia. He’s currently writing Fuck Your Funding, a political play about how Australia’s cultural infrastructure fails artists. He co-wrote the award winning Full Cream about fat kinship and liberation which toured Australia from 2023 to 2024. In 2024 he co-created the devised verbatim production FUTURE at Melbourne Fringe which explored how we all secretly think the future’s gonna turn out. Outside of being a theatre maker, Ryan is a digital marketer, podcaster, and vice-president of the Green Room awards.
Photo by Jaimi Houston.

Meet the Directors

Tanaka Bofu

He/Him
DIRECTOR
Tanaka Bofu is an actor and writer of both stage and screen. Bringing characters to life has always been a driving passion in Tanaka’s career. He migrated from Zimbabwe at an early age and speaks fluent Shona. Tanaka has placed his heart into the world of performing arts and never looked back. He is particularly interested in exploring queer work, as well as stories that blur the line between the absurd and reality. Tanaka completed a Bachelor of Fine Arts Acting at the Victorian College of the Arts VCA. In 2025, Tanaka wrote and performed Frankie and Fitz at the Butterfly Club, and is currently touring his solo devised show Douchebag across site specific venues in Melbourne.
Nix Bowman

They/Them
DIRECTOR
Nix is an actor and emerging director with a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Music Theatre) from the Victorian College of the Arts. Their previous directing credits include A Midsummer Nights Dream with the Melbourne Shakespeare Company and Blackrock with EbbFlow Theatre Co. Nix is also a proud educator with a focus on LGBTQIA+ advocacy.
Sarah Frencham

She/They
DIRERCTOR
After completing her Bachelor of Music Theatre, Sarah has gone on to work broadly across Naarm’s independent theatre scene as a director, with a focus on the development of new works Their directing and dramaturgy work spans plays, musical audio-plays, gig-theatre, education, cabaret and development workshops. Sarah’s work has toured internationally to Melbourne, New Zealand, Adelaide and Edinburgh Fringe Festivals and most recently their work on Good Man, as co-director, won Best of Cabaret (weekly award) at Adelaide Fringe 2026. As a queer, Autistic theatre maker, Sarah is passionate about the development of fresh works in exciting forms.
Louise Howlett

She/Her
DIRECTOR
Louise Howlett is the Founder and Artistic Director of ReAction Theatre, creating contemporary performance that combines ensemble performance, multimedia, and visually striking immersive scenography while remaining actor-led and text-driven. ReAction Theatre’s productions include sold-out seasons at La Mama Theatre, Melbourne Fringe, and The Street Theatre, Canberra, where the French-language production La Souris Blanche received critical acclaim. Her current project, Secret of the Raft, has been presented nationally at APAX and internationally at the Prague Quadrennial and World Stage Design in the UAE. Louise’s practice explores cross-cultural dialogue, contemporary spectatorship, and new relationships between audience, image, and live performance.

Meet the Actors

Natasha Broadstock

She/Her
ACTOR
Natasha Broadstock has been acting since she was a child, and directing for over 30 years. Recent notable roles include Honey in Ella Filar’s surreal masterpiece ‘The Butcher, The Baker …’ and Isobel in the riotous 1970s comedy ‘Ron & Isobel’. Other favourites include Barb in ‘Hostage’ (Melbourne Fringe), Princess Malcolm in ‘Macbeth’ and Julia in ‘Ken’s Quest’ (La Mama). She plays key characters in the feature films ‘Reign on Me’ and ‘Queen Evil’. Directing highlights include the critically acclaimed ‘demens’ and the hit zom-com ‘Anno Zombie’. She edits books, and adores octopuses, cats and movies.
Jo Jabalde

They/Them
ACTOR
Born and raised in Naarm, Jo Jabalde is a proud Filipino-Australian performer who grew up surrounded by music. They found solace in choir and after-school drama, and would go on to attend the Australian Institute of Music (AIM) graduating with a Bachelor of Music, majoring in Music Theatre. Some of Jo’s favourite performing credits include touring as Sandra in Neylon & Peele’s The Beep Test, playing multiple roles (as well as themselves) in ZKM Production’s SMOTHER, and most recently played Henry in Pigeon Pigeon Co’s I Promise This Isn’t About You (Even If It Feels Like It Is).
Kirby Lunn

She/They
ACTOR
In 2025 Kirby Lunn stared as Rosalind in MSC’s ‘As You Like It’ which earned her the 2026 Green Room Award winner for best leading performance in an independent Musical. She made her professional theatre debut at the age of 18 in the original Australian cast of ‘Hairspray’. Other Australian credits include ‘Eurobeat- Almost Eurovision’ and Sarah in ‘Rolling Thunder Vietnam’. Kirby is also an up-and-coming writer, her new play ‘Messhead’ debuted at Edinburgh Fringe Festival to rave reviews. The Edinburgh Guide even calling it “the play you didn’t know you needed.” Most recently, she studied clowning in France at the world-renowned Ecole Gaulier, making her an official silly goose.
Oriana Morris-Johnson

They/She
ACTOR
Oriana Morris-Johnson is a Naarm/Melbourne-based performer and collaborator and a 2024 graduate of the VCA with a BFA in Acting. Their work spans stage and screen, predominantly in the development and performance of new scripts (largely telling Queer stories). Their practice pairs a high-energy and detailed performance style with a keen dramaturgical eye and text-based approach. Select stage credits include ‘Democracy Repair Services’ (dir. Martha Latham, Melbourne Fringe), ‘Alice in Wonderland’ (dir. Glenn Elston OAM, Australian Shakespeare Co.), ‘The Wilde Kind’ (dir. Sabina Donato, TheatreWorks), and ‘Our Town’ (dir. Clare Watson, Black Swan State Theatre Co.). Recent screen credits include ‘HOPE’ (dir. Ada Tzinis and Izzi Harris) and ‘Neighbours’ (dir. Scott Major).
Jackson Peele

He/Him
ACTOR
Jackson Peele is Naarm/Melbourne based artist. A graduate of the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts Jackson is an acclaimed actor and musician, and one half of the musical theatre writing duo ‘Neylon & Peele.’ ‘Neylon & Peele’ have created five original Australian musicals. Their musical ‘The Beep Test,’ has been the recipient of multiple awards including the Green Room Award for ‘Best New Australian Musical Theatre Writing,’ and the Melbourne Fringe Award for ‘Best Performance Ensemble.’ Over the last two years he has played the role of Neil Murray in Ilbijerri Theatre’s production of ‘Big Name No Blankets’ which has toured the country as part of the Major Festivals Initiative, as well as played to inmates in prisons across the Northern Territory and Victoria. Peele is also a singer-songwriter who regularly performs at local pubs, weddings and events.
J Ridler

They/They
ACTOR
J Ridler is a performer born and raised in Naarm, comes from a patchwork of identities and holds a strong passion for storytelling especially within new Australian Musical Theatre. Recently J returned from Gadigal, where they performed as Gynecia i n 'Head Over Heels', as well as a featured performer in 'Theys At The Hayes' (both at the Hayes Theatre). Other career highlights have included Bearded (Theatreworks), Stranger Sings (Salty Theatre), Kinky Boots (James Terry Collective), Winnie The Pooh (TEG Lifelike Touring), and workshops of Death To A Butterfly and Super (Antipodes Theatre).
Janset Selbas

She/Her
ACTOR
Janset Selbas is a Melbourne-based actor of Australian, Turkish, and Circassian heritage. She trained at Howard Fine Acting Studio, Brave Studios, and the Improv Conspiracy Theatre. In 2025 she performed a 1.5-hour interactive piece at Trocadero Projects with Jessica Tanto, working with impulse and expectation. She has a double degree in neuroscience and philosophy, and speaks English and Turkish fluently. Outside acting, she plays bass and sings in a band called The Clever References, plays violin, and is an animal rights activist who rescues pigeons.
Rebecca Vincent

She/Her
ACTOR
Rebecca Vincent is an Australian-Malaysian actor of Indian and Chinese heritage. In addition to her acting studies at the Victorian College of the Arts, she holds a Bachelor of Science (Environmental Science) from the University of Melbourne. Her theatre credits include ‘She Kills Monsters’ (dir. Joe Lui) and ‘The Wolves’ (dir. Marcel Dorney). She has written, produced, directed, and performed in films of her own, including ‘Daniel and the Radcliffes’ in 2022 and ‘Only Ten’ in 2023. As a polyglot, she recently performed in Mandarin and French for ‘The Birds’ (dir. Matthew Lutton) at Malthouse Theatre.

Meet the Team

Cameron Steens

They/Them
PRODUCER
A queer, neurodivergent theatre maker based in Naarm, originally from Boorloo. A WAAPA Music Theatre graduate, they work as a creative producer, director and performer. Antipodes’ New Work & Marketing Manager and a Producer on numerous developments including the Winter Labs, Death to a Butterfly, Silver Tongue, Little Squirt (prev. Spunk Daddy), the premieres of Orlando, Storked ,月を見る夜 Moongazing, Back to Te Maunga, the Festival of the Unseen and the Hayes Theatre season of Ghost Quartet. Other credits include: The Last Sunday in June, MIMMA, James Terry’s RENT & BSSTC’s Assassins (Performer). AMTAC Sessions (Co-Producer), This is Living, Pops and If We Got Some More Cocaine… (Associate Director), Protein (Assist. Director & Sound Design) and Venue & Ticketing Coordinator (Gasworks Arts Park). www.cameronsteens.com
Bronte Charlotte

She/Her
FACILITATOR
Bronte Charlotte is a creative who’s breakout first play, Pieces of Shit, was nominated for 3x Green Room Awards. She was part of La Mama’s first iteration of Pathways, running in partnership with Australian Plays Transform (APT), throughout which she has been developing her next full length stage production, Clementine. Bronte’s credits include directing the clown show Jason Bateman is my Soulmate, starring in and co-producing the independent feature film In The Meantime, performing in Charlie Josephine’s Pops, directing Spinning Plates Co. Shut Up I’m a Vampire, and being part of the creative team for Strange Locutions and Nu-Disco! Bronte graduated with a BFA (Acting) from the VCA.
Melissa David

She/Her
FACILITATOR
Melissa has been a professional performer for 20 years. Favourite roles include Maureen in Rent, Lucy in Three Penny Opera, and Starchild in Ghost Quartet. She is an award winning business woman and currently CEO of MDE, former Vice Chair of Democrats Abroad in Victoria, founder at Expat Women at Work, and Vice Chair of Antipodes Theatre Company. She is a graduate of the MFA program at the University of Tennessee. She received her BA in Playwriting from California State University, Fullerton and went to San Francisco School of the Arts for Acting. She moved from New York City to Melbourne 7 years ago. Melissadavid.com
Kaia Reyes

She/Her
FACILITATOR
Kaia is a queer Filipino performer based in Naarm/Melbourne, originally from Manila. A graduate of the full-time program at 16th Street Actors Studio, she has also trained at The National Theatre and The Improv Conspiracy. Kaia came to Melbourne to study Computer Science and spent years working in tech before her whole world opened up through theatre and performing, leading her to change careers and dedicate her life to telling stories. Recent credits include The Taming of the Shrew (Melbourne Shakespeare Company), P*RN, and All the Things We've Done (Theatre Works). Kaia thrives at the intersection of rigour and play, and is never more at home than in a room full of bold, collaborative artists.
Takarah Williams

She/Her
FACILITATOR
Takarah has experience across production and stage management. She has worked closely with Taylor Made Productions as a Company Manager and Assistant Stage Manager, across two seasons of Holding the Man (2022, 2023), and Torch Song (2024), and more recently Stage Manager for the Last Sunday in June (Firerock Productions, 2025). She enjoys keeping rehearsals running smoothly and creating a safe, welcoming space for artists. Takarah is currently working on Taylor Made Productions’ Four Play and is grateful for every opportunity to learn, grow, and be part of Melbourne’s independent theatre community.
Holland Brooks

They/Them
OPERATOR
Holland Brooks is a versatile, award-winning emerging writer, lighting designer, and technical stage/production manager with a Bachelor in Performing Arts (Performance Making) from WAAPA. They are currently undertaking a Masters of Writing for Performance (Theatre) at VCA. Their work centralizes themes of compassion and perseverance in the face of violence and trauma, specifically within pedagogies of trans/queer storytelling. Holland is particularly interested in disrupting the idea of what is ‘stageable’ and ‘possible’ in live performance contexts - both on and offstage, by pioneering the contemporary genre of queer fabulism.
Brandon Pape

He/Him
PROPS
Brandon is the Founding Artistic Director for Antipodes Theatre Company, where he directed Ghost Quartet (two 2020 Green Room Award Nominations, return seasons in 2021 (Meat Market Stables) and 2025 (Hayes Theatre) and co-directed with Trudy Dunn their immersive reimagining of Guys and Dolls (thirteen 2024 Green Room Award nominations). Other Antipodes credits include Sam I Am, And She Would Stand Like This, Passing Strange (five 2023 Green Room Award Nominations), Orlando, and the Winter Lab - an annual development program for new work and bold ideas.