The National Theatre of Parramatta Is Australia's Newest Theatre Company

There's a brand new player in Sydney's thriving theatre scene that's looking to give the more established companies a bit of a run for their money. Launching this week after years in the pipeline, the boldly titled National Theatre of Parramatta will set out to showcase the artistic talent found within Greater Western Sydney while reflecting Australia's cultural diversity on the stage.

The upstart company will be based out of Parramatta's Riverside Theatres, and has recruited talent from all around the state. At the helm are a directorate of four veteran creative practitioners: Founder and Director of CuriousWorks and Associate Artist at Carriageworks S. Shakthidharan, Executive Producer of Performance 4a Annette Shun Wah, Chief Creative Officer for Spiegelworld International Wayne Harrison, and community cultural development writer and creative producer Paula Abood. Alongside them will be the former Artistic Director for the Sydney Improvised Music Association and Business Manager for Programming at Sydney Opera House, Joanne Key, as the company's Executive Producer.

"National Theatre of Parramatta aspires to create bold, contemporary works that draw their inspiration from the rich diversity and untold stories of Western Sydney and beyond, adding to our cultural landscape a company that truly reflects the nation on stage," said Shun Wah in a statement that accompanied the launch.

The company's inaugural season will begin in April next year with the Australian premiere of Swallow by Olivier award winning playwright Stef Smith, directed by the founder and former Artistic Director of Force Majeure Kate Champion. That production will be followed in June by Jane Harrison's Stolen, directed by Vicki Van Hout, which tells the stories of members of the Stolen Generations. Then in October, the theatre will launch Telling Tales, a festival of storytelling featuring works by the theatre's directorate using traditional and alternate spaces.

For more information about the National Theatre of Parramatta, check them out on Facebook or visit www.riversideparramatta.com.au/ntofp