The Australian Theatre Festival NYC celebrated a night of exceptional Aussie talent at its annual Spring Gala, held on Tuesday, May 6th at the historic Players on Gramercy Park. Check out photos from the event.

The sell-out event honored acclaimed actress Danielle Macdonald (known for her roles in Patti Cake$, Dumplin’, Unbelievable, and The Tourist), Benita de Wit (whose Broadway & Off-Broadway Associate Director credits include Sunset Boulevard, Six, Straight Line Crazy, and Bat Out Of Hell), and Sam Cook, Founder of The United Stages Collective.

Co-Artistic & Executive Directors Mark Barford & Connor Delves have announced six finalists for the Australian Theatre Festival NYC 2025 New Play Award. 

The 2025 New Play Award Finalists are (in alphabetical order):

'Fox Hunt' by Rebecca Duke

'The Day Of The Lord' by Philip Enchelmaier

'How These Things Go' by Thea Jade

'Dirty Diamonds' by Abbie-Lee Lewis

'If I Can't Have You Broken' by Daniel Nellor

'The Flood' by Dylan Van Den Berg

A Showstopping Opportunity: The Australian Theatre Festival NYC 2025 New Play Award

Have you ever dreamed of seeing your new Australian play or musical take centre stage in the heart of New York City? The Australian Theatre Festival NYC has just the opportunity for you. Offering a substantial total prize of $20,000 USD, it’s a chance to stand shoulder to shoulder with some of Australia’s finest theatre-makers and have your voice heard by audiences on the global stage. If you’re an Australian writer—whether a seasoned playwright or someone just starting to dip their toes into the theatre world—this initiative is designed to ignite your creativity and connect you with an international community of artists.

Now in its sixth year, the Australian Theatre Festival NYC 2025 New Play Award will celebrate two new plays or musicals with distinct Australian voices.

Generously sponsored by Shane & Cathryn Brennan, the New Play Award offers a total cash prize of $20,000 USD for two unproduced, full-length plays or musicals written by Australian writers, over the age of 18.

Co-Artistic & Executive Directors Mark Barford & Connor Delves open submissions for the Australian Theatre Festival NYC 2025 New Play Award, awarding a total cash prize of $20,000 USD.

Co-Artistic & Executive Directors Mark Barford & Connor Delves open submissions for the Australian Theatre Festival NYC 2025 New Play Award, awarding a total cash prize of $20,000 USD.

Now in its sixth year, the Australian Theatre Festival NYC 2025 New Play Award will celebrate two new plays or musicals with distinct Australian voices. The New Play Award is generously sponsored by Shane & Cathryn Brennan.

The Australian Theatre Festival NYC's Cabaret at Green Room 42 on Saturday, November 23 was a thrilling celebration of Aussie talent that left the audience buzzing with energy and pride. From the very start, the show promised big moments, and it delivered in spades.

The Australian Theatre Festival NYC Season 2024 will run November 20-24 at Theatre Row & The Green Room 42 in New York City.

Eddie Perfect, Josh Pugh (America Josh) and Zjantelle Cammisa Markel were honored at the Australian Theatre Festival NYC 2024 Fundraising Gala, held at The Players NYC. The Festival, run by Founding Co-Artistic Directors & Executive Producers Mark Barford, Connor Delves & Jillian Geurts, celebrates 5 years in 2024.

The BEETLEJUICE! THE MUSICAL THE MUSICAL THE MUSICAL composer and lyricist was honored as the Artist Honoree of the Australian Theatre Festival NYC 2024 Gala on September 15. 

The Australian Theatre Festival NYC is an annual celebration of Australian stories & artists in New York City. The 2024 Gala saw Eddie Perfect perform a medley of “Dead Mom” (Beetlejuice) and a yet-to-be-released song about his experience leaving New York during the pandemic. 

Fellow Australian performers Kristen Plati, Marika Aubrey & Isaac Hayward entertained the sold-out audience as funds were raised for the 2024 Season, which runs November 18-24 in NYC.

Supporter Honorees Josh Pugh (America Josh) & Zjantelle Cammisa Markel were celebrated for their outstanding support of the festival and Australian in New York community.

The Australian Theatre Festival NYC has announced Eddie Grey as the winner of the 2024 New Play Award for CIRC, with Aliyah Knight named runner-up for Snakeface.

As the winner, Eddie Grey will receive $15,000 USD, developmental support, and a presentation of his play "CIRC" in the 2024 festival in NYC.

The 2023 Australian Theatre Festival in New York City has again proven to be a remarkable celebration of Australian talent and storytelling. In its fourth year, the festival continues to embody its ethos of supporting and amplifying Australian artists on a global stage.