Heat 1 – 27 May at 7.30pm
Heat 2 – 28 May at 7.30pm
Finale – 30 May at 7.30pm
TICKETS
Heats
Full $30
Concession $25
Gold Card $24
Finale
Full $40
Concession $35
Gold Card $32
WARNINGS
Contains nudity, adult content and references to mental health.
and physical theatre artists and one of the only opportunities of its kind in Victoria. We provide a
platform for circus performers to develop innovative acts for presentation, culminating in an on-stage
showcase in front of a live audience and industry experts. Entries received are shortlisted, and
finalists perform in one of two Heats (Wed 27 and Thu 28 May), and if selected, go on to perform at the
Finale (Sat 30 May).
What kind of work are we looking for?
Entries are invited from individuals or groups of circus performers of all kinds. Acts or excerpts of
acts must be between 10 to 15 minutes in duration. Preference will be given to work that has not had a
ticketed season in Melbourne. You must complete all sections of the entry form and be available for
the rehearsal and performance dates including the Finale show.
You will need to ensure you (and, where applicable, your group) can be available for rehearsals,
which will take place the week before the Heats and Final.
Mon 18 May: bump-in (you may need to drop off/rig/test your apparatus)
Tue 19 to Wed 20 May: lighting plot during the day, rehearsals/rigging in the evening for acts in Heat 1
Thu 21 to Fri 22 May: lighting plot during the day, rehearsals/rigging in the evening for acts in Heat 2
How does the selection process work?
Submit your completed entry form along with supplementary materials of your work. We encourage
applications for works that are new or in-development, and innovation will be looked on favourably.
The selection panel will assess your entry based on:
– quality of your/your group’s skills
– quality of the act proposed
– capacity to deliver the act
– development stage of act
– career stage of you/your group and benefit of your participation.
From the entries received, up to 8 shortlisted acts will be selected to perform at one of the Heats, held
over 2 nights. Up to 4 acts selected by the judges will go on to perform at the Finale. Based on
discussions with the shortlisted acts, the judges will deliberate and Awards will be announced.
APPLICATIONS CLOSE SUNDAY 29 MARCH AT MIDNIGHT
No late entries will be accepted.
Technical support and application advice will not be available after midday on Thursday 26 March.
Shortlisted acts present excerpts of new shows, and unprecedented development awards will help artists to take their works to new heights. New awards to be announced, thanks to new funding support from the Robert Salzer Foundation, Creative Victoria, NICA, & Adelaide Fringe.
“Fifth year in attending and it continues to enthrall me” – Audience Member
This program is supported by the Victorian Government through Creative Victoria and the Robert Salzer Foundation.
The only performance opportunity of its kind in Australia, Gasworks Circus Showdown invites artists from across Australia to present 10-15 minute acts (solo, duo, or groups) in a professional venue under the guidance of experienced circus professionals. Participants have access to rehearsal space and then proceed through semi final nights, and receive feedback by a live panel of industry professionals. The series culminates in a final showcase which brings the most advanced artists together for one night, where an overall winner is awarded with a series of career development opportunities. Previous finalists have used Gasworks Circus Showdown as a springboard to develop new works which have been performed nationally and internationally. They have also been offered further performance opportunities at Gasworks Arts Park.
Gasworks Circus Showdown aims to create discovery in the arts, breaking new ground and setting opportunities for the future. The City of Port Phillip is fast becoming a home to quality circus and physical theatre and Gasworks Circus Showdown aims to consolidate this potential by offering a stepping-stone for showcasing and developing new and emerging talent. This unique project engages directly with emerging and mid-career circus artists and provides them with professional development opportunities far beyond their ordinary reach.
