Co-Production Application Guide 2026

2026 CO-PRODUCTION APPLICATION GUIDE

(AIMAY, EMBODI THEATRE 2024)

ABOUT US

PIP Theatre is a registered charity that harnesses the power of performing arts to create social change. As an independent production company and performing arts venue, we serve as a dynamic platform for theatre producers and creatives to enrich Brisbane's vibrant performing arts scene.

To us, "Purpose In Performance" means making an impact by telling meaningful stories, fostering creativity by providing local artists with paid performance opportunities, and broadening horizons by presenting diverse stories.

OUR VISION Inspiring Social Change Through Purpose in Performance

OUR MISSION Grow a sustainable professional performance hub Engage and elevate creativity Drive broader horizons Activate and strengthen community

OUR VALUES PIP People are Kind, Respectful, Equitable, Collaborative, Diverse, Creative

WHAT IS A CO-PRODUCTION? Co-productions are programmed as part of PIP Theatre’s curated season. A co-production means sharing resources, expertise, and some level of financial risk and reward. Rather than a standard venue hire model, co-productions operate on a net box office split agreement. This approach reduces financial barriers, allowing creatives to focus on their craft while only being responsible for their own production costs.

PIP Theatre provides access to our venue, technical facilities, and production support, including box office, ticketing, front-ofhouse management, and administrative assistance. We also actively promote co-productions as part of our seasonal programming. We ask that our co-producing partners contribute with professionalism, commitment, and active participation in marketing and promotion.

Co-production proposals are reviewed based on artistic merit, feasibility, and alignment with PIP Theatre’s programming goals.

We look for projects with a strong creative vision that align with our mission of Purpose in Performance.

The length of your season is determined by both the number of performances and the feasibility of sustaining audience interest throughout the run. As a general guide:

4 or fewer performances - 1 Week (eg Thurs-Sat) 8-10 performances - 2 Weeks (eg Wed-Sat or Thurs-Sat + matinee) 12+ performances - 3 Weeks (eg Wed-Sat + matinee) For less than 4 performances, enquire about our venue hire model.

(ISLANDER, PASSION PRODUCTIONS, 2022)

WHO SHOULD APPLY? PIP Theatre invites and welcomes applications from; First Nations-led projects and/or roles Disability-led projects and/or roles Female playwrights and/or affirmative gender representation Emerging artists and collectives Established and professional producers We are committed to supporting all artists, including those from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds, abilities, gender identities, and sexual orientations. Our team works closely with co-producers to ensure the success of each production by providing tailored support where needed. We are seeking bold, socially relevant plays that spark conversation, challenge perspectives, and engage audiences in meaningful ways.

TIMELINES Applications will be assessed on a rolling basis, and programming will be confirmed progressively. We encourage early submissions to secure a spot in the lineup.

The 2026 season will be announced in December 2025 with marketing and photography due August/September TBC.

(DRAGSPEARE:DRAG KINGS DO SHAKESPEARE, STALLION SQUAD, 2024)

PIP RESPONSIBILITIES

CO-PRODUCER RESPONSIBILITIES

Provide the venue for performances and retain a percentage of the Net Box Office.

Cover all production-related costs (set, props, artist fees, marketing materials).

Allocate 3 days for bump-in & tech setup, 0.5-1 day for bumpout (subject to availability).

Engage and manage the production team, including crew, lighting & sound operators.

Supply venue-standard technical equipment (as per tech specs).

Sign an agreement and pay a bond to confirm performance dates.

Deliver PIP’s standard marketing package, including website listings, social media, EDMs, and industry comps.

Invest in professional quality images and manage marketing & publicity beyond PIP’s standard marketing support.

Manage ticketing services & front-of-house (ushers, bar staff, customer service).

Keep PIP updated on production progress and allow a PIP representative to view a tech run.

Provide background music license for pre/post-show music.

Ensure the venue is returned to standard condition during bump-out.

Offer general support and advice in all areas of production whenever possible.

Have and maintain Public Liability Insurance

(BANGING DENMARK, PIP THEATRE, 2024)

THEATRE PIP Theatre’s main performance space is a versatile theatre featuring modular, carpeted podium staging that can be adjusted to suit various layouts. The standard seating capacity is 100 in a traditional setup, with a maximum of 130 when stage depth is reduced. The space includes a mezzanine-level bio box equipped with technical facilities, accessible bathrooms, and a curtained rat run along the right side leading to a holding room. A red velvet proscenium arch curtain frames the stage and we have black curtained side wings. The backdrop is a white wall, but curtains or set can be added at the back if desired.

100 Capacity 130 Capacity with reduced stage depth Traditional Layout: 6m wide x 4m deep.

60cm High Mezzanine level bio box overlooking the stage

Red velvet proscenium arch curtain and side wings Standard Lighting Rig, FOH & Foldback Speakers & Projector

LVL1 STUDIO The Level One Studio is a versatile rehearsal and performance space located on the first floor of the venue. It features a black box layout with a flat floor, making it suitable for small-scale productions, creative developments, or play readings. The space is equipped with basic lighting and sound capabilities, and staging platforms (each 1.8m x 2.4m) that can be configured in different layouts.

40-50 Capacity depending on configuration 2 x staging systems measuring 1.8m x 2.4m each 4x Chauvet DJ LED Par Can lights with Bluetooth and iPad to operate lights 1x ViewSonic Projector

(POTLUCK PLAYS, 7TH FLOOR THEATRE, 2025)

1x JBL PartyBox Encore Portable Speaker with 2 Wireless Mics

CRITERIA GUIDING PRINCIPLES

Social Change Agenda

At PIP Theatre, our programming decisions are guided by three key principles: Desirability, Feasibility, and Viability.

Productions that align with all three of these elements sit at the heart of our programming, striking a balance between social impact, audience engagement, and creative vision.

 D esirable

What audiences want to see

Feasible

Viable

What creatives want to produce / stories to tell

DESIRABLE Shows that audiences need, want, and connect with, fostering engagement and meaningful conversation.

Productions should be thought-provoking, entertaining, and relevant.

FEASIBLE

Productions that leverage the strengths and capabilities of PIP Theatre and our collaborators, ensuring practical and effective delivery. We seek works that can be successfully realised within our space and resources.

VIABLE (FUN HOME , PIP THEATRE, 2024)

Productions that are financially sustainable, operating within realistic budgets to ensure the long-term success of both the artists and the theatre.

ASSESSMENT SOCIAL Works that highlight a social message or inspire discussion on important issues.

Productions led by or featuring a diverse range of performers, including underrepresented voices in the arts.

First Nations-led projects and/or roles.

Disability-led projects and/or roles.

Female playwrights and/or affirmative gender representation.

Development of original works (fostering new voices) Community engagement opportunities, for audiences to engage beyond the performance itself.

CAPABILITY Led by a team of actively engaged performing arts professionals or individuals with an established body of work.

A collaborative and creative approach.

A set and design that aligns with the venue’s existing layout, technical specifications, and available equipment, ensuring feasibility within the space without requiring major structural changes or additional resources.

High-quality promotional materials, including professionally captured photography and/or professionally designed graphics, that meet industry standards and effectively represent the production.

A commitment to sustaining a mainhouse season

BUSINESS VIABILITY An existing audience following or a clear strategy for audience engagement.

Offers paid professional opportunities for artists and creatives by budgeting for a co-op profit share or contracted rates, ensuring fair compensation within the production’s financial model.

Secured funding or clear fundraising plans to support production costs and ensure financial sustainability.

The duration and number of performances planned within the season.

Ticket pricing strategy A realistic strategy for maintaining audience attendance across multiple shows

NET BOX OFFICE SHARE

NET BOX OFFICE DEFINITION

Co-productions are an agreement between the coproducer and PIP as a box office split arrangement.

Net Box Office is defined as gross box office less ticketing and box office charges (excluding GST), which include but are not limited to; booking, credit card and event setup fees.

DEPOSIT & AGREEMENT To encourage a lock-in commitment to the season, co-producers are asked pay a deposit of $1000 (payments plans available) to secure the performance slot. This bond is refunded after the performance and successful bump out.

Bond is due upon signing an Agreement. The agreement must be returned and the bond paid before the production being confirmed.

BOX OFFICE FEES TYPE

FEE - DEDUCTED AT SETTLEMENT.

TICKET EVENT SETUP FEE

$220

BOOKING FEE

$3.30 incl GST per order (charged to customer)

TICKET FEE

$1.10 per ticket (included in ticket price)

BANK FEE

Varies - approx 1.75% incl GST (charged to customer)

GST

PIP Theatre is registered for GST-all ticket prices, fees and charges include GST

*prices subject to change

(FUN HOME, PIP THEATRE, 2024)

STANDARD MARKETING PACKAGE WHAT WE OFFER Event page listing on piptheatre.org 'What's On' page and individual ticket page.

Event submission to external Brisbane event websites.

A dedicated and structured feed on PIPs Facebook and Instagram (dependent on content provided) Email newsletter to our subscriber database (over 4000 subs).

Discussion of potential giveaways and other marketing ideas to boost engagement.

Visual Design assistance (on request).

PIP will send emails to reviewers on behalf of your company.

Connections to photographers and videographers for high quality Production photos and Q&A/teaser videos.

WHAT WE NEED FROM YOU Professional high-quality hero image - (if you don’t have a hero image at the time of your application, you’ll need to provide a marketing brief that includes photoshoot concepts, proposed dates, and any relevant contacts or plans.)

Extra content for socials (cast announcements, rehearsal pictures, character shots ect.)

Before submitting your hero image, ask yourself: Would you buy a ticket to see the show just from the poster/image alone Is the image/poster intriguing, leaving people wanting to find out more?

Is this image appealing to your intended target market?

Does this image clearly convey the tone or theme of your production?

Will this image stand out among other show advertisements?

Does the image align with the branding and visual style of the production?

Is the image high-quality and suitable for various platforms (digital and print)?

FAQS DO I HAVE ACCESS TO THE SPACE FOR THE ENTIRE DURATION OF MY CO-PRO Co-productions are granted exclusive use of the space only during bump-in, technical rehearsals, scheduled performances, and bump-out. Outside of these times, the venue is not exclusively available for your production.

While you do not have to bump-out between shows, there may be other events (such as rehearsals, meetings, auditions) that may use part of the theatre space or level one areas, outside of your scheduled performance hours (+1.5hrs either side). While we will ensure these external events will not touch any set items, props or lighting rig, we ask that you save your lighting plot to an external USB for safety, and advise of any fragile equipment/items should It need to be moved aside.

Any additional venue access outside of your performance schedule must be requested in your schedule of events, which is due to PIP Theatre three weeks before bump-in.

WHAT TIME IS BUMP-IN/OUT We have a tight production schedule with performances running almost back-to-back, so bump-in and bump-out times are carefully scheduled to allow a smooth transition between productions.

• Bump-in generally begins at 12pm on Sunday if your preview is on Wednesday and opening night is Thursday. If your opening night is Friday, bump-in typically starts on Monday.

• Bump-out must be completed before 12pm on Sunday if your final performance is on Saturday night.

ARE THERE ANY RESTRICTIONS ON WHAT CAN BE BROUGHT INTO THE SPACE? The venue does not have large stage doors for equipment loading. The main point of access is our foyer lift.

Any large set items will need to be easily transportable and assembled at the theatre, keeping in mind that no construction (e.g., building or painting) is permitted in the theatre. Assembly or simply drilling together set pieces is acceptable.

Additionally, substances that could cause damage or create excessive mess, such as paints or chemicals, must be approved by PIP Theatre in advance. A relevant risk assessment will be required to ensure the safety of both the venue and the people involved.