(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.
Inspiring Social Change Through Purpose in Performance OUR VISION
Activate and strengthen community OUR MISSION
Grow a sustainable professional performance hub
Engage and elevate creativity
Drive broader horizons
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)
(DRAGSPEARE:DRAG KINGS DO SHAKESPEARE, STALLION SQUAD, 2024)
PLY?
plications from; roles es mative gender ducers artists, including those from ounds, abilities, gender
Our team works closely with of each production by eded. We are seeking bold, nversation, challenge n 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.
PIP RESPONSIBILITIES
Provide the venue for performances and retain a percentage of the Net Box Office
Allocate 3 days for bump-in & tech setup, 0.5-1 day for bumpout (subject to availability).
Supply venue-standard technical equipment (as per tech specs).
Deliver PIP’s standard marketing package, including website listings, social media, EDMs, and industry comps.
Manage ticketing services & front-of-house (ushers, bar staff, customer service).
Provide background music license for pre/post-show music.
Offer general support and advice in all areas of production whenever possible.
(BANGING DENMARK, PIP THEATRE, 2024)
CO-PRODUCER RESPONSIBILITIES
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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
(POTLUCK PLAYS, 7TH FLOOR THEATRE, 2025)
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
1x JBL PartyBox Encore Portable Speaker with 2 Wireless Mics
CRITERIA GUIDING PRINCIPLES
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.
(FUN HOME , PIP THEATRE, 2024)
Social Change Agenda
Desirable Feasible
Viable What creatives want to produce / stories to tell What audiences want to see
DESIRABLE
FEASIBLE
Shows that audiences need, want, and connect with, fostering engagement and meaningful conversation. Productions should be thought-provoking, entertaining, and relevant. 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
Productions that are financially sustainable, operating within realistic budgets to ensure the long-term success of both the artists and the theatre.
ASSESSMENT
SOCIAL CAPABILITY
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.
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 custom
TICKET FEE $1.10 per ticket (included in ticket price)
BANK FEE Varies - approx 1.75% incl GST (charged to cus
GST PIP Theatre is registered for GST-all ticket pric 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.