UpStage
UpStage at the Playhouse is an exciting initiative developed by the Civic Theatre for the City of Newcastle. The program aims to connect with the vibrancy and talent of our local theatre community by co-presenting and supporting works that showcase the ability and creativity of the Newcastle region. It is an opportunity to introduce fresh, new and adapted works which will be presented and performed by the local artists.
Now in its second year, the program will bring local shows to local audiences, support the creative talent in our region, and bring our community and creative industry closer, cementing the connections between the theatre, our community, and the arts industry.
UpStage's annual program will be showcased in the Civic Theatre's atmospheric 179-seat venue, the Playhouse.
We are delighted to announce four exciting works as part of our 2025 program. Please join us in celebrating local creativity.
Leonie Wallace
Manager, Civic Theatre Newcastle
UpStage at the Playhouse 2025
The Prophetic Tragedy of Macbeth and Those Who Knew Him | 20 - 29 March
Written by William Shakespeare, adapted by Pippa Thoroughgood
Produced by All's One Theatre
Calvin Berger - A Musical Comedy | 4 - 12 July
Produced by Hyde Entertainment
Book, Music and Lyrics by Barry Wyner
Orchestration by Doug Besterman
Original Direction by Kathleen Marshall
Scene Change Music Arranged by Aron Accurso
#This Is Not Journalism | 26 September - 4 October
Written by Ross Mueller
Produced by Australian Writers Theatre
A Very Newy Chrissy | 6 - 15 November
Written by Nat Newman
Produced by One for the Road Productions
About the Creative Teams
All's One Theatre
All’s One Theatre is a response to the ever-growing market for new, contemporary theatre in Newcastle. All’s One believes there should always be a space for classic stories to be told in a modern way; pulling from the stories told by our ancestors to help us navigate this wild and strange world we live in. All's One aims to foster a love and fellowship with the playwrights of old, not only Shakespeare — who gave us our name — but Ibsen, Chekhov, Strindberg, all the way back to Euripides and Sophocles. Artistic Director, Pippa Thoroughgood, has held significant roles on the stage, as well as a passionate career in adapting classic scripts.
Hyde Entertainment
Hyde Entertainment is a Newcastle-based theatrical and entertainment company. With a mission statement of seeing youth talent centre stage, the company is helmed by youth creative Seb Smee, who founded Hyde Entertainment at just 17 years old after producing an extremely successful Australian Premiere season of the British play Chatroom. Since then, Hyde continues to produce high-quality theatre in Newcastle and beyond.
Hyde Entertainment is proud to be forging a path in Newcastle of offering young people the chance to shine in more ways than just on the stage. You can stay abreast of Hyde Entertainment's work by following them on Instagram and Facebook, @Hyde_Entertainment.
Australian Writers Theatre
Ross Mueller is the Artistic Director and founder of Australian Writers Theatre. Mueller has written extensively legacy & online media. He covers politics, arts & sports as a freelance for News Corp and Crikey. His plays have been performed by Malthouse, Melbourne Theatre Company, Sydney Theatre Company, Griffin Theatre Company and Red Stitch Actors Theatre. In 2020 he was the winner of the Georgi Markov Award, BBC International Audio Drama Prize. He has been a resident writer at New York New Dramatists in New York City and the Royal Court Theatre in London.
One for the Road Productions
One For the Road is a Newcastle film and theatre production company that aims to elevate female and non-binary voices. It is headed up by Creative Directors Bronwyn Sartori and Nat Newman, who are multidisciplinary artists based in Newcastle (Awabakal and Worimi land) working in music, art and performance. Through its award-winning productions, One For The Road pursues the philosophy that all art is collaborative, and that stories should inspire artists and audiences to find wonder and joy in the universe.
Ticket Office
Call 02 4929 1977 on weekdays from 9am to 5pm, or visit the Ticket Office in person between 10am and 2pm on weekdays or 1 hour prior to Civic Theatre performances.
Tickets can be purchased online at any time.
