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Make Room is an artist-focused initiative of Theatre North, managers of Launceston’s Albert Hall. Addressing a gap in affordable creative spaces, Make Room offers the John Duncan Room at no/low-cost as a space for small rehearsals, creative development, writing, or research.

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

Theatre North is offering two types of use under the Make Room program.

Short Form: five working days, Mon-Fri, during business hours
Long Form: between two and four weeks, largely during business hours

This program is currently in the pilot phase. We anticipate offering up to three Short Form slots and one Long Form slot per year. Given the demands on space in and around Launceston, the expectation is that the JDR will be used fulsomely during both Short and Long Form residencies.

Short Form Residency
We work with artists to identify a mutually agreeable week. Successful applicants will have exclusive access to the space* and access will be provided by Theatre North staff on a daily basis. There is no venue hire cost to the artist.

Long Form Residency
We work with artists to identify a mutually agreeable set of consecutive weeks. Successful applicants will have exclusive access to the space* and will be invited to discuss out-of-hours access requirements, if any. There is a small charge ($80/week) to cover a weekly clean.

*There may be times when Theatre North staff or contractors require access to the room, or there are some noise restrictions placed on activity. These will be communicated well in advance.

Remuneration / Funding
Make Room is simply an offer of space. The program does not support wages, fees or project expenses.

Public Outcome
There is no requirement for a public outcome for Make Room activity.

The John Duncan Room (JDR) is situated in the northern wing of Launceston’s Albert Hall – a grand civic and performance space built in 1891. The JDR is designed primarily for meetings, presentations and get-togethers, and is 92m2 with a small stage at one end. Featuring a high ceiling, gorgeous light and a kitchenette, the JDR had a makeover in 2025. Floorplans and technical details can be found here (LINK).

While it is not a traditional rehearsal room (think carpet, lush drapes and a 70s ceiling), we know that no/low-cost space for artists is hard to come by and if your activity marries with the room, we would love to make it work.

We can make available tables and chairs, Wi-Fi and power. The room has a large TV wall-mounted over a small stage, and a kitchenette at the other end. If you require audio gear, lighting, etc. please discuss with Theatre North. Due to the heavy utilisation of the venue spaces, we cannot guarantee the availability of technical equipment.

The program is open to performers, writers, dramaturgs, researchers and multi-disciplinary artists who live and work in Northern Tasmania, or who are making work for presentation or publication in or about Northern Tasmania.

Please note that due to the carpet flooring in the room, the program may not be suitable for dance/circus/physical theatre artists.  The JDR is not suited to the creation of visual art or any artisanal ‘making’ activity.

Examples of what a Make Room residency could involve:

  • Writers room for a play, book, poetry, etc. (solo or collaborative)
  • Testing ideas in creative development
  • Rehearsal for performance work

Artists at any stage of their career are invited to apply.  We encourage applications from artists from diverse backgrounds and experiences, artists with disability and LGBTQIA+ artists. Please note there are access quirks to the John Duncan Room.

Applications will be assessed by a small panel convened by Theatre North’s Creative Director.

Assessment Criteria:

  • Suitability of the proposed activity for the space
  • Alignment of the proposed activity with room availability
  • Alignment of the proposed activity with Theatre North’s values
  • Quality and viability of the proposed activity

Prior to the Residency
Prior to the residency, with your consent, Theatre North may promote the engagement through social and traditional media channels.

After the Residency 
We will send you a short survey for both qualitative and quantitative data collection and feedback. By submitting an application, you acknowledge that you will contribute to this vital part of the project.

Successful applicants are required to acknowledge Theatre North as a supporter in any further development or public outcomes arising from the Make Room residency.

If you have any questions, please contact marketing@theatrenorth.com.au.

APPLY NOW

Image credit: Angie Blair