Long Live Big Little Theatre

Red Stitch plays a fundamental role in shaping, defining and exploring the community around us by creating the most engaging theatre in our sector. As a company, we are committed to helping the artists who create this to work thrive. 

Thank you to everyone who has already contributed to our Long Live Big Little Theatre campaign, and to those who have pledged to increase their support over the three year campaign drive (2024–2026).

This campaign is a key part of our long-term strategy. It allows us to invest in programs that generate income for artists and the company, while building an endowed Future Fund for stability in the years to come.

The funding climate is understandably challenging. We will not know outcomes of our state funding applications for 2026 until December 2025, and the organisation receives no federal funding. Companies with more resources than Red Stitch are closing their doors or scaling back. Meanwhile, the cost of living continues to pressure many audiences and artists.

At Red Stitch we currently generate at least $9 through earned income and private giving for every $1 of public funding we have received. The generosity of our community has a huge impact on our organisation.

Please consider doubling your support in 2025 and 2026 to help us reach our $2 million goal.

Red Stitch has long been celebrated for doing a lot with a little. The quality of our work is palpable. Audiences leave our intimate theatre energised, often telling others to go see the show - fast. Our audiences are growing.

To make our work sustainable, we need to do more than survive on passion. We need to increase our revenue. Not to become a large company, but to invest in our income-generating programs.

Behind the scenes, your support is already making a measurable impact:

• Multiple sold-out and extended seasons in our home theatre

• Over 400% increase in artist wages on in-house productions

• 20+ new Australian plays produced

• 30% of new Australian work touring nationally or internationally

• 2,500+ artists and arts workers employed

• Increased engagement with under 30s audiences by approximately 50%

• Hundreds of students participating in our Education & Engagement programs annually

• Our first commercial transfer to the Comedy Theatre (2024)

• Our first production at Sydney Theatre Company (2025)

Red Stitch forms a vital bridge between independent practice and larger institutions. A number of current ensemble members first encountered Red Stitch as teenagers, inspired by our productions. Now, they are shaping the future of the company.

Artists in Australia face great insecurity. Even well-known names in our sector often lack a stable income. We are taking action at our level:

• Increasing artist wages in the small-to-medium sector

• Prioritising artist employment in all areas of our organisation

• Extending the life of our productions through touring and transfers

• Providing flexible, meaningful work that supports primary artistic roles and sustains creative practice

Red Stitch is leading the sector in our commitment to dedicating at least 50% of our annual expenditure directly to artists, no matter how much we grow.

Thank you for being a Champion of Big Little Theatre.
Your support helps us build a stronger, more vibrant future for Australian theatre.

We are calling on you as a supporter of Red Stitch, to consider becoming a Champion of Big Little Theatre. Will you help set this ambitious campaign in motion? Please consider a tax-deductible donation today. 

For more information please contact admin@redstitch.net