Who we are
This one-of-a-kind event grew out of an awareness of the fragile relationship between performing arts bodies and government funding. It was in 2024 that our community despaired of local schools' inability to support elective drama, dance, and VET entertainment subjects. This meant that hundreds of young people were prevented from pursuing careers or education in the performing arts. This was not something that we could justify. And so, Shire Theatre Competition rose to answer this call to action.
This is not the first theatre performance competition, but there is a lot to make ours stick out. Formed from personal experience in various eisteddfods, theatresports, and other national improvisation performance formats, we felt passionate about many aspects of related events that we wanted to change. We believe that young people should be encouraged to pursue performance and supported in finding joy in their craft. The form of a competition can so easily foster an environment that is paradoxically unsupportive of the performer. We exist to resist that.
There was a clear need for an event like this, specifically for The Shire. Our community is brimming with incredible talent of all ages, from various musical theatre societies to locally run stage plays. But the nearest celebrations of the arts, such as festivals or similar events, are at least an hour away in any direction. The Sutherland Shire needed its own theatrical playground. This is in part what informs the performance categories we offer, which change every year to accommodate the ever changing nature of the art form.
Shire Theatre Competition maintains its position as one of the most innovative performance structures in Sydney, hosting categories that no one else does, like our singspiel and solo improvised performance sections, championing always, a celebration of the theatrical format and the endless lessons it provides us about ourselves, our community, and the world. It’s all a stage after all.
A Competition Built for Community
At its heart, Shire Theatre Competition is a community-first event. We proudly welcome:
All schools across the Sutherland Shire and beyond
Drama studios and performance groups
Independent performers who simply love to be on stage
Our mission is not just to showcase talent, but to nurture it—to give performers the opportunity to grow, connect, and learn in a supportive environment.
What Makes Us Unique
We want you to succeed, so we provide the most descriptive syllabus of any competition in the state AND publicly share our adjudication criteria before the competition so you know exactly what is being assessed and can tailor your delivery accordingly.
These criteria change each year, encouraging students to explore different styles of performance. By removing the guesswork, you can focus on making creative decisions with confidence.
Shire Theatre Competition offers a diverse and exciting program, including:
🎭 Prepared Performance Sections
For polished monologues, duologues, and rehearsed pieces.
⚡ Improvisation Sections
Where creativity, quick thinking, and play take centre stage.
We are proud to offer more improvisation categories than ANY OTHER theatre competition in NSW, making us a standout destination for performers who love spontaneity, comedy, and bold choices.
Our Vision for the Future
This is just the beginning.We are committed to a four-year growth plan, expanding our syllabus to include:
New and innovative theatre games
Emerging performance styles
Fresh acting formats not yet seen in traditional competitions
Our goal is to continue evolving alongside the industry—creating a competition that is not only relevant, but leading the way.
More Than a Competition
Shire Theatre Competition is more than medals and placements.
It’s:
A stage for local talent
A community of performers and supporters
A celebration of storytelling in all its forms
Most importantly, it’s a place where every performer can walk in, feel supported, and leave more confident than when they arrived.
