About Steamworks Arts

We create socially and politically charged performances

Established in 2001 the company is led by Director Sally Richardson with each project developed around a collective of multi-disciplined artists including designers, performers, writers, composers and filmmakers. We collaborate with emerging and established artists and companies, business and the wider community. The result is challenging and relevant works that combine contemporary ideas with a powerful theatricality.

We believe that engaging in the Arts changes lives and are committed to shaping an Australian arts culture that is environmentally sustainable, reflecting and engaging with our changing society and the world in which we live, while championing the voice, presence, leadership and creativity of women in the arts.

Sally Richardson

Director

Sally Richardson

Director

Sally is an Australian director, writer, dramaturg, arts consultant and producer working across the performing arts. She is passionately committed to the creation of new work and collaborating with other artists with a focus on contemporary theatre, dance and performance.

Sally has been commissioned, created and directed for companies and organisations including: Sydney Theatre Company, Black Swan Theatre Company, Perth Theatre Company, Yirra Yaakin Theatre Company, Malthouse Theatre, Spare Parts Puppet Theatre, Deckchair Theatre, The Flying Fruitfly Circus, The National Institute of Circus Arts, Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts, WAAPA ECU, NAISDA, Performing Lines, and others.

Commissions and productions range from intimate boutique works, through to new circus, puppetry and film projects, in addition to facilitating large scale community events and programs.

Productions have been presented nationally and internationally and been a winner/finalist for Helpmann Awards, PAWA, Green Room and Blue Room Awards, Ausdance Awards and selected for Dance Australia Critics Choice.
Sally is a past recipient of an Australia Council dramaturgy fellowship and a creative fellowship (WA Department of Culture and the Arts) She is a former Artistic Director of Playworks Australia and Stages WA, and founding director of MAXIMA Circus.

Achievements

JULIA showcases at ISPA 75th World Congress 2024

歸屬 GUI SHU video screens at OzAsia Festival 2021

歸屬 GUI SHU wins awards for Best Stage Design & Best Lighting at Performing Arts Awards WA

歸屬 GUI SHU premiere season at Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts 2019

DANCE MASSIVE 2019 studio showcases GUI SHU (belong) and #thatwomanjulia

Steamworks Director selected for Australia Council Arts Leaders Program 2019

Asia Discovers Asia Meeting (Taipei) GUI SHU (belong) presentation 2018

Trigger Warning published by Australian Script Centre (Australia Plays.org) 2017

Trigger Warning premieres PICA 2016 (co-produced with PLWA)

The Dirty Cowboy Runner Up Best Theatre Award - FRINGEWORLD 2015

Hong Kong Tour Hong Kong International People's Fringe Festival 2014

Rites: Dying to Dance Runner Up Best Dance Award - FRINGEWORLD 2014

Standing Bird 2 The Blue Room Theatre - Finalist Best Production, Best Performance, Judges Choice Awards, Ausdance WA Awards - Winner Most Outstanding Performance by Female Performer 2013

Opening of the Place of Reflection - Lotterywest - Kings Park 2012

The Ghost's Child World premiere - Mandurah Performing Arts Centre 2012

Standing Bird FRINGEWORLD 2012 - Finalist Best Dance Award, Finalist Best Newcomer, 2012 Dance Australia Critics Choice Awards - Outstanding Female Performer, Australian Dance Awards, Finalist Most Outstanding Performance by a Female Dancer

Live@Woodside community arts events 2008, 2009, 2010, Perth City/ Karratha Finalist ABAF Awards Business & Arts Partnership Award

International China Tour: China Shanghai International Arts Festival, Beijing International Dance Festival The Drover's Wives 2007

Perth International Arts Festival world premiere The Drover's Wives - Finalist Helpmann Awards - Best Original Score (Iain Grandage), Best Costume Design (Zoe Atkinson)
Finalist WA Ausdance Awards - Best Female Performer, Best Choreography, Winner Outstanding Achievement in Design.

Steamworks Arts Dance Australia Critics Choice Awards: Most Interesting Group and Best New Work The Drover's Wives 2006

Steamworks Arts acknowledges the Traditional Owners of this country across Australia, recognising their continuing connection to land, waters and community. We pay our respects to them and their cultures; and to elders both past, present and emerging.

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