About Steamworks Arts

We create socially and politically charged performances

Established in 2001 Steamworks 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 co-create and collaborate with emerging and established artists and companies , partnering with venues, presenters and communities. The result is creations that combine contemporary storytelling with a powerful theatricality.
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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 Richardson is one of the country’s finest creative collaborators, a compassionate and imaginative powerhouse who draws truth and power from all who have the privilege of working with her. (Iain Grandage, Artistic Director, Perth Festival)

Sally is an Australian director, writer, dramaturg, producer and arts consultant working cross the performing arts. She is passionately committed to the development and creation of new work and collaborating with other artists with a focus on contemporary theatre, dance, and performance.
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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 Contemporary Arts, WAAPA ECU, NAISDA, Performing Lines and others.
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Commissions and productions range from intimate boutique works through to new circus, puppetry and film projects, in addition to facilitating larger scale community events and programs.

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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 been slected 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.

Sally is a passionate advocate for the performing arts in Australia, roles here include; past board director of Theatre Board of the Australia Council, SWY Theatre, Playworks, Spare Parts Puppet Theatre, Circus WA, Yirra Yaakin, Ausdance National. The artistic advisory of Black Swan Theatre, Deckchair Theatre, Barking Gecko Theatre Company. The development advisory for STRUT National Choreographic Centre and industry advisory of ACAPTA (Australian Circus & Physical Theatre Association) and NICA, amongst others

A previous director of script development agencies Playworks National Women Writers Workshop (Australia) and Stages WA, Sally collaborated with Yirra Yaakin Aboriginal Theatre Company as a dramaturg, director, Partnerships and Special Projects Manager, creative producer, and twice as Acting General Manager.

She regularly acts as a peer assessor for government and industry panels/awards including Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries in WA, Creative Australia and the Ministry for the Arts. She is a previous Helpmann Award panelist for Theatre, associate artist with Co:3 Australia and was Deputy Chair of Community Arts Network (Australia)

In 2016 Sally launched circus theatre company MAXIMA in a first-time partnership with Mandurah Performing Arts Centre. She collaborated with Performing Lines WA 2008 - 2020, and has acted as artist in residence and Guest Lecturer at WAAPA, Curtin and Edith Cowan Universities, and a Guest Director at NICA, and the National Aboriginal Islander Dance College NAISDA (NSW)

She has undertaken artist residencies across Australia including Bundanon (NSW), PICA (Perth), in Lutruwita/Tasmania, and internationally in Iceland, Hong Kong and Taiwan.

Sally has been the Creative Director/ Producer for various large-scale events and productions including Live@Woodside, an award-winning three-year community partnership with Woodside Australia. She was the Creative Director for the Opening of the Place of Reflection at Kings Park, commissioned by Lotterywest. Other clients include: WA Business News, WA Department of Culture and the Arts, and the Western Australian Museum (Perth)

Sally has actively sought to develop and grow relationships and connections in the Asian region. As a 2015 Asialink Artist she exhibited a selection of short films in the International group show ‘False Start: Situational Exploratorium’ collaborating with 10 Taiwanese artists on The Ghost Project. She has been selected to participate in forums/events including OzAsia Connect and AsiaTOPA Connect, China SPAF, Wuzhen Theatre Festival, Performing Asia Program (APAM), ADAM 2 (Asia Discovers Asia Meeting 2018), Borak Arts Series, Dance Massive and in 2019 premiered the four-year collaboration with Australian/Taiwanese artists GUI SHU at Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts.

Sally was selected for Playwriting Australia's DUOLOGUES program and is a graduate of Australia Council Arts Leaders Program (2019). In 2020 she showcased GUI SHU at APAM as part of AsiaTOPA.

Other credits inc: CATCH! (AWESOME Festival), MEDEA (Black Swan Theatre Company) MUSE (Situ8, STCWA/STRUT), Savage Grace by Alana Valentine (STCWA) and the multi award-winning JULIA, a co-creation with choreographer Natalie Allen (STCWA, INDance Sydney Dance Company, WA regional Tour 2022, Circuitwest, APAX, ISPA (2024)

Her online dance on film International collaboration with Emma Fishwick, Feminism Has No Borders premiered at the 2021 Perth International Arts Festival, video work GUI SHU (Belong) showcased at OzAsia Festival in Adelaide in 2021.

In 2025 Steamworks celebrated 25 years of operation as an independent company.
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Sally most recently was Executive Producer for the Ten Days on the Island Festival from 2022 - 2025. New works currently in development include TROPHY, The Conversation, with residencies being undertaken in 2026 in Tasmania, South Australia, WA and UK.

Achievements

JULIA showcases at ISPA 75th World Congress 2024

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歸屬 GUI SHU video screens at OzAsia Festival 2021

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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

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

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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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About Steamworks Arts

Sally Richardson

Sally Richardson

Achievements

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.

Stay Connected

Socials

Steamworks Arts acknowledges the Traditional Owners of country throughout Australia and recognises 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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