In 2025, Backroads awarded three $7,000 grants to support small-scale, high quality performing arts productions to tour regional and remote NSW. Together, the three productions will visit 15 communities and stage 15 performances in 2026. You can read more about the successful projects below.

Village Circuit - 'Prima Facie'

Northern Rivers Performing Arts (NORPA)

Touring February 2026

A new mobile model including a new touring circuit across six venues to bring theatre to towns and villages across the Northern Rivers, reducing geographic barriers, and building anticipation through repeat visits. The inaugural NORPA Village Circuit tour is Suzie Miller’s award-winning Prima Facie. This new NORPA production of the acclaimed one-woman play will offer audiences a gripping, thought-provoking experience that resonates deeply with contemporary Australian society, offering a compelling narrative that explores critical issues around consent, justice, and personal agency.

Byron Theatre, Byron Bay | 12-14 February | BOOK
Tweed Heads Civic Centre | 19 February | BOOK
Murwillumbah Civic and Cultural Centre | 20 February | BOOK
Kyogle Memorial Institute | 21 February | BOOK
Saraton Theatre, Grafton | 25 February | BOOK
Star Court Theatre, Lismore | 27-28 February | BOOK

Learn more

Banjo

Got Ya Back Productions

Touring March & May 2026

A music-theatre production that intertwines the poetry of Banjo Paterson with the melodies of Coldplay and the language of contemporary dance. Through this fusion, the show loosely traces Paterson's life events, offering a visceral, exciting, and beautifully fresh narrative that feels both timeless and new. Banjo explores the dual themes of the hardships and the beauty of life in regional Australia. It celebrates the richness of the Australian experience while acknowledging the challenges of rural life, encouraging the audience to connect with both the joys and the struggles that define the regional experience.

Kempsey Bandbox Theatre | 5 March
Saraton Theatre, Grafton | 8 March
TAS Hoskins Centre, Armidale | 19 March
Tenterfield Cinema & Theatre | 28 March
Glen Innes Town Hall | 30 May
Bowraville Theatre | 31 May

Learn more

Flat Pack

Danielle Brame Whiting

Touring April 2026

A one woman show infused with comedy, fantasy and nostalgia, exploring the relationship between the eldest daughter, her aging father, and her family, through the lens of memories. It considers the grief of taking on the role of carer to your parents and the weight of being the person who takes on all the decision-making tasks. Sifting through the many boxes strewn around the garage, the play tries to unpack and understand childhood memories through the eyes of a middle aged woman, and make sense of what it is to be the daughter of a Vietnam Veteran.

James Theatre, Dungog | 21 April
Merriwa School of Arts | 23 April
Old Court Theatre, Scone | 24 April

Learn more

2024 Recipients

Marty Bright, Blue Mountains Comedy
'Laughs Out West'
Locations: Lithgow Workies Club, Malachi-Gilmore Hall, Carcoar Royal Hotel
A touring showcase of diverse comedians from around Australia, hosted by Marty Bright. Including performances and pre-show engagement to increase and encourage community connections that can only come through gathering in laughter.

Lillian Rodrigues-Pang, The Story Line
'The Church of the Clitori'
Locations: Bellingen, Brunswick Heads, Gosford
A bold, experimental parody on a church service with a feminist lens. Drawing on the positive beauty of storytelling, singing together, and praise, and addressing patriarchy, power, appropriation, genital love and female value, with a focus on the underrepresentation of the clitoris.

Alyce Fisher, Theatre On Toast
‘Tinderella & the eight unique uses of Tinder’
Locations: Merimbula, Bermagui, Moruya
A comedy cabaret created and performed by Alyce Fisher exploring real life Tinder tales and app dating culture, which aims to empower audiences to take control of their own app dating experience.

Lorina Barker, Taragara Aboriginal Corporation
'Trucked Off'
Locations: Inverell/Tingha
An immersive theatre performance in collaboration with Dr Lorina Barker, theatre practitioner Julie Collins, and the Wangkumarra Elders, telling the story of the removal of Lorina’s family from Tibooburra to Brewarinna, 500kms away, with Wangkumarra Elders and family members participating as actors.

Gai Bryant, Spare Parts Productions
'Caribé/Ally Regional Tour'
Locations: Cootamundra, Oberon, Coonabarabran, Kempsey
A five-piece touring group comprising of musicians from two Latin music ensembles, Caribé and ALLY. Featuring storytelling, dance and music inspired by Afro-Cuban, Afro-Peruvian, Brazilian and Andalusian cultures.