Belvoir St Theatre is now accepting entries for the 2027 Balnaves Foundation Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Fellowship Program.

The Balnaves Fellowship is a paid residency that provides the opportunity to work at Belvoir as a resident artist to create a work for the stage.

2027 marks the Fellowship's 15th anniversary, having originated in 2011 as The Balnaves Foundation Indigenous Playwright Award.

For 2027, Belvoir is seeking applicants nationwide, offering greater flexibility around on-site engagement. The Fellowship will see the winner given the opportunity to work at Belvoir over a two-year period from January 2027 to December 2028 as a resident artist and receive funding to create their new work.

The Fellowship is open to both playwrights to write a new play and to directors or writer/directors that can lead the creation of a First Nations led new stage work, whether that be a new play, an adaptation or through a devised process. It also includes an invitation to have a voice in Belvoir's artistic decision-making processes.

From its origins as The Balnaves Foundation Indigenous Playwright Award, prestigious The Balnaves Foundation Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Fellowship is recognised as one of the most awards in Australia, attracting entrants of the highest calibre.

Previous recipients include Leah Purcell, whose hit work The Drover's Wife has evolved from a play, to a novel, to a film, and most recently an opera; Nakkiah Lui, best known for TV series Black Comedy and her play Black is the New White; Heartbreak High actor and writer Thomas Weatherall; Hannah Belanszky, shortlisted for the Nick Enright Prize for Playwriting for her debut work don't ask what the bird look like; and most recently Bianca Hunt, whose talk show Up Late with Bianca Hunt will take over Belvoir and run as part of Sydney Festival across three nights in January 2027.

The exceptional works delivered by Balnaves Fellows affirm the depth of talent amongst our nation's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander theatre-makers, whilst consistently bringing extraordinary works to the Belvoir stage.

"The Balnaves Fellowship has been imperative in my journey of sinking my teeth into the world of theatre," Ms Hunt said.

"As someone who has watched for many years but didn't know I could be part of this space, I've found the experience useful and further developed my love for the arts and creating.

"I've been working on a rom-com during my time and watching every type of show I can to figure out what that script will look like... And I'm also looking forward to performing my first show in January with Sydney Festival and Belvoir, Up Late with Bianca Hunt, where a whole team of Blak Women creatives are leading the way. If you think this Fellowship is for you, go for it and if you don't know if you're the right fit, go for it too!! You never know what's on the other side."

The Balnaves Foundation CEO Hamish Balnaves, said the business is immensely proud of the extraordinary artists who have come through The Balnaves Foundation Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Fellowship.

"We are immensely proud of the extraordinary artists who have come through The Balnaves Foundation Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Fellowship and the impact they have made across Australian theatre, television, film, opera and beyond over the last 15 years. Their work reflects the breadth of First Nations artistry, and the growing appetite from audiences to see these stories on our stages and screens. We are delighted to continue our partnership with Belvoir and support the next Balnaves Fellow as they take the next step in their creative journey."

Applications are now open, with submissions closing at 6pm on Monday 9 November 2026.

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