Griffin Theatre Company

What Griffin Theatre Company does

Griffin Theatre Company is a non-profit performing arts organization founded in 1979 and headquartered in Kings Cross, Sydney, Australia. It operates as the only theatre company in the country wholly dedicated to developing and staging new Australian plays, with a documented 40+ year track record of launching works that achieve national and international success (e.g., Suzie Miller's Prima Facie). The company produces a main season of new Australian plays, an annual Griffin Award playwriting competition ($17,700 commission plus dramaturgical support), and operates artist development programs including Griffin Studio and Griffin Ambassadors (high school outreach since 2004).

Griffin is currently operating from partner venues — Belvoir St Theatre and Carriageworks — while its historic home, the 100-seat SBW Stables Theatre, undergoes major redevelopment funded in part by a transformational gift from the Neilson Foundation. The core technology is live theatre production and performance; there is no proprietary software, API, or digital platform. Pricing is tiered across Rush Tickets ($25, every Tuesday since 2009), standard single tickets ($49–$79), subscription packages (three to five plays with 10–20% savings), and concession/Under 35 categories. Distribution is domestic-only via online booking, phone Box Office, and venue partners.

Revenue is not publicly disclosed and is generated from a mix of ticket sales, individual donations, foundation and trust grants (SBW Foundation, Neilson Foundation, Girgensohn Foundation, Robertson Foundation), corporate sponsorships and partnerships (Four Pillars, Beppi's, Bourke St Bakery, Hotel Indigo, Currency Press), and federal/state government arts funding (Creative Australia, NSW Government/Create NSW). Customer segments include theatre-going audiences (primary), Australian playwrights (developmental), community partners (via Griffin Amplify), and corporate entertainment clients.

Name

Griffin Theatre Company

Legal name

Griffin Theatre Company

Website

https://griffintheatre.com.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

1980

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Griffin Theatre Company is a Sydney-based non-profit founded in 1979, dedicated exclusively to developing and staging new Australian plays, running the annual Griffin Award, and delivering artist development and education programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Live Theatre / Performing Arts

NAICS

Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters (71111), Performing Arts Companies (7111)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Regional & Repertory Theatre Companies (MPAGABAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Touring Theatre Productions (MPAGABAC)

Keywords

• New writing theatre
• Australian plays
• Theatre production services
• Artist development programs
• Playwriting awards

Headquarters

HQ city

Kings Cross

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Ticket Sales: Primary revenue from ticket sales for theatre productions, including individual tickets, subscription packages, and rush tickets at $25 for budget-conscious theatregoers
2. Donations and Fundraising: Significant donor support from individuals, foundations, and corporate partners who support new Australian theatre development
3. Gift Certificates: Gift certificates valid for three years from date of purchase, generating upfront cash flow

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Griffin Theatre Company produces and stages new Australian plays through a main season of professional theatre productions and runs an integrated suite of artist development, playwriting, education and community engagement programs. Tickets and subscriptions are sold directly to audiences (single tickets, subscription packages, and a $25 Rush ticket program) while Griffin Award commissions and Griffin Studio placements nurture emerging playwrights and directors across Australia.

Product overview

Griffin Theatre Company is Australia's leading new writing theatre, operating as a single unified theatre company that produces and develops new Australian plays. The company operates its main season productions at partner venues (Belvoir St Theatre, Carriageworks) during SBW Stables Theatre redevelopment, while offering artist development programs including Griffin Studio, Griffin Award (annual playwriting prize), and Griffin Ambassadors (youth education). Revenue streams include ticket sales via subscription packages and Rush Tickets ($25 affordable program), corporate entertainment packages, and donations. The company also presents special festival productions like The Lewis Trilogy.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Main Season Productions Professional theatre productions of new Australian plays staged at partner venues (Belvoir St Theatre and Carriageworks), aimed at Sydney audiences seeking bold, locally relevant live theatre.
• Griffin Award Annual playwriting prize recognising an outstanding idea for a play displaying authentic, inventive and contemporary Australian voice; the winner receives a full commission of $17,700 plus dramaturgical support, intended for emerging and established Australian playwrights.
• Rush Tickets Affordable $25 ticket program releasing an allocation of seats every Tuesday at 12pm for that evening's performance, purchasable online or by phone, aimed at budget-conscious theatregoers and marketed as the most affordable mainstage ticket prices in Sydney.
• Subscription Packages Multi-play subscription bundles offering 10–20% savings on combinations of three, four or five season productions, intended for committed theatregoers seeking VIP access to new Australian theatre across a season.
• Griffin Amplify Audience development program engaging community leaders to broker connections between culturally specific new Australian work and represented communities, in partnership with Griffin's producing and marketing team.
• Griffin Studio Flagship artist development program providing career pathways for emerging Australian directors, writers, and dramaturgs, funded by the Malcolm Robertson Foundation.
• Griffin Ambassadors School student education program providing workshops and performances to around 100 high school students annually (Years 10-12), covering playwriting, directing, acting and technical production, supported by the Robertson Foundation.
• Corporate Entertainment Bespoke corporate hospitality packages providing exclusive access opportunities including private performances, Q&A sessions with actors and creatives, and dedicated event management at partner venues, targeted at enterprise clients for client entertainment.
• Play Submissions Open submission program held twice yearly through an online portal where Australian writers can submit full drafts for consideration, with feedback returned within three months.
• The Lewis Trilogy Festival staging of three interconnected plays by Louis Nowra — Summer of the Aliens, Così, and This Much is True — directed by Declan Greene with an ensemble of eight actors including Paul Capsis, offered as full-day weekend experiences or individual play bookings.
• lacuna Main season 2026 production by Eric Jiang running 30 July – 15 August 2026, presented in partnership with Essential Workers at Belvoir St Theatre.
• Mum Club Main season 2026 production by Jorjia Gillis about new motherhood and community, developed through the Griffin Studio program, running 22 August – 20 September 2026.
• Afterglow Main season 2026 production by Sheanna Parker Russon & Lillian M. Hearne running 9 – 25 July 2026 at Belvoir St Theatre Downstairs Theatre, presented in partnership with Purple Tape Productions.
• SAVIOR 2025/2026 production by Happy Feraren presented in partnership as a production partner presentation for the 2025/2026 season.

Quantifiable outcome

• Prima Facie was seen by 1.2 million people, translated into over 30 languages and performed in over 50 countries
• +1 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered venue partner, presenting partner, production partner and company partner.

• Belvoir St Theatrevenue partnerChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGriffin's primary venue partner during SBW Stables Theatre redevelopment. 2026 Season hosted at Belvoir St Theatre's Upstairs and Downstairs Theatres with lift access and Hearing Assistance Service.
• Carriageworksvenue partnerChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorVenue partner for 2026 Season productions.
• Seymour Centrepresenting partnerChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPresenting partner for Griffin productions during redevelopment period.
• Sydney Theatre Companypresenting partnerChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPresenting partner providing venue access for Griffin productions.
• The Old Fitzpresenting partnerChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPresenting partner for Griffin productions.
• University of Melbourne Arts and Culturepresenting partnerChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPresenting partner for Griffin productions.
• La Boitepresenting partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerPresenting partner for Griffin productions.
• Purple Tape Productionsproduction partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerProduction partner for Afterglow by Sheanna Parker Russon & Lillian M. Hearne at Belvoir Downstairs Theatre.
• Essential Workersproduction partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerProduction partner for Lacuna by Eric Jiang.
• NIDAcompany partnerOthersCompany partner, National Institute of Dramatic Art.
• The University of Sydneycompany partnerOthersCompany partner, university with theatre programs.
• Four Pillarscompany partnerOthersCompany partner, artisan gin distillery.
• Beppi'scompany partnerOthersCompany partner, Italian restaurant.
• Bourke St Bakerycompany partnerOthersCompany partner, artisan bakery.
• Currency Presscompany partnerOthersCompany partner, performing arts publisher.
• Hotel Indigo Sydney Potts Pointcompany partnerOthersCompany partner, boutique hotel.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Queensland Theatre: State-funded Queensland theatre company with a producing season and education programs. Comparable as an Australian non-profit producing theatre with government funding and audience development programming, though serving a different geographic market.
• Melbourne Theatre Company: Australia's largest theatre company. Comparable as a major Australian producing theatre with subscription seasons, government and corporate funding, and artist development programs, though MTC operates at significantly greater scale and presents a broader repertoire mix.
• State Theatre Company of South Australia: South Australian state theatre company producing a season of Australian and international work. Comparable as a state-funded producing theatre with subscription ticketing, education programs and donor support, operating in a different geography.

Direct peers

• Malthouse Theatre: Melbourne-based producing theatre known for new and experimental Australian work. Comparable in artistic positioning (focus on contemporary Australian playwrights), subscription ticketing model, and donor-funded non-profit structure, though geographically distinct.
• La Boite Theatre Company: Brisbane-based theatre company listed as a presenting partner for Griffin productions. Comparable as a mid-sized Australian producing theatre focused on new Australian work, with subscription ticketing and a similar scale of operation.
• Belvoir St Theatre: Primary venue partner hosting Griffin's 2026 Season. Comparable as an inner-Sydney producing/presenting theatre with subscription seasons, donor support and a mix of new Australian work and international programming; Belvoir is also a direct tenant relationship for Griffin.
• Sydney Theatre Company: Sydney's flagship theatre company and a presenting partner for Griffin productions. Comparable as a Sydney-based, season-driven producing organisation with subscription ticketing and government/foundation funding, though STC programs a broader repertoire beyond new Australian writing.
• Red Stitch Actors Theatre: Melbourne-based ensemble theatre producing new Australian and international work. Comparable as a small-scale, artist-led producing theatre with subscription models, donor support, and a focus on developing new work—though serving a different city.

Regional players

• Stooged Theatre / The Old Fitz: Sydney pub-theatre venue listed as a Griffin presenting partner. Comparable as a small-scale Sydney venue hosting new Australian and independent productions with similar capacity (~100-seat) economics to the historic SBW Stables Theatre.
• Seymour Centre: Sydney presenting venue listed as a Griffin presenting partner. Comparable as a venue partner enabling touring/new-work seasons, with comparable ticketing and venue-hire economics; operates as a venue operator rather than a producer.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/griffintheatre
• Facebookfacebook.com/GriffinTheatreCompany
• Instagraminstagram.com/griffintheatre
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/griffintheatrecompany

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Griffin Theatre Company