Since its inception in 2007, Critical Stages has grown to become Australia's leading producer of touring theatre from the independent theatre sector. In the past four years it has toured eight productions by some of the country's leading independent theatre practitioners, including Craig Ilott, Michael Futcher, Kim Hardwick, Peter Houghton, Julian Louis, Drew Fairley and Kate Smith, to regional and remote audiences across the country.

Over 100 artists have been engaged on Critical Stages touring productions, with over half engaged as touring cast and crew, traveling to perform in over 90 towns from Darwin to Launceston, Karratha to Lightning Ridge to a total audience of over 50,000 attendees.

Critical Stages was born from the necessity to find further life for outstanding productions from the independent theatre sector. All shows are generated and funded by artists without the support of major company infrastructure.

Critical Stages is supported by the Theatre Board of the Australia Council and Arts NSW to produce, develop and manage tours of high quality independent theatre productions. We work with artists and venues to seek out the best possible touring productions from all around Australia.

In 2012, Critical Stages will continue to find the best avenues for the most outstanding independent theatre from across Australia into the regional and national touring networks. 

The 2012 program includes a huge 22 week national tour of the charming Syncopation by Allan Knee, a 14 week national tour of the highly acclaimed The Escapists production Boy Girl Wall and a 14 week tour of The Flood by Jackie Smith in association with Finucane and Smith.

What a year it will be!