Rawcus

Rawcus is in the thick of rehearsals for a new project with ensemble member Ryan New as lead artist. 'Every Step' premieres this July at @vicpridecentre At the moment we are exploring jazz and pizzazz vibes in rehearsals. Stay tuned for more info! 👐🎷🕺💃🎉 Photos by Jack Zapsalis Image description: 1 - Ryan, Swann, and Nilgun move in unison in the rehearsal room. They are in a diagonal line and bow at the waist with one hand out as if offering something. 2 - The trio are mid dance: Nilgun at the front bends on one knee, Swann lunges and twists, Ryan is at the back with arms wide open, while shadows paint the wall behind him. 3 - Swann fills the frame, one leg up, arms up, angular, as if taking an exaggerated geometric step forward. Ryan and Nilgun are in the background with arms in the air mid dance. ❤️This project is supported by South Melbourne Community Chest, City of Port Phillip, and the COPP Cultural Development Fund. ❤️

Last week @o.darren Darren and Isabel from international theatre company @mammaliandivingreflex ran a workshop with Rawcus. Mammalian's work is grounded in the idea that everyone is interesting (when asked the right question) and everyone is kinder than you might think! We had a blast engaging in site and social specific explorations! ID- The Rawcus Ensemble, Darren and Isobel sit and stand on the front steps of the South Melbourne Community Centre @cityofportphillip It's a sunny day so many people squint and wear caps and hats. Lou makes the peace sign to the camera while Darren waves .

This time last week we were on the floor at @temperance.hall with a bunch of wonderful folks as part of our FORGE Workshop. FORGE is a free opportunity for people to get a peek into the Rawcus process. We share exercises from our rehearsal room, and let you in on the show we are currently working on. We had an amazing time last Saturday creating with an extraordinary group of people. Thanks to @darren.gill for capturing the day in photos and thanks to the Palais Theatre Community Fund & the City of Port Phillip for making this workshop possible! Image Descriptions 1 - A group of people move together. Many hold an arm out in front of them in a groovy sort of way. There is a mixture of joy and serious expressions. 2 - A group of people sit in a circle in a rehearsal space. They have their arms raised above their heads in a stretch. 3 - Jalen is mid fall to the floor. One arm clasps at his chest, while his head is slung back. 4 - Brinley faces the audience, arms out in fists, a tough position. Roos and Jalen creep in unison behind him, as if they don't want to disturb the beast. 5 - Two people reach desperately towards the sky. Swann supports their arms, assisting their journey. 6 - Swann, Jorlene, and Shelley have a discussion with animated expressions. An Auslan interpreter sits nearby. 7 - A group of people stand in a clump facing the audience. Anna holds a microphone and several people are smiling or laughing.

Happy World Theatre Day from Rawcus! Enjoy these photos by the brilliant @piajohnsonphotography from a creative exchange with our good friends at @wstrnedge a few years ago. ❤️💃🎭 Image Description: 1 - Seven people crowd into the frame in a variety of physical positions. Amongst the chaos of bodies, Paul is centre, looking straight at the camera. Leigh leans across Paul's back resting their head on his shoulder. 2 - An orange photo backdrop sits in the centre of a wood panelled room. Blurred figures leap across the room. Josh sits calmly on a stool amongst the movement. Leigh stands on a stool, hand in pocket, casually gazing at the camera.

Rawcus share more about the massive year they've had with us as one of our resident companies. The award-winning and critically acclaimed ensemble of artists with diverse minds, bodies, and imaginations recognised artists' need for access to space. We'd love for you to join us as a fellow resident: EOIs close tonight at midnight—link in bio. -- EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST/ THE SUBSTATION RESIDENT PROGRAM 2026/ Studios 2 and 3 Now Available Join our artistic community by making a home for your creative practice at The Substation in Newport. We are seeking expressions of interest from artists and companies working across disciplines for two private studio space that are available for a two-year term. We’re looking to connect with artists, collectives and companies working across forms — including visual art, sound, performance, dance and beyond — whose practices align with our multi-artform vision. Our studio residents are part of a wider community of artists who are imagining alternative futures, interrogating inherited narratives, and connecting across disciplines and cultures. Link in bio for more information. Applications close Midnight Sunday 22 March Photo credit Filming day at The Substation for En Masse, by Darren Gill

Sam and Kate won Outstanding Sound Design for One Night Only last night at the Greenroom Awards. We are so proud of them! We are also proud of everyone who made theatre in 2025, cause it's hard to do, and we are grateful there is so much art happening in this city against all odds. 💘 Image Descriptions. 1 - A selfie from the award ceremony foyer in which Sam, his Greenroom Award, Rach, Paul, Morgan, Kat, and Josh are all crowded into the frame. 2 - A photo from the show One Night Only in which one of the community participants gazes into the distance, with lighting that looks like stars behind her. At the bottom of the image is a green banner with text that reads ' Samuel Kreusler & Kate Neal Outstanding Sound Design'. 3 - Kat, Paul, Josh, Morgan, and Sam all pose outside the awards venue. They lean against a wall and mime smoking cigarettes (or maybe something other than cigarettes???). This is a reference to a scene Paul and Josh performed in One Night Only. 4 - An image of Sam at a podium accepting his award.

Happy International Women's Day ❤️ 📸 by @darren.gill

Rawcus is thrilled that last year's production of One Night Only has been nominated for Outstanding Sound Design. Big congrats to Sam and Kate! 💜 Image Description: Text on an orange background that reads The Nominees for Independent Theatre Sam Kreusler and Kate Neal for outstanding sound design, One Night Only.

Expressions of Interest are now open for FORGE: a free inclusive physical theatre workshop led by Rawcus. Get a peek into our process! Where: Temperance Hall, 199 Napier St South Melbourne When: Saturday March 21st Time: 10am - 3pm Cost: Free, via EOI process More info via ink in bio. FORGE is funded by the Palais Theatre Community Fund and the City of Port Phillip. Rawcus receives organisational support from Creative Victoria. Image Description: A figure in black and white leaps across the image---so quick they are little blurry! They are wearing a white t-shirt and Adidas pants. The background is bright orange and bold text reads 'Forge. A free inclusive workshop. W/ Rawcus.'

Thank you to our community, our audience, our funders and donors for supporting Rawcus in 2025 to make bold and audacious art that celebrates the diversity and beauty of life. It was an incredible year for the company and we couldn't do it without you all. Also a big shout out to all of our amazing collaborators (@tremblinglimbs3 Michael, @ameliaa.jeann Amelia, @alkfaen Xani, @melbfringe Melbourne Fringe, @beau.livori Beau, @rachelleerqxx Rachel, @ruby_rawlings Ruby and @aron.murray Aron, @jacksonjuliani Jackson, @darebinarts_live Darebin Speakeasy and all of the One Night Only protagonists) for bringing your artistry, ideas and passion. We can't wait for 2026! ID- 1. Ryan has his face painted in bright, bold vertical strips by Jorlene. 2. Paul knees on the ground with a microphone held to his mouth as if singing. Rachel, Charli and Josh stand behind him in a line smiling. 3. The Rawcus Ensemble stand in front of a wall with bright neon lights with arms outstretched and mouths open. 3. Clem, Mike, Nilgun and Lou stand on the right of frame bathed in blue light. Their fingers are held up in the air as if tracing something. On the right of the frame is a large screen showing the image of Sarah's face with the text "I'm also not scared of forgetting" displayed. 4. A series of portraits on a white wall. Each portrait has a green background and displays one Rawcus Ensemble. 5. A long brick wall at night with the projected image of Heath and Josh facing each other. Josh's hand is on Heath's heart. 6. Lou, dressed in red, points to a tattoo on her arm. Behind her stands, Nisha with a microphone. She looks at the tattoo smiling and describing the tattoo. 7. A large, dark room. At the far end, centre of the frame, the Rawcus Ensemble is clumped together dancing, lit in warm light. In the bottom of the frame Kat and Michael sit behind a monitor that captures the scene. 8. Charli stands in a sea of pin prick fairy lights that look like stars. She smiles faintly. Rawcus receives organisation funding through the Victorian Government's @creative_vic Creative Enterprises Program, the @cityofportphillip an the #shulufoundation.

After 23 years, long term Ensemble artist Kerryn Poke is retiring. Kez first performed with Rawcus in 2004's Side Show, bringing with her charisma, spunk, tenderness and a hip shaking prowess like no other. She is a consummate performer who knows how to capture and hold the attention of the audience. She performed in the following Rawcus works: Side Show, Box Set, Not Dead Yet, Collisions, Hunger, Heart of Another, Small Odysseys, Catalogue, Song for a Weary Throat, Glass, Here We Are Amongst You and Interior along with many more Public Program works such as Fanaticus and A Resourceful Hero. Kez has a left her mark on the company and on all of us. Please join us in celebrating Kez and wishing her every happiness in her retirement

This International Day of People with a Disability coincided with Rawcus' end of year celebration. There were speeches, presents, fish and chips feast, birthday celebrations and some special guests. The Rawcus Ensemble are on break now after a full and fun year. Thank you to everyone who has supported us as friends, carers, audience, donors, creatives and partners. We feel our community around us 💖 ID 1- A group of 23 people gather around a very long table. They are looking at the camera smiling, laughing and waving their arms. 2- Kez and Harriet extend their arms toward each other about to embrace as Michael has his hand on Kez's back and Kate peaks her around Kez. All are smiling. 3- Kat hold a chocolate cake. Her mouth is wide opening singing. Michael and Ryan look on at the cake. 4- Danni and Kez look at each other and smile . Their heads are close together.