Australian Theatre Festival NYC to Return for 7th Season With New Works and Musical Premieres
The festival will take place at Theatre Row and Green Room 42, featuring works by Tracey Yarad and Eddie Grey.
Co-Artistic & Executive Directors Mark Barford & Connor Delves have revealed the Australian Theatre Festival NYC Season 2026. The Festival Runs September 29 - October 4 in NYC, and October 8 in Washington D.C. The 7th annual celebration of Australian theatre, music, storytelling, and community events.
Presented across Theatre Row and Green Room 42 on 42nd Street, the Festival continues its mission of celebrating and showcasing Australian stories and artists in New York City. The Festival creates opportunities for an exchange of culture, cultivates the development of Australian artists and their work, and connects Australians living in New York.
The 2026 season features award-winning productions, new play development, musical theatre presentations, artist conversations, community events, and the continuation of the Festival's growing partnership with the Australian Embassy in Washington D.C, with a Tour to the capital on October 8th.
Opening Night: All These Pretty Things
The Festival opens at Theatre Row with Tracey Yarad's acclaimed solo musical memoir, All These Pretty Things. Fresh from winning the Best Music Award at the 2026 Adelaide Fringe, Yarad's funny, heartfelt, and deeply personal story has captivated audiences across Australia. Now based in New York, the Australian artist brings her celebrated work to Festival audiences for a limited season.
New Play Award Winner: CIRC
ATF NYC will present CIRC by Eddie Grey, winner of the Festival's 2024 New Play Award. This hilarious and moving new Australian play will receive a staged reading featuring locally based Australian actors, offering audiences an early opportunity to experience the work before its Off-Broadway transfer to The Tank later this year. CIRC is produced by Neil Gooding Productions.
Public Reading: La Malattia
Continuing the Festival's commitment to developing new Australian voices, the 2026 New Play Award-winning work, La Malattia by Danny Ball, will be presented in a public reading for the very first time, directed by Broadway's Emilio Ramos and featuring a cast of New York-based Australian performers.
Artist Talkback Series
The Festival's popular artist talkback series will return both in person and online, giving audiences unique insight into the creative process behind bringing Australian work to international stages and creating meaningful opportunities for connection between artists and audiences. The two panels will focus on "Australian Women Creatives" and "The Production Pipeline."
Musical Theatre Double Bill
Following a successful debut in 2025, ATF NYC's musical theatre double bill returns to The Green Room 42. Leading the program is LEGENDS, a brand-new Australian musical by New York-based writer Daniel Cullen, and produced by Track 29 Productions. Filled with larger-than-life Australian icons and folklore, the musical reimagines some of Australia's most legendary figures in a wildly entertaining theatrical experience.
ATF Cabaret
The much-loved ATF Cabaret also returns, bringing together Broadway performers, emerging Australian artists, and recent graduates for a one-night-only celebration of Australian music and musical theatre talent. This year the Cabaret will explore the "Ultimate Australian Playlist" with pop and rock anthems from down under.
Community Party
The Festival's popular Community Party, presented in partnership with America Josh, returns once again, providing a vibrant gathering place for artists, audiences, industry professionals, and members of the Australian community to connect and celebrate Australian culture in New York City.
Following the New York season, ATF NYC will continue its partnership with the Australian Embassy in Washington D.C., expanding the Festival's reach beyond New York and strengthening cultural exchange opportunities between Australia and the United States through a special event in the nation's capital.
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WHISTLE DOWN THE WIND | Stage & Film Summer Season at the Bardavon Bardavon 1869 Opera House (8/01-8/02) |
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THE DEATH CHRONICLES (portraits)|S&F Summer Season at Marist Marist University Symphonic Hall (8/01-8/01) |
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EN EL TIEMPO DE LAS MARIPOSAS Repertorio (1/07-12/31) |
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Hadid 59E59 Theatres (7/10-7/21) |
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LAGNIAPPE | Stage & Film Summer Season at Marist University Marist University Symphonic Hall (7/11-7/11) |
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TRIP AROUND THE SUN | Stage & Film Summer Season at Marist University Marist University Symphonic Hall (7/26-7/26) |
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LA GRINGA Repertorio (2/08-12/31) |
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Butoh: Into the Depth New York Butoh Institute/Vangeline (7/08-7/31) |
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WHISTLE DOWN THE WIND | Stage & Film Summer Season at Bardavon Bardavon 1869 Opera House (7/31-7/31) |
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PAPER MENAGERIE | Stage & Film Summer Season at the Bardavon Bardavon 1869 Opera House (7/19-7/19) |