Protect the Future of Australian Musical Theatre
The issue
The following concerns an industry that employs thousands of Australians, has a huge impact on enriching our economy and tourism, and sells more tickets than the AFL. Australia’s musical theatre industry is facing growing uncertainty as productions are cancelled and tours are cut short. Join me in calling on Federal Arts Minister Tony Burke to take meaningful action to protect jobs, support touring productions, and protect the future of Australian musical theatre.
Recently, we’ve watched major productions including Dear Evan Hansen, Back to the Future, and very recently Beetlejuice and Waitress, cancel planned Australian seasons or close tours early. These decisions mean that performers, musicians, stage managers, technicians, wardrobe teams, orchestra members, and countless other theatre professionals have been suddenly losing months of expected work. They have also left audiences across Australia without the opportunity to experience world-class live theatre in their own cities.
For young people like me, preparing to enter this industry, it’s incredibly concerning. I’m 17 years old and I hope to study musical theatre next year. My generation is training for careers in an industry that is becoming increasingly difficult to sustain, and I, amongst many others my age are incredibly worried for our futures.
With the Brisbane 2032 olympics and Paralympics on the horizon, Australia should be investing in the future of its performing arts sector, especially with potential new overseas audiences, which is why I’ve created this petition.
Once signatures are collected, the petition will be delivered to the Federal Minister for the Arts, Tony Burke, who can hopefully make changes to assist this industry through the growing challenges facing Australian musical theatre and to help secure a more stable future for the industry. Whether you’re an artist, student, teacher, audience member, or simply someone who believes live theatre matters, your signature (that can be submitted in under two minutes!!) can help demonstrate that this issue deserves national attention.
Please sign, share, and help this reach every corner of the Australian theatre community!
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The issue
The following concerns an industry that employs thousands of Australians, has a huge impact on enriching our economy and tourism, and sells more tickets than the AFL. Australia’s musical theatre industry is facing growing uncertainty as productions are cancelled and tours are cut short. Join me in calling on Federal Arts Minister Tony Burke to take meaningful action to protect jobs, support touring productions, and protect the future of Australian musical theatre.
Recently, we’ve watched major productions including Dear Evan Hansen, Back to the Future, and very recently Beetlejuice and Waitress, cancel planned Australian seasons or close tours early. These decisions mean that performers, musicians, stage managers, technicians, wardrobe teams, orchestra members, and countless other theatre professionals have been suddenly losing months of expected work. They have also left audiences across Australia without the opportunity to experience world-class live theatre in their own cities.
For young people like me, preparing to enter this industry, it’s incredibly concerning. I’m 17 years old and I hope to study musical theatre next year. My generation is training for careers in an industry that is becoming increasingly difficult to sustain, and I, amongst many others my age are incredibly worried for our futures.
With the Brisbane 2032 olympics and Paralympics on the horizon, Australia should be investing in the future of its performing arts sector, especially with potential new overseas audiences, which is why I’ve created this petition.
Once signatures are collected, the petition will be delivered to the Federal Minister for the Arts, Tony Burke, who can hopefully make changes to assist this industry through the growing challenges facing Australian musical theatre and to help secure a more stable future for the industry. Whether you’re an artist, student, teacher, audience member, or simply someone who believes live theatre matters, your signature (that can be submitted in under two minutes!!) can help demonstrate that this issue deserves national attention.
Please sign, share, and help this reach every corner of the Australian theatre community!
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Petition created on 29 June 2026