In the Making - Performance

In the Making is a new Arts Merri-bek program designed for artists to share works in progress with peers and mentors in a supportive environment. 

We are offering a stream for artists who work in performance to share their work with a live and generous audience.   

Hosted at Next Wave, we are looking for artists who have a scrap of an idea, a bite-size work-in-progress, that they want to share with the kind eyes and smart brains of the Merri-bek community.  

Working with facilitator and theatre-maker Liv Satchell, you will receive tailored feedback on your project and the chance to connect with fellow programmed artists. With emphasis on the informal (think low tech, high vibes), the focus of presenting through In the Making is to develop your idea with a local audience. 

Part scratch night, part afternoon tea, In the Making is a supportive, rigorous and celebratory space for artists to connect, take risks, and develop new work. 

• When will the program take place?

  There are two sessions offered. Artists can apply for one session each:

  • Saturday 13 June, 11am-4pm at Next Wave

  • Saturday 27 June, 11am-4pm at Next Wave

   

• How can I be an In the Making artist?

  • To be eligible applicants need to live, work or study in Merri-bek.

  • Your ‘scratch’ should be a 5–15-minute excerpt of a new idea and/or project that would benefit from public feedback.   
  • It needs to fit into the medium of live performance but can fall into any category within this: a song or piece of music, a spoken word poem, a scene from a performance text or play, movement and/or dance, or some sort of fabulous multi-disciplinary hybrid.   

  • You need to attend a digital one-on-one with Liv Satchell (a 20-minute slot to be negotiated together). It is during this session that you will discuss your idea and what kind of feedback you are looking for from a public showing.  

  • You must be available for the entire 11am-4pm period of your elected workshop session, as this will include both preparation in the space beforehand as well as the public presentation itself.

  • It is preferred that you are available to attend the other event as an audience member so you can connect with fellow presenting artists.

     
• How can I apply?

  If you can meet these criteria and are interested in sharing your work, please fill out the Expression Of Interest form via the link below

  If you have any questions or would like assistance with the EOI process, please email arts@merri-bek.vic.gov.au.  

Spaces will be limited to 5 participants for each session and allocated through an Expression of Interest process. To register your interest, please submit an Expression of Interest via the button below.

EOIs close at 11.59pm on Friday 24 April 2026. 

Apply here 

How can I be an audience member?

Contact

Merri-bek City Council
Arts Development Officer
Phone: 03 9240 2486
Email: arts@merri-bek.vic.gov.au