rawcus

https://linktr.ee/rawcus

"the pleasure is in the spontaneous expression, diverse physical virtuosity, unpredictable leaps and turns and alternative communication skills"
Realtime

"A moving assertion of humanity …with a wicked sense of humour"
The Age

04/06/2026

Rawcus is more than a theatre company.

As a leader in the field of inclusive art making, sharing our ongoing learnings is a core tenet of the company. Every year we connect with our industry peers through exchanges, mentorships, free public workshops and arts events. Through each engagement we share our knowledge with our peers and community, knowing that it contributes to a more inclusive and equitable industry for all.

A donation to Rawcus helps us create accessible rehearsal rooms, employ artists with disability, nurture emerging practitioners, and share our knowledge and expertise with the industry.

Every donation big or small, makes a difference to us.

Please donate at www.givenow.com.au/rawcus

Photo by Darren Gill.

ID- Many people sit in a circle, looking toward a white board. Morgan, wearing blue pants and a striped shirt writes on the whiteboard, while Louise sits to her left in a red chair. On the other side of the white board is an interpreter dressed in black. The room has white walls and a black floor.

28/05/2026

For 26 years, Rawcus has created bold, joyful and deeply human performances with artists with and without disability. We work that challenges expectations, builds connection and celebrates difference.

This year, we’re asking our community to help us keep that work going. Your support helps us:
• pay artists fairly
• create accessible and inclusive rehearsal spaces
• develop bold new performances
• provide opportunities for performers who are often excluded from the arts

As one audience member shared:
“As someone with a disability it showed me that being disabled doesn't hold you back from creating great works of art.”

If Rawcus has ever made you laugh, think, feel seen, or see the world differently, we’d love your support. Every donation, big or small, helps us continue creating bold inclusive theatre together.

Donations can be made at www.givenow.com.au/rawcus

25/05/2026

Fanaticus is back!

Rawcus is working with the young people and coaches Altona All Abilities Basketball Program to create FANATICUS - a wild and playful collision of performance and basketball.

Part game, part performance, FANATICUS! celebrates talent, teamwork, spectacle and self-expression through movement and moments of basketball mayhem and magic.

Fanaticus hits the court on Sunday June 21st 3pm at Altona Sports Centre.

This project is supported by Hobsons Bay City Council through its Make it Happen Grants program, the Honig Foundation and Altona Sports Centre.

ID - Two young people and Jorlene from Rawcus huddle together wearing basketball jerseys and holding up basketballs against a blue back ground. Behind them is the word' FANATICUS' in bright red text.

21/05/2026

Every Step is a short physical work set within the bold geometry of the Victorian Pride Centre's grand staircase. This is a performance about how identity is choreographed: A colour we gravitate toward. A song we return to. A favourite t-shirt worn thin. These everyday choices, intimate and untamed, shape how we move through the world and how the world reads us in return. This new work is created, choreographed, and performed by Rawcus Ensemble Artist Ryan New, in collaboration with Swann Biguet and Nilgün Güven. July 24th and 25th. Tickets are free and can be booked via https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/every-step-by-rawcus-tickets-1988608418311

Image Description: A photo with graphic design. Swann twists their body dynamically in the foreground, arms up like a superhero ready to fight. Red wine coloured wavy lines fill the space around them. A large red rectangle hovers above their head. The whole image is speckled and textured like a paint block print.

Director and Creator: Ryan New
Performers and Co-creators: Ryan New, Nilgün Güven, Swann Biguet
Producers and Dramaturgs: Morgan Rose, Katrina Cornwell
Sound Design: Samuel Kreusler
Image by: Jack Zapsalis

Every Step is made possible through support from the City of Port Phillip Key Arts Organisation Program, South Melbourne Community Chest, and the City of Port Phillip Cultural Development Fund.

19/05/2026

You may have seen recent media coverage about the outcomes of Creative Victoria’s Creative Enterprises four-year organisational funding round. Rawcus, like a number of our fellow small arts organisations, has been offered two-year operational funding, which will conclude at the end of December 2027.

While we had hoped for four years of operational support our Board and staff are actively exploring new funding opportunities and continue our ongoing work to diversify Rawcus income streams. What remains unchanged is our commitment to supporting our extraordinary Ensemble, creating and presenting exceptional, accessible and inclusive work, engaging and collaborating with independent artists, and offering meaningful and equitable arts experiences for our diverse audiences.

We’re excited about our 2026 program which is full of bold and wonderful projects, and we look forward to sharing these with you throughout the year. As we celebrate our 26th year, the Ensemble is excited and eager to develop and present a major new work for 2027.

Rawcus has never relied solely on one income stream and the generosity of our community through donations has always played a key role. We are so grateful to you. Right now, your support matters more than ever. As the end of the financial year approaches, we warmly invite you to consider making a tax-deductible donation.

You can donate online at www.givenow.com.au/rawcus

And, if you’re able, we’d also be grateful if you could share our story and work with friends, family, or colleagues who may wish to support Rawcus.

Thank you for being part of our community and for helping us continue our unique and important work.

xRawcus

Photo by Darren Gill
Image Description Paul wearing a midnight blue top and denim jeans with buckled belt and has his arms outstretched

24/04/2026

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 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. ❤️

08/04/2026

Last week .darren Darren and Isabel from international theatre company 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 South Melbourne Community Centre City Of Port Phillip. 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 .

28/03/2026

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 .gill for capturing the day in photos and thanks to the Palais Theatre Community Fund & the City Of Port Phillipfor 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.

27/03/2026

Happy World Theatre Day from Rawcus! Enjoy these photos by the brilliant from a creative exchange with our good friends at 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.

17/03/2026

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 ci******es (or maybe something other than ci******es???). 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.

Address

Melbourne, VIC
3182

Telephone

+61421103877

Website

http://www.rawcus.org.au/

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