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Alexia, Author at NORPA

Feb 25

Documentary series

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This five-part short documentary series follows the evolution of NORPA’s Dinner Party at the End of the World creative development program. Through the voices of its artists and collaborators, the series highlights NORPA’s signature approach to making new Australian theatre — one deeply grounded in Country, community, and collective storytelling.

Episode 1

Rise

Rise explores the role of the arts in times of crisis and recovery, revealing how creativity helps communities process trauma and find meaning.

Episode 2

Voice

Voice explores NORPA’s “homegrown stories” ethos; that our local stories illuminate universal themes.

Episode 3

Ground

Ground illuminates NORPA’s commitment to honouring First Nations stories and perspectives.

Episode 4

Play

Play steps inside NORPA’s devising process, revealing how theatre is built through experimentation, trust and collective discovery.

Episode 5

Shine

Shine reflects on Dinner Party at the End of the World as a beacon for community connection and renewal.

CREATIVE TEAM

Director and Producer: Poppy Walker
Cinematographer: Dominic Sullivan
Sound Recordist & Mix: Steve Nossiter
Lighting: Alex Torney
Additional Camera: Ryan Lee
Composer: Andy Walker, Blake Rhodes (Ground)
Editor: Dominic Sullivan
Technical support: Jake Dix and Dane Bodley
Supported by the NORPA team

WITH

Amber Alley
Geraldine Balcazar
Tanja Beer
Matt Blackman
Phil Blackman
Alice Boscheinen
Tallula Bourne
Sasha Bradbury
Daniele Constance
Katie Cooper-Wares
Fred Copperwaite
Tara Coughlan
Tora Crockford
Kirilly Dawn
Jesse De Graaf
Darius Devas
Jade Dewi Tyas Tunggal
Janessa Dufty
Tess Eckert
Heather Fairbairn
Naomi Feller
Milena Galli
On Gamolnet
Tom Goldschimdt
Anat Greenberg
Gabrielle Griffin
Paulina Heart
Bridie Hooper
Dave Houston
Marianna Joslin
Mitch King
Libby Lincoln
Julian Louis
Kimberley McIntyre
Cecilia Martin
Zachary Mifsud
Suzie Miller
Katia Molino
Emma Newman
Simone O’Brien
Noa Rotem
Joey Ruigrok Van Der Werven
Jeanti St Clair
Stuart Shugg
Sinead Skorka-Brennan
Shannon Smith
Kaz Therese
Alex Torney
Freya Toussaint
Jo Turner
Jonathan Wald
Paul Walker
Linda Whitefeather
Billie Wilson-Coffey
Neil Young

THANKS

Thank you to all artists, story sharers and workshop participants, Uncle Fox Laurie and the Yaegl Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation for their permission and support to film on country.

Commissioned and Produced by NORPA as part of the project Dinner Party at the End of the World. Interviews were held at The Joinery, NORPA’s new home.

NORPA acknowledges the Bundjalung and Yaegl peoples as the traditional custodians of the unceded lands and waters on which these films were created.

This project was made possible by the Australian Government Regional Arts Fund, which supports the arts in regional and remote Australia.

Feb 19

Suzie Miller talks Prima Facie

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We asked playwright Suzie Miller about the incredible global journey of Prima Facie, and why she’s excited Northern Rivers audiences now get to see her work.

Suzie Miller is an internationally acclaimed playwright, screenwriter and novelist with degrees in law and science, and is drawn to complex human stories. Her works have been produced globally and earned major awards. Suzie’s breakthrough play Prima Facie won Olivier and Tony awards and has been staged in London, Broadway and across the world. She is currently developing new theatre, film and TV projects across Australia, the UK and the US.

NORPA’S new original production of Prima Facie, directed by Heather Fairbairn, tours the Northern Rivers from 12 — 28 Feb 2026, playing in Byron, Tweed, Murwillumbah, Kyogle, Grafton and Lismore.

Jan 27

Essential Stories podcast

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This live recording from our sold-out Essential Stories panel event explores creativity, community, and collective identity.

Hosted by Professor David Heilpern (Southern Cross University), the conversation brings together acclaimed playwright Suzie Miller (Prima Facie), NORPA Artistic Director Julian Louis, storycatcher Jeanti St Clair, and First Nations theatre director and actor Fred Copperwaite.

Through reflection, live readings, and lively discussion, the panel explores the power of art and storytelling to connect us and shape how we live together.

Listen now via SoundCloud, Spotify, or Apple

Essential Stories was presented by NORPA and Southern Cross University.

SOUNDCLOUD

Dec 25

Rewilding the Stage podcast

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Enjoy this live panel conversation, recorded at the Lismore Showgrounds in September 2024, exploring female creativity in performance art and what it means to centre women’s voices in storytelling.

The event, titled Rewilding the Stage: Agency and Responsibility in Feminine Creativity, brought together leading Northern Rivers creatives, including Charlotte Haywood, Jade Dewi Tyas Tunggal, and Heather Fairbairn, and feminist historian Professor Mary Spongberg (Southern Cross University) to unpack how women’s roles, dreams and aspirations are expressed through theatre, movement, design, and the collaborative process.

From set and costume design to choreography, the panel reflected on the production of WILDSKIN — NORPA’s site‑specific performance inspired by the Australian bush — and broader questions of artistic agency, responsibility, and creative ecology. This podcast captures a rich, thought‑provoking conversation about art, community, and the power of female‑led creativity.

Listen now via SoundCloud, Spotify, or Apple

Rewilding the stage was presented by NORPA and Southern Cross University.