Steph Speirs is an accomplished creative producer, performance maker & composer who has worked over the past decade with artists and festivals across Australia and the UK. She holds a Bachelor of Performing Arts from Monash University and a Master of Arts & Cultural Management from University of Melbourne.
Steph is passionate about advocating for the value of arts workers to society, and her master's thesis investigated the working conditions and experiences of short-term arts festival workers. Since 2022 she has worked with Theatre Network Australia as Program Director, where she is dedicated to facilitating opportunities for Australian circus professionals and cultivating a thriving performing arts sector.
indie theatre & festivals
Steph got her start in independent theatre, where she co-founded Melbourne company Attic Erratic and wore many hats, including writer, director, performer, stage manager, production manager and producer. In their first three years the collective built four pop-up venues, created twelve shows and garnered three Green Room nominations and critical acclaim.
Following this, Steph moved into festival management and worked at festivals such as Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Melbourne International Jazz Festival, Adelaide Fringe, Melbourne Fashion Festival and Melbourne Writers Festival, and spent three years as Operations Manager for the Melbourne Fringe Festival Hub.
producing
As a creative producer, Steph has worked independently and in-house, with companies like Token Events and Circus Oz, and with artists such as Frank Woodley (comedy), Claire Cross (jazz) and Harley Mann (circus). The show she produced with Fringe Wives Club won Best Cabaret at Adelaide Fringe and Best Newcomer at MICF and was nominated for multiple awards including the Green Room for Best Cabaret.
creative practice
Steph is a skilled media composer who has composed for screen, stage & media, and contributed vocals & keys onstage and in the studio. As a theatre-maker Steph has worked in experimental and live art spaces, creating immersive experiential work with Remedium Collective, Luna Mrozik Gawler and L&NDLESS Collective.
mentoring
Steph is passionate about building bridges to industry for students and emerging artists. She has produced youth arts programs for Drama Victoria and Melbourne International Jazz Festival; facilitated workshops & masterclasses for young people and early career artists; provides individual mentorship and career guidance to tertiary students; and has also appeared as a guest on the Ask Alumni podcast to talk about freelance careers in the arts.