Established in 1992 and based in Cairns, JUTE Theatre Company develops and produces new Australian works that engage audiences and reflect the lived experiences of regional communities. JUTE also tours and delivers accessible, high-quality theatre to remote areas, while building skills and creating opportunities for emerging artists in regional Queensland. Through partnerships with community, government, and industry, JUTE supports connected communities and contributes to the development of relevant cultural policy and practice.

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2025 PRODUCTIONS and PROGRAMS

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Every Brilliant Thing

Winner of Best Performance in a Leading Role and Best Independent Production Matilda Awards (2023). 

Written by Duncan Macmillan with Jonny Donahoe
Directed by Timothy Wynn
Produced by THAT Production Company
Presented in Cairns by JUTE Theatre Company

One of the funniest plays youll ever see about depression - and possibly one of the funniest plays youll ever see, full stop.” - THE GUARDIAN

About

If you had to make a list, where would you start?

#1 Ice cream
#2 Water fights
#5 Things with stripes
#25 Wearing a cape
#319 Laughing so hard you shoot milk out of your nose
#9998 Watching someone watch your favourite film

Every Brilliant Thing tells the story of a child who, in an effort to help their depressed mother, starts compiling a list of everything that makes life worth living. This play celebrates the small joys and moments of beauty that make life truly brilliant.

Duncan Macmillan’s poignant and uplifting interactive theatrical experience  about family, love, loss and hope is  directed by Timothy Wynn (Yielding, Kill Climate Deniers, Seawall) and stars Jason Klarwein (Once in Royal David’s City, Macbeth).

Production type: touring theatre production with audience participation
Recommended age: 15+
Content Advisory: Mental health themes, references to self harm and suicide, and grief

Length: 80 minutes, no interval 

To book your tickets: 
https://collections.humanitix.com/every-brilliant-thing

Every Brilliant Thing

Winner of Best Performance in a Leading Role and Best Independent Production Matilda Awards (2023).

Written by Duncan Macmillan with Jonny Donahoe
Directed by Timothy Wynn
Produced by THAT Production Company
Presented in Cairns by JUTE Theatre Company

"One of the funniest plays you'll ever see about depression - and possibly one of the funniest plays you'll ever see, full stop.” - THE GUARDIAN

About

If you had to make a list, where would you start?

#1 Ice cream
#2 Water fights
#5 Things with stripes
#25 Wearing a cape
#319 Laughing so hard you shoot milk out of your nose
#9998 Watching someone watch your favourite film

Every Brilliant Thing tells the story of a child who, in an effort to help their depressed mother, starts compiling a list of everything that makes life worth living. This play celebrates the small joys and moments of beauty that make life truly brilliant.

Duncan Macmillan’s poignant and uplifting interactive theatrical experience about family, love, loss and hope is directed by Timothy Wynn (Yielding, Kill Climate Deniers, Seawall) and stars Jason Klarwein (Once in Royal David’s City, Macbeth).

Production type: touring theatre production with audience participation
Recommended age: 15+
Content Advisory: Mental health themes, references to self harm and suicide, and grief

Length: 80 minutes, no interval

To book your tickets:
collections.humanitix.com/every-brilliant-thing
... See MoreSee Less

4 days ago
More photos by Mimi Tannaka from our JUTE Actors Studio x Overall Arts production, Cooked.Image attachmentImage attachment+Image attachment

More photos by Mimi Tannaka from our JUTE Actors Studio x Overall Arts production, Cooked. ... See MoreSee Less

2 months ago
Cooked, a new work by Kathryn Ash, and a co-production between Overall Arts and JUTE, premiered on Friday 28 November at Bulmba-ja, showcasing performers from our JUTE Actors Studio Pathways program and emerging designers. Tonight (29 November) is your final chance to see this talented next generation of theatre makers bring months of dedicated work to life under the direction of Amber Grossmann. 

For tickets: https://events.humanitix.com/host/5fbc8930f96bf0000be4d96a 
or purchase at the door.

Photo: Mimi Tannaka

Cooked, a new work by Kathryn Ash, and a co-production between Overall Arts and JUTE, premiered on Friday 28 November at Bulmba-ja, showcasing performers from our JUTE Actors Studio Pathways program and emerging designers. Tonight (29 November) is your final chance to see this talented next generation of theatre makers bring months of dedicated work to life under the direction of Amber Grossmann.

For tickets: events.humanitix.com/host/5fbc8930f96bf0000be4d96a
or purchase at the door.

Photo: Mimi Tannaka
... See MoreSee Less

2 months ago
Cooked, a new work by Kathryn Ash, and a co-production between Overall Arts and JUTE, premiered on Friday 28 November at Bulmba-ja, showcasing performers from our JUTE Actors Studio Pathways program and emerging designers Tonight (29 November) is your final chance to see this talented next generation of theatre makers bring months of dedicated work to life under the direction of Amber Grossmann.

Photos: Mimi TannakaImage attachmentImage attachment+Image attachment

Cooked, a new work by Kathryn Ash, and a co-production between Overall Arts and JUTE, premiered on Friday 28 November at Bulmba-ja, showcasing performers from our JUTE Actors Studio Pathways program and emerging designers Tonight (29 November) is your final chance to see this talented next generation of theatre makers bring months of dedicated work to life under the direction of Amber Grossmann.

Photos: Mimi Tannaka
... See MoreSee Less

2 months ago

Director and Co-Producer Amber Grossmann of Overall Arts about Cooked and why you and the young people you know should come and see it tonight or tomorrow night (28 and 29 November).

To book tickets: collections.humanitix.com/cooked
... See MoreSee Less

2 months ago
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MEDIA RELEASES, NEWS and STORIES

Winner of Matilda Awards for Best Performance in a Leading Role (Independent) and Best Independent Production (2023) "Every Brilliant Thing" is coming to Cairns!

Produced by THAT Production Company and presented in Cairns by JUTE Theatre Company, this is "one of the funniest plays you'll see about depression" (Guardian). It  tells the story of a child who, in an effort to help their depressed mother, starts compiling a list of everything that makes life worth living. This play celebrates the small joys and moments of beauty that make life truly brilliant.

Duncan Macmillan’s poignant and uplifting interactive theatrical experience about family, love, loss and hope is directed by Timothy Wynn (Yielding, Kill Climate Deniers, Seawall) and stars Jason Klarwein (Once in Royal David’s City, Macbeth).

4-14 March at Bulmba-ja Arts Centre
Book your tickets today! 
https://collections.humanitix.com/every-brilliant-thing

...

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Director and Co-Producer Amber Grossmann of Overall Arts about Cooked and why you and the young people you know should come and see it tonight or tomorrow night (28 and 29 November). 

To book tickets: https://collections.humanitix.com/cooked

...

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📻 Playwright of Cooked, Kathryn Ash, visited the ABC Far North Studios this morning for an interview with Charlie McKillop. This reel features the audio from this 8 minute interview, while showing photos and videos from a tech / rehearsal run earlier this week. Have a listen to learn more about what inspired this work and why you should come and see it this Friday and/or Saturday! 

To get your tickets visit: https://collections.humanitix.com/cooked

Photos: Mimi Tannaka

...

38 2 instagram icon
This Friday, a remarkable group of emerging artists will step into the spotlight at Bulmba-ja Arts Centre to premiere Kathryn Ash’s new play Cooked. After months of development, creative exploration and serious hard work, they’re ready to share a production that dives into the lives of five young survivors navigating the aftermath of a freak lightning storm - a story that’s sharp, funny and deeply relatable for younger audiences.

The cast - Claudia Harms, Grace Meyers, Edward Hamilton, Robbie Ritchie, Renuka Bisht and Matt Raleigh - are all graduates of the JUTE Actors Studio Pathways program, guided throughout the year by Amber Grossmann, who also directs and co-produces this work.

They’re joined by a team of rising designers: Grace Meyers (Set & Costume), Jordy Lock (Sound), Nick Brach (Lighting), and intern Johanna Beard. Together, they’ve created an energetic new production they can’t wait to share with Cairns audiences.

If you want to champion the next generation of theatre-makers, now is the moment. Don’t miss this opportunity - book your tickets today: https://collections.humanitix.com/cooked

Photo: Mimi Tannaka

...

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Acknowledgement of Country

JUTE wishes to pay its respects to Elders, past and present, of the lands where we work, live and perform. JUTE acknowledges the Traditional Owners and Custodians of this land as well as the many regional areas we visit, tour and produce work. We recognise that these lands have always been places of art and story-telling.