NORPA wins grant for Dinner Party at the End of the World

NORPA has received a $250,000 grant from Creative Australia’s Creative Futures Fund to develop a new large-scale, place-based work in Lismore.

Dinner Party at the End of the World honours the region’s resilience in the aftermath of the 2022 floods, in a cross-artform exploration of climate crisis, recovery and community.

NORPA artistic director Julian Louis said the company was proud to be one of the most successfully funded in the state — and the only regional arts organisation to receive ongoing eight-year funding.

“Theatre is hard, and art needs philanthropy and partnerships — and it also needs strategic thinking, because theatre is expensive,” Louis said.

“I applaud Creative Australia on its initiatives. This $7 million fund supports big ideas and ambitious works that wouldn’t otherwise be possible.”

The development, led by Louis and artistic associate Heather Fairbairn, features acclaimed collaborators including playwright Suzie Miller, filmmaker Poppy Walker, associate artist Naomi Feller and a large team of performers and creatives.

The project began in studio with five actors exploring physical responses to the flood and has since grown to involve 21 artists and 150 community participants through workshops.

“The climate disaster affected so many people — so how do we respond to that together as a community?” Louis said. “This work will look at stories of radical kindness: rooftop rescues, soup kitchens, hope after catastrophe.”

The announcement comes just days after NORPA finalised the purchase of a new permanent home in Lismore, following an extensive fundraising campaign.

“We’re calling this stage zero — repair, get ready, and get in there,” Louis said. “The response from the community has been amazing, and we’re building a performing arts hub that will be adaptive and resilient.”

The first major show in the new venue is planned for 2027, but Louis said they hope to begin rehearsals, workshops and office setup by April next year.

For information, visit norpa.org.au