Home Grown is a Not-for-profit Company dedicated to supporting, developing and promoting Australian musical theatre. Passionate about the vital importance of grassroots creation to the success of the Australian Musical, we provide a wide range of services to Australian musical theatre writers.

Our one-of-a-kind events see the hottest talent in the Australian musical theatre industry come together with the countries most exciting writers to celebrate the new works coming from our own backyard; and the Grassroots Initiative provides writers with the opportunity to have their work read for a panel of industry experts who then assist in development.

history

The first Home Grown event was June 16th 2014, at the Eureka Hotel in Richmond and since then it's taken on a life of its own. Home Grown began so that people who work in/around the musical theatre industry could come and unwind with a drink while they shared new ideas, catch up with friends and immerse themselves in the exciting new works people from within our own community are creating. In august 2014 Chapel off chapel welcomed us with open arms and since then has developed a vibrant following and an exciting community atmosphere. 

Creating a sense of community surrounding new works has been our goal from day one, taken a step further by the creation of the Home Grown website in 2015; An online hub for those seeking further information or involvement in Australian musical theatre and Home Grown stories. Launched at the same time was the Home Grown Sheet Music Store, still the only online store dedicated to selling sheet music to Australian Musical Theatre.

2016 saw the launch of The Grassroots Initiative; a long term development project to provide a series of development opportunities for writers to hone their craft and skill, as well as develop a piece of work. Thanks to the Victorian College of the Arts at Melbourne University, we were able to open applications for six writers/writing teams to take part in readings of their work. From the large volume of applications received, 12 were shortlisted and the final six musicals were read over six months to a panel of industry experts who provided feedback to the writers. This initiative continues. 

The Home Grown Songbook Series in December 2016 featured a special gala celebration of the music of Australian's 'most widely talented theatre person', Nick Enright. The Songbook Series is our opportunity to shine the spotlight on our countries more established and prolific writers in a special gala evening; allowing a deeper, more intimate journey through their catalogue of works. Other writers featured in a Songbook Series event include; Dean Bryant & Mathew Frank, Kurt Kansley & Oliver Lidert and Craig Christie.

Home Grown pivoted online during the pandemic, producing two successful online concerts and hosting online masterclasses for writers and performers. Home Gown returned to live performances at Chapel in June 2022 with a sell out concert performance of two new musicals; Tagic by Indy Angel and Bearded by Nick Waxman and Sean Donehue.

Home Grown strives for strong diversity amongst writers, performers and creatives including gender, race, LGBTQI+, cultural age and ability. Our driving force as an organisation is the encouragement and facilitation of a community with active interest in Australian made musical theatre and its’ creators.

In March 2024, Home Grown will make its’ Sydney premiere at The Hayes Theatre Co.