Back to Back Theatre

Back to Back Theatre is an Australian theatre company that engages with disabilities on stage. The company is based in Geelong, Victoria creating its work nationally and touring around the world. The work produced by the company explores questions about politics, ethics, and philosophy in humanity.

The company originated in 1987, and a year later its first performance Big Bag was put on stage.

The ensemble currently consists of six actors, all of whom are neurodivergent or disabled. As of May 2022 the Back to Back ensemble is: Simon Laherty, Sarah Mainwaring, Scott Price, Mark Deans, and Breanna Deleo.

Back to Back Theatre gained international attention in 2007 after touring with small metal objects and winning a Green Room Award. Another play Ganesh versus the Third Reich revolved around ideas of eugenics and Nazism and received a Helpmann award after its first performance in 2012. In 2019 the company also engaged in some film work creating Oddlands, a 28-minute pilot for TV that will grow into a six-part series.

In 2013 Back to Back Theatre published a book We're People Who Do Shows ― Back to Back Theatre Performance, Politics, Visibility that expanded on the company's artistic vision, process, and history.

The company's film Shadow was showcased at the Sydney Film Festival in 2022. The film is a contradictory commentary on activism in disabled communities.

A US writing student named Kaiya Gordon has criticised the company for not discussing race in the context of disability.

Touring works

 * Single Channel Video
 * Shadow film
 * The Shadow Whose Prey the Hunter Becomes
 * Ganesh Versus the Third Reich
 * Small Metal Objects
 * The Democratic Set
 * Food Court
 * Lady Eats Apple

Awards
For Back to Back Theatre
 * Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement (2024)
 * International Ibsen Award (2022)
 * Australian Disability Enterprise of Excellence Award (2012)
 * Sidney Myer Performing Arts Awards - Group Award (2005)

Ganesh Versus the Third Reich
 * Edinburgh International Festival Herald Angel Critics' Award (2014)
 * Kunstfest Weimar Very Young Jury's All Round Award (2014)
 * Green Room Award Best Ensemble Performance in Alternative & Hybrid Performance (2012)
 * Green Room Award Best Direction in Theatre (2012)
 * Green Room Award Best Production in Theatre (2012)
 * Helpmann Award for Best Play (2012)
 * Melbourne Festival Age Critics' Award (2012)
 * Kit Denton Fellowship for Theatrical Courage (2009)

Small Metal Objects
 * Bessie Award, New York (2008)
 * Green Room Award - Best Theatre Production (New Form), Victoria (2007)
 * ZKB Appreciation Prize, Zurich Theatre Festival (2007)
 * Inaugural Age Critics' Special Commendation, Melbourne Festival (2005)

Soft
 * The Age Critics' Award for Creative Excellence, Melbourne Festival (2002)