Following the success of the Industry Audition Insights Workshops held in Sydney and Melbourne in 2025, the Rob Guest Endowment is convening new Industry Insights Workshops in both cities this year, with expanded new offerings.
Led by Australia’s leading industry creatives, the Industry Audition Insights Workshops aim to open the door to the workings of the audition room, and the skills required to participate in Australia’s professional music theatre industry as a performer.
Applications for the 2026 Industry Insights Workshops are now open. For more details and how to apply, go to www.robguestendowment.com.au
A major new addition for 2026 is the Artist Development Initiative, which is designed to support performers beyond the workshop and into the next stages of their trajectory.
At the conclusion of the workshop participants will be invited to apply for targeted financial support (from $500 to $1,500) to further develop specific skills identified during the program. This funding is designed to provide practical, career-focused training that helps artists take their next step.
The Artists Development Initiative reflects the Rob Guest Endowment’s commitment not only to identifying emerging talent, but to actively investing in its growth.
One of the 2025 Workshop participants commented:
“The Rob Guest Endowment Audition Workshop came along at just the right time. Prior to this experience, my career felt as though it was hitting closed door after closed door. My workshop experience has helped me realise that perhaps I’m a little closer to some wins than I had thought.
It’s reignited my drive to keep working at my craft, given me tangible, individualised feedback with which to do so, and reminded me why I’m working for it; the love of the story.”
In 2026, the Rob Guest Endowment is proud to introduce the Kellie Dickerson Emerging Musical Director Program, honouring Kellie’s extraordinary contribution to the Australian music theatre industry. Kellie was a deeply respected musical director, mentor and collaborator whose influence continues to be felt. This program has been created in her honour to support the next generation of musicians stepping into music theatre, and to reflect her passion for nurturing emerging talent.
The Kellie Dickerson Emerging Musical Director Program is designed to identify and develop emerging pianists and aspiring musical directors, offering a meaningful pathway into professional music theatre work.
Running alongside the Audition Insights Workshops, the program creates a collaborative environment that mirrors the real-world relationship between performers and music teams. This program is ideal for those looking to take the next step from study or early career experience into the professional music theatre industry.
In 2026 the Rob Guest Endowment is again thrilled to be working with Stage A Change to help deliver these experiences with a renewed understanding of inclusivity and support.
Since its inception in 2009, the Rob Guest Endowment has sought to foster excellence in the music theatre industry and continues to build on its legacy.
WORKSHOP DATES:
Sydney 17-18 August 2026
Melbourne 30-31 August 2026
For more information about the Rob Guest Endowment’s new initiatives, please visit the website.
Website: https://robguestendowment.com.au/
Socials: https://www.instagram.com/robguestendowment/
Hero image: Rob Guest Endowment 2025 Workshop Participants, supplied.
THE ROB GUEST ENDOWMENT
The Rob Guest Endowment was created following the sudden death of one of Australia’s finest musical theatre performers, Rob Guest OBE, in October 2008. In recognition of his achievements in the musical theatre industry, the Rob Guest Endowment was established in his honour to help emerging young performers in the musical theatre industry. The Rob Guest Endowment was created with the aim of building and maintaining a community for emerging musical theatre artists, one that welcomes and supports the younger generation and helps them achieve their dreams.
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