About K&R

Knock And Run Theatre is a Newcastle-based indie theatre company making work for people who like their theatre a little bit rough around the edges..

Since 2015, we’ve been creating bold, funny, weird, and unexpectedly moving theatre that pushes our artists and our audience. We’re interested in the kind of theatre that grabs you, shakes you a bit, makes you laugh when you didn’t expect to, and then sits with you on the car ride home. 

At the heart of what we do is collaboration. We work with emerging and established artists across Newcastle, NSW and beyond, creating space for people to take risks, try things out, fail loudly, succeed unexpectedly, and keep going anyway. We care deeply about process as much as product, and we’re big believers that the best ideas can’t become real until someone is brave enough to say them out loud.

We also care about accessibility, not just in who gets to be on stage, but in what theatre can be. We don’t believe you need an arts degree, a season subscription, or a perfect attention span to engage with live performance. If you’re in the room, you’re part of it.

And yes, we take the work seriously. But not ourselves. There’s enough angsty theatre in the world already. We prefer work that has bite, humour, heart, and just enough cheek to keep things interesting.

If you’re looking for theatre that plays it safe, we might not be your company. If you’re looking for theatre that pushes the envelope right off the desk, welcome aboard.

Awards & Nominations

Against all odds — and some very stiff competition — we’ve managed to pick up a few shiny things over the years. We're as surprised as you are.

Have a look — we promise we won’t let it go to our heads. Much.

2025

  • CONDA Best Dramatic Production - Now And Then (Nominee)

  • CONDA Best Ensemble (Play) - Now And Then (James Chapman, Liz Vassilacos, Patrick Campbell, Bronwyn Sartori) (Nominee)

  • CONDA Best Supporting Actor - Liz Vassilacos (Nominee)

    2023

  • CONDA Best Dramatic Production - Ideation (WIN)

  • CONDA Best Ensemble (Play) - Ideation (Ben Loutitt, Maddie Baillie, James Chapman, Tim Turner, Austin Cooper) (Nominee)

2022

  • CONDA Excellence by a Performer in a Lead Role - James Chapman, Trevor (WIN)

  • CONDA Best Dramatic Production - Trevor (Nominee)

  • CONDA Excellence by a Performer in a Lead Role - Karen Lantry, Trevor (Nominee)

  • CONDA Excellence by a Director - Allison Van Gaal, Trevor (Nominee)

  • CONDA Best Ensemble (Play) - Trevor - James Chapman, Karen Lantry, Maddie Baillie, Ben Loutitt, Zac Smith, Patrick Campbell, Nerida Walker) (Nominee)

  • CONDA Best Ensemble (Play) - Airness - (Bec Fitzsimmons, James Chapman, Roger Ly, Samantha Lambert, Richard Murray, Marty Worrall, Megan Kennedy) (Nominee)

  • CONDA Excellence in Set & Props Design - Allison Van Gaal, Trevor (Nominee)

  • CONDA Best Special Event - Play Date 2021 (Nominee)

2021

  • CONDA Best Dramatic Production - The Unseen (Nominee)

  • CONDA Excellence by a Director - Patrick Campbell, The Unseen (Nominee)

  • CONDA Best Actor In A Lead Role - Phillip Ross, The Unseen (Nominee)

  • CONDA Best Actor In A Supporting Role - Claire Williams, Two Point Oh (Nominee)

  • CONDA Best Ensemble (Play) - Two Point Oh- (Ben Loutitt, Bec Fitzsimmons, Tim Turner, Claire Williams, Patrick Campbell) (Nominee)

  • CONDA Excellence In Audio Visual Multimedia & Projection - James Chapman & Jacob Harwood - Two Point Oh (WIN)

  • CONDA Excellence in Lighting Design - Jacob Harwood, Two Point Oh (Nominee)

  • CONDA Excellence in Sound Design - Bill Parry & James Chapman, Two Point Oh (Nominee)

2019

  • CONDA Excellence by a Director - Allison Van Gaal, Circumference of a Squirrel (Nominee)

  • CONDA Best Actor In A Lead Role - James Chapman, Circumference of a Squirrel (Nominee)

  • Micro Theatre Award - Excellence In Acting - James Chapman, What Is About To Happen On The Dance Floor (WIN)

2018

  • CONDA Best Dramatic Production - Year Of The Rooster (Nominee)

  • CONDA Excellence by a Director - Allison Van Gaal, Year Of The Rooster (Nominee)

  • CONDA Best Actor In A Lead Role - James Chapman, Year Of The Rooster (Nominee)

  • CONDA Best Actor In A Supporting Role - Stephanie Priest, Year Of The Rooster (Nominee)

  • CONDA Best Actor In A Supporting Role - Matt Heys, Ajax In Iraq (Nominee)

  • CONDA Best Under 18 Performer - Will Parker, Year Of The Rooster (WIN)

  • CONDA Best Ensemble (James Chapman, Stephanie Priest, Carl Gregory, Jan Hunt, Will Parker) (Nominee)

2017

  • CONDA Best Dramatic Production - Grace (Nominee)

  • CONDA Excellence by a Director - Jay Wood, Grace (Nominee)

  • CONDA Best Actor In A Lead Role - Mat Lee, Grace (WIN)

  • CONDA Best Actress In A Lead Role - Samantha Lambert, Grace (Nominee)

  • CONDA Excellence In Sound Design - Jay Wood, Grace (Nominee)

  • CONDA Excellence In Lighting Design - Lyndon Buckley, Grace (Nominee)

2016

  • CONDA Best Dramatic Production - Suicide Incorporated (WIN)

  • CONDA Excellence by a Director - Patrick Campbell, Suicide Incorporated) (Nominee)

  • CONDA Excellence In Lighting Design - Lyndon Buckley, Suicide Incorporated (Nominee)