The Centre Stage Residencies are presented by The Mill in collaboration with Adelaide Fringe as part of their Arts Industry Collaborations program.

This unique incubator program is for South Australian artists to progress a new performance work in its second or third stage of development to the next level, culminating in a season at The Mill as part of the 2026 Adelaide Fringe Festival.

The Mill will be offering 2 x 4-week Centre Stage Residencies this year.

Residencies are split into 2 x 2-week blocks. The first 2-week block will occur in 2025 followed by a work-in-progress showing at The Mill - to test ideas with audiences and develop an audience following.

The second 2-week block will occur in 2026 - to prepare the work for presentation in the 2026 Adelaide Fringe Season at The Mill.

We are most interested in theatre, comedy, physical theatre and cabaret - suitable for our small black box theatre in its 50 seat small stage set up.

Support

Between The Mill and Adelaide Fringe, the successful recipients will receive:

Artist honorarium $6,000 + 12% superannuation ($720) will be provided, to be used for artist/s wages and development costs
4 weeks venue hire (2 x 2-week blocks in The Breakout at The Mill)
A work-in-progress showing presented by The Mill at the conclusion of the first 2-week block
Production of a professional-quality showreel/video promotional material, created from footage of the first showing and one additional filming session provided by The Mill
Professional photography at the conclusion of the first development
A 10-show season at The Mill during Adelaide Fringe 2026
FOH, venue and technical staff for Adelaide Fringe 2026
100% box office from Adelaide Fringe 2026 season at The Mill to the artist
Production, admin and marketing support for the residency and Fringe season from The Mill
Contribution towards documentation or design for Adelaide Fringe season promotion/posters/flyers with support from The Mill’s Marketing and Development Manager
Promotion of the Arts Industry Collaborations program through the Adelaide Fringe website and social media channels
Inclusion on the Adelaide Fringe website's Arts Industry Collaborations page and associated shows listed amongst their 2026 Grant Recipients

Direct contact with the Artist and Venue team to facilitate show registration
Engagement in the Honey Pot Arts Industry Marketplace Program
Engagement in the Adelaide Fringe Professional Development series
Provision of the 2026 Adelaide Fringe Fund Branding Pack
1:1 in person, or online, meetings with the Arts Industry Collaborations Adelaide Fringe project coordinator to provide advice and support in the lead up to the 2026 Adelaide Fringe season
Access to 1:1 meetings with Adelaide Fringe's Marketing team to provide personalised advice to Fringe participants (bookings are limited and subject to availability)

Please note:

With this significant support and funding, artists are still responsible for self producing their work
Fringe show registration costs will need to be paid from the artist fee. Residency recipients are required to register their show as part of the 2025 Adelaide Fringe program
We recommend applying for a Fringe Grant to top up your artist fees and development costs