Since 1995, the Lincoln Center (NY) Theater’s Directors Lab has been nurturing the development of theatre directors from across the world.

In an Australian first, Melbourne’s visionary independent theatre venue and long time Festival partner Theatre Works have developed and will facilitate the inaugural Directors Lab: Melbourne to be held during Melbourne Festival (Sat 10—Sun 18 October).

Like its New York counterpart, Directors Lab: Melbourne will enable professional directors to take part in an intensive creative laboratory. Participating directors will share their skills, methodologies and learnings within a community of peers through masterclasses, workshops and explorations.

The 2015 Lab will focus on the different catalysts that inspire Directors to make theatre. What is the initial spark that fascinates and compels artists to create? Where do ideas come from, and which ideas warrant creative investigation? Why do we as artists and audiences gravitate to certain ones? How do ideas evolve from source material into fully-fledged theatrical productions? What is the role of the Director in this transition?

While this exciting development opportunity is available exclusively to industry professionals, audiences are invited to join creator of the Lincoln Center Directors Lab Anne Cattaneo and Artistic Director of New York’s PS122 Vallejo Gantner as they discuss the origins, dynamics and future of the arts landscape in New York during Melbourne Festival’s Artists in Conversation program.