Gasworks Circus Showdown is Gasworks Arts Park's professional development program for circus and physical theatre artists and one of the only opportunities of its kind in Victoria. We provide a platform for circus performers to develop innovative acts for presentation, culminating in an on-stage showcase in front of a live audience and industry experts. Entries received are shortlisted, and finalists perform in one of two Heats, and if selected, go on to perform at the Finale. Due to the current restrictions to help control the spread of COVID-19, postponed dates are subject to Government health advice. The new 2020 dates are: Wed 14 (Heat 1), Thu 15 (Heat 2) and Sat 17 (Finale) October. Gasworks will advise ASAP if further postponement becomes necessary.  

What kind of work are we looking for? 
Entries are invited from individuals or groups of circus performers of all kinds. Acts or excerpts of acts must be between 10 to 15 minutes in duration. Preference will be given to work that has not had a ticketed season in Melbourne. You must complete all sections of the entry form and be available for the rehearsal and performance dates including the Finale show. 

You will need to ensure you (and, where applicable, your group) can be available for rehearsals, which will take place the week before the Heats and Finale. As dates may be subject to further changes, we encourage you to apply and we can discuss your availability further. 

Mon 5 Oct: bump-in (you may need to drop off/rig/test your apparatus) 
Tue 6 - Wed 7 Oct: lighting plot during the day, rehearsals/rigging in the evening for acts in Heat 1 
Thu 8 - Fri 9 Oct: lighting plot during the day, rehearsals/rigging in the evening for acts in Heat 2 

How does the selection process work? 
Submit your completed entry form along with supplementary materials of your work. We encourage applications for works that are new or in-development, and innovation will be looked on favourably. The selection panel will assess your entry based on:

From the entries received, up to 8 shortlisted acts will be selected to perform at one of the Heats, held over 2 nights. Up to 4 acts selected by the judges will go on to perform at the Finale. Based on discussions with the shortlisted acts, the judges will deliberate and Awards will be announced.