BACKBONE

ENSEMBLE

Backbone Ensemble is THE space FOR emerging PERFORMERS, WRITERS AND DIRECTORS TO TAKE THEIR CREATIVE PRACTICE TO THE NEXT LEVEL.

Open to artists from any discipline, Backbone Ensemble supports those looking to deepen their performance-making practice through collaboration, training, and ongoing engagement with an active arts organisation.

Led by Fen Carter and Stephen Quinn, Ensemble Artists will take part in weekly workshops, exclusive masterclasses, a dedicated devising period, and present work at Backbone Festival 2026.

Backbone Ensemble will give you the opportunity to deep-dive into your creative practice, build skills in collaborative performance making, and develop networks.

This is a selection-based program with a commitment from February to October 2026.

Check out the full details below!

APPLY NOW

*KEY INFO*

**WHERE:** Seven Hills Hub - 28 Tallowwood Street, Seven Hills, Brisbane
**WHEN:** Tues 24th February - Tues 20th October 2026
6:00pm - 9:00pm
**COST:** $400.00
**WHO:** Artists aged 18 - 30 years
**FACILITATORS:** Fen Carter & Stephen Quinn will lead the ensemble with guest artists.
**HOW TO APPLY**: You can apply via online form OR by submitting a short 5-10 minute video that responds to all the questions in the EOI form to: info@backbone.org.au.
**MORE DETAILS BELOW FOR 2026**

WHERE: Seven Hills Hub - 28 Tallowwood Street, Seven Hills, Brisbane, Queensland 4170
There is free parking on site and numerous nearby bus stops (Agnew Rd. & Kensington Ave.). The closest train station is Morningside Station (15 minute walk).

WHEN: Weekly workshops run on Tuesdays, 6:00pm–9:00pm, from 24 February to 20 October 2026.
As an Ensemble Artist, attendance at all weekly workshops is expected. Backbone Ensemble is a long-term program and requires a high level of commitment.
Additional rehearsals and performance-related sessions will be scheduled in consultation with the Ensemble Artists in the lead-up to the performance outcome at Backbone Festival.
Backbone Festival runs across weekends from 28 September to 17 October 2026. With the ensemble performance likely taking place on the final weekend Oct. 15 - 17

WHO: Backbone Ensemble is open to artists aged 18 - 30 across any art form/discipline.
COST: The cost of participation in Backbone Ensemble is $400.
A $100 non-refundable commitment fee is due upon acceptance of your place (by 2 March). The remaining $300 is due by 14 April.
Participants may withdraw from the Ensemble up to 14 April without further payment. If you choose to remain in the Ensemble after this date, full payment is required regardless of attendance.
Payment plans, as well as a limited number of scholarships and half-scholarships, are available upon request.
By accepting a place in Backbone Ensemble, you are committing to the full duration and expectations of the program.
Applications Open: Monday 19th January 2026
Applications Close: 5:00pm on February 16th 2026
To apply for Backbone Ensemble please follow these steps:
- STEP ONE complete the application form.
- STEP TWO your application will be considered by the Backbone Ensemble Facilitators.
- STEP THREE outcomes will be sent to everyone by Wednesday 18th February 2026.
- STEP FOUR if your application is successful, attend the first workshop on Tuesday 24th February 2026.
At the first workshop, Ensemble Artists will be required to share a piece of art with the group. This could be a monologue, song, dance, poem, short story, drawing, baked good, or any other creative offering of your choice.
Applications Open: Monday 19 January 2026
Applications Close: 5:00pm, Monday 16 February 2026
Offers: Successful applicants will be notified by Wednesday 18 February 2026
Workshop Dates:
Tuesday 24 February – Tuesday 20 October 2026 (inclusive)
(Weekly workshops run 6:00–9:00pm)
Finance Dates:
- Offer Acceptance Fee ($100) due: 2 March 2026
- Final Balance ($300) due: 14 April 2026
Participants may withdraw and relinquish their Ensemble spot by 14 April without paying the final balance. After this date, full payment is required regardless of attendance.
Performance Dates:
Performance outcome will take place during Backbone Festival 2026 (28 September – 17 October 2026).
Attendance: Weekly attendance at all workshops is expected as part of your commitment to the Ensemble.

THE FACILITATORS

Fen Carter

Fen Carter is a queer writer, performer and facilitator from Meanjin who has been creating work since 2017. After leaving the scene during the COVID lockdowns, they have come back with a passion for performance, creation and sharing the love of it. They are currently the co-facilitator for the Backbone Youth Arts revived Ensemble program. They have written for Playlab’s Incubator, ATYP’s National Studio, and La Boite's Assembly, and have had work produced through Backbone Festival and Observatory Theatre. You probably know them for the Australian gothic work The Cane or the semi-autobiographical lecture-comedy An Asexual's Guide to Love and Sex.

Stephen Quinn

Stephen Quinn is a maker of many things. By taking a highly visual approach, Quinn is known for creating vibrant and visceral works of theatre, installation & performance. From 2013 to 2017 Quinn was an associate artist of The Danger Ensemble, devising, performing and associate directing across their works. As an associate artist, Quinn trained extensively in the Suzuki Method of Acting Training, devoured knowledge about contemporary theatre, and experimented with the symbiotic relationship between text & design. He has also performed for numerous independent directors including: Nick Cave - Heard (GOMA 2016); Jo Loth - Julius Caesar (Jo Loth Productions 2016 & 2017); and Younes Bachir - BaBeL (Backbone Festival: How Soon Is Now 2018).

Quinn's self created performative works includes: Yellow (Brisbane Emerging Arts Festival 2013 & 2High Festival 2015); Icarus (Anywhere Theatre Festival 2015); Sisyphus (2High Festival 2016); and The Gods are Bored (Backbone Festival: How Soon is Now 2018). In recent years, Quinn has evolved his work with installations into set & costume design. In 2020 he designed a new musical by Sampson Smith & Jermey Neale, Absolute Objectivity; in 2021 he set dressed Chelsea McGuffin & Co's outdoor circus premier, Hysteria; and in 2022 he designed the set for Sarah Stafford’s Matilda Award Nominated show, Again, You Have Trusted Me.