Sparc Theatre is a community-based performing arts program for adults with disability, where participants explore and develop skills in drama, acting, singing, improvisation, script, dance, movement and choreography.
Sparc Theatre participants are also provided opportunities to perform in productions, films and live events, collaborating with other professional artists and companies in a variety of settings, contexts, public and online experiences.
The performers of Sparc say:
“At Sparc Theatre we explore ideas and have the opportunity to meet other people and to enjoy ourselves and each other.
It brings people together, to collaborate, use our imagination and is a forum for our respective perceptual styles.
It can be infectious and gives us the courage to try new things and not worry.
Sparc is an excellent program and we look forward to it each week.”
Sparc Theatre meets one day a week on Fridays from 10.00am to 1.00pm at the wheelchair accessible Baxter Hall at Christchurch Community Centre, corner Acland and Eildon St, St. Kilda during Victorian School terms.
Sparc Theatre is managed and supported by highly qualified disability and inclusive arts practitioners who provide specialised approaches for participants to grow and develop their creativity, social connections, community participation, networking with peers and professional artists, as well as promoting their self-expression, confidence and leadership abilities, health and wellbeing.
The team is comprised of Artistic Director Geoffrey Thorsen and Disability Arts Support Workers Angelina Lodge and Marjetka McMahon-Krizanic, some of whom have been working with Sparc since its inception.
Sparc Theatre takes place in an accessible building, entrance on ground floor, with an accessible bathroom and kitchenette. We supply tea, coffee and nutritious fruit and food for morning tea.
Sparc Theatre is a fee-for-service activity that may be supported through participant's NDIS Plans (Core or Capacity-building Supports) and/or Aged Care Packages (Planned Activity Groups).
Participants who are NDIS plan approved who Self Manage or pay for Plan Management and/or Aged Care Package approved are welcome to engage in this program.
Entry to Sparc Theatre is determined by whether there is a vacancy, and interested people are always welcome to come for an initial visit, before discussing enrolment.
To find out how Sparc Theatre can match NDIS and/or Aged Care supports, please contact Nilgun to request Sparc Theatre's Quote & Information Sheet for NDIS planning purposes, or to arrange a time to visit. Email
Check out Sparc Theatre on Facebook and Youtube and listen to The Teapot Topics podcasts on Apple Podcasts
Browse Sparc's videos and CV.
Header image by Paul Dunn of Sparc Theatre's Are You Lonesome Tonight? production at the Greyhound Hotel 2015
Image description: Performer Rodney in cowboy hat and Hawaiian shirt surrounded by a large number of audience members who applaud him energetically. Rodney has both thumbs up, and is proudly smiling and happy in response.
Alumni and Acknowledgements:
Vitae Veritas acknowledges the vital support and management provided by The Port Phillip City Council for Sparc Theatre between 2004 and 2020.
Artistic Directors-
Nilgun Guven, Founding Artistic Director 2004-2013 and 2020-2022
Katie Lockett 2013-2019
Scott Gooding 2006
Myf Powell and Rachel Edward, Teapot Topics 2016-2017
Nicolette Forte, Associate Artist 2018-2019
Producer-
Cathy Horsley, 2004-2019
Arts Workers-
Phillipa Armstrong
Caroline Dean-Doehnert
Tessa King, Founding Arts Worker
Michelle Lukey
Jo Sloggett
Tali Brash
Lainie Cann
Jill Eldridge
Performers-
Graeme Oakley, Founding Performer
Greg Scanlon, Founding Performer
Mary Grace Levaskis
John Eslick
Danny Quinlivan
Margaret Quinn
Trudy Arnold
Kevin Lynch, Founding Performer
Terry Hall
Joy Poole
Anat Bigos
Johnny Evans
Brian Brennan
Spiros Dendrinos
Dionysia Mansi
Ionna Constantelos
Shannon Doeh-Kershaw
Geoff Gent
Rodney Liebel
Michael
Kung
Maggie McEwan
Rita Wildner
Dominic Kilmartin
Collaborators-
Jodie ohm Zutt
Brian O’Dwyer
Adam Simmons
Hermione Merry
Pixie Mix
Rachel Edward
Myf Powell
Geoffrey Thorsen
Justine Sless
Blue Octopus- Jo Robertson, Brian O’Dwyer and Salvatore Salvo
Martin Green
Ida Dueland-Hansen
Jeff Karutz
Rosie Burgess
Designers-
Esther Hayes, Costume Design
Dayna Morrisey, Set Design
Richard Vabre, Lighting Design
Suze Smith, Lighting design
Katie Lockett, set and costume design
Bronwyn Pringle, Lighting Design
Katherine Branch, Designer
Jason Ochotnicki, Props
Shane Grant, sound design
Former partners-
Arbias Inc, Founding Partner
Port Phillip Community Group
Prahran Mission
St Kilda Parish Mission
Vale-
Raylene Swann, Founding member
Kevin Charlton, Founding Performer
Dorin Wielunski, Founding Performer
John Dobbins, Founding Performer
Maureen O’Grady, Performer
Raymond Westwood, Performer
