A little about us

Hello! We’re Monkey Baa

We are a national Australian theatre company that creates extraordinary theatre for young audiences. For over 27 years, we’ve been creating productions for ages 3-13 years that spark imagination, creativity and a lifelong love of the arts.

For thousands of young people, our shows will be their first time at the theatre; so, we make sure it's a moment they'll never forget. A story they will never forget.

Our work

We take our shows on epic journeys across Australia and the world, visiting over 60 communities each year. We perform in bustling cities and we prioritise getting to regional and remote towns. We collaborate with schools, local groups, and charities to ensure every young person can experience the joy of theatre.

We are based in Sydney and Brisbane, but the road is our home…on the way to a theatre near you.

Young people at the heart

Whether it's attending a show, participating in workshops at school, interning, or joining our Youth Advisory Council, we provide multiple ways for young people to connect with our work and each other.

We have deep respect for young people as our audience of now, not just into the future. We love working together to inform everything we do, including co-creating some of our most creative moments.

The challenge

We believe every young person deserves a front-row seat to creativity. Why? Because research (and our hearts) tell us that engaging with the arts can have a profound impact on young people.

But…we have a problem! Not every young person is experiencing these benefits. Because of where they live, money and other barriers, many are missing out. That’s why Monkey Baa is directing our impact to change this.

Our history

1997

Monkey Baa was formed 24 years ago by Eva Di Cesare, Sandra Eldridge and Tim McGarry.

1998

We premiered our first show, The Bugalugs Bum Thief adapted by Eva, Sandie and Tim, at Glen St Theatre.

2003

We toured Worry Warts across Australia, bringing theatre to remote communities all over the country.

2004

We moved into the Seymour Centre as a resident theatre company for seven years.

2005

We developed a Learning program to support our touring productions and create arts education opportunities for young people across Australia.

2007

We were awarded the Helpmann Award for Best Children’s Presentation for our adaptation of Hitler’s Daughter.

2010

We were awarded the Helpmann Award for Best Children’s Presentation for our adaption of Thursday’s Child.

2011

We toured Hitler’s Daughter to the United States.

2012

We moved into the ARA Darling Quarter Theatre as a resident theatre company.

2012

We premiered our adaptation of Goodbye, Jamie Boyd, exploring mental health and its impact on young people.

2013

We reached 1,000,000 young people with our adaptation of Emily Eyefinger.

2017

Eva, Tim and Sandie were awarded a Sydney Theatre Award for 20 Years of Excellence and Extraordinary Service to the Children and Young People of Australia.

2016

We adapted Li Cunxin’s The Peasant Prince for the stage.

2017

We toured The Unkown Soldier by Sandie Eldridge to the United States. Diary of a Wombat toured to 56 venues nationally.

2018

We toured our adaptation of Josephine Wants to Dance to 49 venues across Australia.

2021

Eva becomes sole Artistic Director, embodying our new creative direction of the company.

2021

We established the Penny Cook Creative Associates Program in honour of the late Penny Cook, a dear friend and past-Chair of the company.

2022

We toured Jenivieve Chang’s adaptation of Yong to regional Victoria, following a rich collaboration with the Chinese community of Ballarat.

2024

We bid farewell to our cherished home, the ARA Darling Quarter Theatre, as we embark on an exciting new chapter, dedicating ourselves entirely to creating and producing exceptional theatre.

Company News

Turn a Story into Wonder This Festive Season
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A new shiny strategic plan
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Welcome to our new Board Directors!
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Professor Judith McLean appointed as our new Chair
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Meet our principal sponsor: ARA Group
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Reflection on 2023: Our Annual Report
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Our awards
2022
Sydney Theatre Awards - Yong
2020
Glug Award, Possum Magic
2019
Glug Award, Josephone Wants to Dance

Sydney Theatre Awards, Josephine Wants to Dance
2018
Glug Award, Diary of a Wombat
2017
Sydney Theatre Awards, Special Award for 20 Years of Excellence and Extraordinary Service to the Children and Young People of Australia

Drover Award – Tour of the Year The Peasant Prince
2016
Sydney Theatre Awards – The Peasant Prince

Glug Award – The Peasant Prince
2015
Drover Award – APACA Touring Legend

Glug Award – The Unknown Soldier
2014
Glug Award – Pete the Sheep

Glug Award – The Unknown Soldier
2011
Glug Award – Hitler’s Daughter
2010
Helpmann Award – Thursday’s Child

Glug Award – FOX
2007
Helpmann Award – Hitler’s Daughter

Drover Award – Touring Excellence
2006
Drover Award – Audience Development
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Our Impact

Evidence shows that engaging with performing arts can have profound impact on young people’s lives. Our impact is driven to respond.

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Our Strategy

Developed with input from friends, stakeholders and young people, our Strategic Plan guides our work for the next four years.

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Our People
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