How does a new Australian play end up on the main stage? One way is by being commissioned by a theatre company. In today's episode, Dom Mercer, Head of New Work at Belvoir, talks us through this process. We discuss how new plays go from an idea to a story outline, and then through three drafts before they are considered for programming in a main stage season.

Dom takes you step by step through the development process within the commissioning model, and shares his provocations for playwrights going through their own drafting process. As a dramaturg of new writing, Dom has so many wonderful insights that are unique to each specific draft and his provocations for playwrights are some of my favourites.

About Dom Mercer: Dom Mercer is a dramaturg, director and producer based in Sydney. He is currently Head of New Work at Belvoir. At Belvoir his role has a focus on new writing and artist development, including leading the commissions and supporting the creative development pipeline for Belvoir's main stage productions in the upstairs theatre. He also founded and runs 25A; a curated season of independent works made in Belvoir’s Downstairs theatre.

We recorded today's conversation at Belvoir on Gadigal land. I acknowledge and pay my respects to the Gadigal people of the Eora nation who are the traditional custodians of the land on which Belvoir St Theatre is built.