About
Barking Gecko Arts
Why hello there!
Welcome to Barking Gecko Arts, where imagination takes centre stage and creativity knows no bounds. We deliver experiences that unlock the world’s opportunities through the magic of the arts. By engaging with us, humans of all ages are invited to ‘Imagine Bigger’, explore new possibilities, and broaden their horizons.
For over 35 spectacular years, through our legacy brands Barking Gecko Theatre and AWESOME Arts, we have been dedicated to crafting world-class, award-winning arts experiences designed to entertain, nourish, and inspire young minds. From captivating theatre performances and vibrant festivals, to dynamic workshops and innovative school programs, we offer a kaleidoscope of arts experiences that blend quality with boundless creativity.
Why do we feel so passionately about what we do, you ask? We believe that the arts are more than just entertainment—they’re a superpower for building essential future skills, broadening perspectives, and nurturing connections.
Our programs are thoughtfully curated to foster creativity, critical thinking, problem-solving, collaboration, agility, curiosity, confidence, and emotional intelligence. Each experience is crafted to be as educational as it is entertaining, making sure kids not only have a blast but also explore new ideas, hone their skills, and gear up for the adventures that await.
So, come join us at Barking Gecko Arts, where we turn artistic exploration into an exhilarating journey of growth, discovery, and endless opportunity.
Together, we have the power to imagine the brightest future.
We are honoured to make our work on Whadjuk Country, the ancestral lands of the Noongar people.
2024 – Sam Longley
2019 – 2024 Luke Kerridge
2015 – 2019 Matt Edgerton
2010 – 2014 John Sheedy
2006 – 2010 Jeremy Rice
1989 – 2006 Grahame Gavin
1987 – 1989 John Saunders (Acting Out)
2024
Sydney Theatre Awards Best Production for Children - Cicada (co-production with Sydney Theatre Company)
Performing Arts WA Nomination Best Ensemble - The Snow
2023
Performing Arts WA Nomination Best Mainstage Production - Cicada
Performing Arts WA Nomination Outstanding New Work - Arielle Gray, Luke Kerridge, and Tim Watts, Cicada
Performing Arts WA Nomination Outstanding Direction of a Mainstage Production - Luke Kerridge, Cicada
Performing Arts WA Nomination Outstanding Stage Design - Tyler Hill, Cicada
Performing Arts WA Nomination Outstanding Lighting Design - Chloe Ogilvie, Cicada
Performing Arts WA Nomination Outstanding Sound Design - Tim Collins, Cicada (WINNER)
Performing Arts WA Nomination Outstanding Performer in a Supporting Role - Grace Chow, The Great Un-Wondering of Wilbur Whittaker
2022
AWGIE Award Nomination, Best Theatre for Young Audiences - Dan Giovannoni, HOUSE
APDG Award Nomination, Design for a Live Performance - Charlotte Lane, HOUSE
2021
Performing Arts WA City of Perth Award Nomination for Outstanding Digital Engagement during Covid-19 - Isolate > Create > Connect
2020
Performing Arts WA Award Best Newcomer - Sukhjit Kaur Khalsa, Fully Sikh (WINNER)
Performing Arts WA Award Nomination Best Director of a Mainstage Production - Matt Edgerton, Fully Sikh (WINNER)
Performing Arts WA Award Nomination Best Composition or Arrangement - Pavan Kumar Hari, Fully Sikh (WINNER)
Performing Arts WA Award Nomination Best Mainstage Production, Fully Sikh
2019
AWGIE Award Nomination, Best Theatre for Young Audiences – Vanessa Bates, A Ghost in My Suitcase (WINNER)
2018
AWGIE Award Nomination, Best Theatre for Young Audiences – Finegan Kruckemeyer, My Robot (WINNER)
2017
Performing Arts WA Award Nomination Best Supporting Actor - St John Cowcher, My Robot (WINNER)
2016
Helpmann Award Nomination Best Presentation for Children - Bambert’s Book of Lost Stories (WINNER)
Helpmann Award Nomination Best New Australian Work, Bambert’s Book of Lost Stories
2015
Helpmann Award Nomination Best Presentation for Children - The Rabbits (WINNER)
Helpmann Award Nomination Best New Australian Work - The Rabbits (WINNER)
Helpmann Award Nomination Best Costume Design - Gabriela Tylesova, The Rabbits (WINNER)
Helpmann Award Nomination Best Original Score - Kate Miller-Heidke with Iain Grandage, The Rabbits (WINNER)
Performing Arts WA Award Nomination Best Production - The Rabbits (WINNER)
Performing Arts WA Award Nomination Best Lighting - Trent Suidgeest, The Rabbits (WINNER)
2023 The Snow (Australian professional premiere)
2022 The Great Un-Wondering of Wilbur Whittaker, and Cicada (world premieres)
2021 HOUSE (world premiere)
2020 Bambert's Book of Lost Stories
2019 Fully Sikh (world premiere), A Ghost in My Suitcase (Perth Festival), My Robot
2018 Bambert’s Book of Lost Stories, Living Lecture, A Ghost in My Suitcase (world premiere)
2017 My Robot (world premiere), Bambert’s Book of Lost Stories, Saltbush, In a Dark Dark World, Living Lecture: Romeo and Juliet
2016 Bambert’s Book of Lost Stories (world premiere), Sugarland, In a Dark Dark World (world premiere), The Rabbits, Living Lecture: Macbeth
2015 The Witches, Storm Boy, The Ballad of Pondlife McGurk, The Rabbits (world premiere)
2014 Jasper Jones (world premiere), The Ballad of Pondlife McGurk, Onefivezeroseven
2013 Hamlet, Storm Boy (world premiere), Driving Into Walls, This Girl Laughs This Girl Cries This Girl Does Nothing, Duck Death and the Tulip (world premiere)
2012 Driving Into Walls (world premiere), The Red Tree, This Girl Laughs This Girl Cries This Girl Does Nothing (world premiere), The Red Tree, Improvolicious 2.0
2011 Hoods, Improvolicious, The Red Tree (world premiere), The Amber Amulet
2010 Improvolicious – The Improvised History of Theatre, Castle Rascals, The African Magician, Aesop and His Fables
2009 Nargun and the Stars, Hoods, Fatty Wombat, Metal and Muscle
2008 Australia Vs South Africa, Skylab, Run Kitty Run, Improvolicious – The Improved Guide to Amazing Inventions, Gogofish, Castle Rascals, Bear Feat
2007 The Lost Girl, The Buzz, Run Kitty Run, The Troll and the Bowl, Improvolicious – The Improvised History of Theatre, Castle Rascals
2006 The Feather Surfers, Trains of Thought, The Troll in the Bowl, Hidden Dragons, The Buzz
2005 Crabbing At High Tide, Aerosoul, The Buzz, Pri-mates, Hidden Dragons, Tree House
2004 His Majesty’s New Clothes, Hidden Dragons, The Stones, The Buzz, Crabbing At High Tide, The Littlest Bird
2003 The Cat Who Ran, The Buzz, Hot Dogs, The Stones, Ghost Train, The Rodeo Kid, Aesop And His Fables
2002 Sarena’s Song, Alice@Wonderland, The Buzz, Aesop And His Fables, Own Worst Enemy, The Rodeo Kid, Leonora Project
2001 Mice – A Cheesy Little Musical, Own Worst Enemy, 1001 Nights, Stories of the Australian Zodiac
2000 Starlight Starbright, Frog Opera, Amy Monster, Tiger Tango, The Wizards and Witches of the New Australian Zodiac, Web life, Dolphin Talk
1999 Sandcastle Stories, Wet Dogs, Frog Opera, Turtle Island, Silverfish, Stoke!, Silverfish, Actors At Work, The Wizards and Witches of the New Australian Zodiac
1998 Frog Opera, Noah’s Flood, Turtle Island, Actors At Work, Danny In Trouble, Wild Geckos, Letters From the Inside
1997 The Emperor’s New Clothes, Magna Sonic, Wild Geckos, HeadSpace, Two Unreal Stories, Silverfish
1996 The Deliverance of Dancing Bears, Snugglepot And Cuddlepie, Way Home, Two Unreal Stories, Alice in Wonderland. First AWESOME Festival programmed!
1995 Alice in Wonderland, The Egg, Visiting the Relatives, Dolphin Talk, Ivory Circle, My Space Too, Bullyfruit, Twisted Universe, Yirra Yaakin separated from Barking Gecko Theatre Company to become its own wonderful company!
1994 Visiting the Relatives, Ivory Circle, The Sea Dreams of Isabele Ismay, Puppy Love, Malache – Dispatches from Another World, The Voyage of the Poppykettle, Visiting the Relatives, Talking To Grandma While the World Goes Around, Alice In Wonderland. First presentation at Perth International Arts Festival.
1993 Selected Moments From the Voyage of Vasco Pyjama, Ivory Circle, Boss of the Pool, Fossils
1992 Visiting the Relatives, Melanie and the Night Animal, The Amazing Adventures of Don Quixote, The Cat Makes Tracks, The Whale
1991 Wicked, Dolphin Talk, The Voyage of Vasco Pyjama, Black Diamonds, Unreal, Telling Tales
1990 Monkey See Monkey Do, Dolphin Talk, Jenny Goes Wild, Talking to Grandma While the World Goes By, Boss of the Pool, Boxed In
1989 Kit and Caboodle, Dolphin Talk, A Sporting Chance, Puppy Love, The Great Geraldton Railways Picnic
1988 Year 9 Are Animals, Susumu’s Story, Junk, Smash Hit, Hating Alison Ashley, Curriculum Alive