Home Grown

Nick Hedger & Ben Nicholson explain how their back of the pub idea became a national force to promoting Australian musicals.

In 2014, we were two 22-year-olds with a dream (and maybe a little too much confidence—or sheer blind naivety).

We threw together a concert at the Eureka Hotel in Richmond, thinking, “We’re writing songs in our bedrooms; surely there are others doing the same?” To our surprise, people showed up. The music was loud, the energy was chaotic, and somehow, something just clicked.

That scrappy night kicked off what would eventually become Home Grown Musicals Australia. We started small—like, “back of the pub” small—but what we lacked in polish we made up for in enthusiasm and determination. Over the years, that enthusiasm has grown into something a bit more polished and a whole lot bigger than we could have dreamed.

A huge part of that growth was thanks to Chapel Off Chapel in Melbourne/Naarm. Early on, they welcomed us with open arms and provided a space to dream big. It became our home—our place to test ideas, take risks, and connect with audiences who believed in what we were building. Another key supporter from the very beginning was Stu Hendricks and Music Theatre International Australasia (MTIA), whose sponsorship and encouragement helped us grow into the platform we are today.

Fast forward to 2025, and we’re thrilled to now have a residency at Sydney/Gadigal’s Hayes Theatre Co.—a huge milestone for us. Between these two incredible venues, we’ve found not just stages but true creative homes.

Now, Home Grown is a registered not-for-profit (because apparently, when you stop using Centrelink money to fund things, you need a proper structure), and exists to champion Australian musical theatre. We’re here for the writers, performers, and creators telling uniquely Australian stories. And honestly? It’s still the best job in the world.

What’s Happening in 2025?

It’s shaping up to be our biggest year yet, with nine concert events lined up across Melbourne/Naarm and Sydney/Gadigal. We’ll be at our beloved Chapel Off Chapel and The Hayes Theatre Co., presenting concerts that are more than just showcase performances—they’re a chance to discover incredible new work and celebrate the artists behind it.

Over the years, we’ve been lucky enough to premiere songs from Eddie Perfect’s Beetlejuice, Yve Blake’s Fangirls, Katie Weston & Tom Gleisner’s Bloom, Vidya Makan's The Lucky Country, and Carmel Dean’s Well-Behaved Women—just to name a few. We’ve also celebrated legends like Nick Enright and power-couple Bryant & Frank through our Songbook Series.

And our audiences have been treated to some unforgettable performances from incredible artists like Lucy Durack, Todd McKenney, and Kala Gare, among others. For our 2025 season, the incomparable Gillian Cosgriff will continue as our fabulous host, bringing her wit and charm to several events.

This year, we're especially excited to present Cassie Hamilton's A Transgender Woman on the Internet, Crying in concert at Chapel Off Chapel this February. (Yes, the title is brilliant. Yes, the show lives up to it.) This innovative musical, which premiered at the Adelaide Cabaret Festival, confronts complex sociopolitical issues through hyper-pop and comedic storytelling. Additionally, we're thrilled to showcase other readings from incredible creators that we can't wait to share with you.

It’s About More Than Performances

At its core, Home Grown has always been about helping artists grow. That’s why we run programs like The Grassroots Initiative, offering writers rehearsal space, readings, and industry feedback to develop their craft. Writers, keep your eyes peeled for 2025 submissions.

In 2025, we’re launching Home Grown Plus, a membership program designed to connect and support the creative community. It’s a space where writers, performers, and theatre lovers can find resources, forums, workshops, and exclusive content. Think of it as your one-stop hub for all things Aussie musicals—like a gym membership, but for your creative muscles (and one you’ll actually use).

We’re also investing heavily in upskilling with masterclasses in writing, composition, performance, and producing. We’ve always believed there’s no “right” way to make a musical—so these sessions are about helping people find their own voice, not fitting into a mould.

And speaking of big ambitions, did you know we also run the only dedicated sheet music store for Australian musicals? It’s packed with everything from AMEB syllabus pieces to songs from shows like FANGIRLS, Shane Warne, My Brilliant Career, The Boy From Oz, Well-Behaved Women, ATLANTIS, and Indy Angel’s Tragic. We’ve got a truckload of new releases coming soon—so if you’re looking for a song that’s fresh, Australian, and ready to be belted, we’ve got you covered.

Supporting the Next Generation

2025 also marks the launch of our Tertiary Student Award, designed to spotlight emerging talent in writing and performance. With a panel featuring industry leaders and mentorship as part of the prize, it’s another way we’re paving the path for Australia’s next generation of musical theatre creators and performers.

Want to Help Us Keep Growing?

We’re proud to be supported by the Australian Cultural Fund (ACF), where you can make tax-deductible donations to help us champion new voices, stories, and songs. Every dollar makes a difference, and we promise to put it to good use (because let’s face it, we’ve been stretching a dollar since 2014).

We’re incredibly proud of how far Home Grown has come, but we’ll never forget where we started. From our humble beginnings at Chapel Off Chapel to our incredible residency at The Hayes, we’ve always been about making space for Australian stories and the people who tell them.

We’re still just two (slightly more experienced but equally ambitious) guys who love making musicals, with a knack for biting off more than we can chew—and somehow chewing it anyway.

Thank you to everyone who’s been part of this journey. Whether you’ve been with us from the beginning or just joined the Home Grown family, we couldn’t do this without you.

Check out what’s coming up in 2025 at www.homegrownaus.com, or head to the ACF to support our work. https://artists.australianculturalfund.org.au/s/project/a2EMn00000G79tp/home-grown-plus-membership-site-start-up

2025 Season

Chapel Off Chapel (Melbourne/Naarm)