katie lees fellowship
The Katie Lees Fellowship empowers young female artists to tell their stories and celebrates the talents and creativity of young women in theatre, by providing access to a supportive arts community and the opportunity to develop and showcase their own unique performance pieces.
The Katie Lees Fellowship was created to honour the memory of Katie Lees, an actor, writer, and producer who passed away in August 2021.
In Katie’s show 'Temporary', she said "Ironing boards are surfboards who gave up on their dreams. Don’t be an ironing board." The Katie Lees Fellowship inspires young women to create their own work and not give up on their dreams.
The Fellowship provides a platform for women, 34 years and younger, to develop their careers within the performing arts sector; highlighting the excellence and innovation of young female creatives and encouraging more voices to be heard.
Recipients of the Fellowship will receive financial assistance and mentorship to develop and showcase their unique work. Providing the opportunity to develop an original script with a team of creatives, whilst expanding their networks within the performing arts community.
Recipients are supported in securing rehearsal space for workshopping and developing their performance piece and resourcing production staff and materials to produce their work on stage.
The Fellowship culminates in the recipient performing their developed works, at FlightPath Theatre.
Meet the 2026 Katie Lees Fellowship Recipient
Meg Denman (she/her)
Meg is an actor and writer based in Sydney. Originally from a small coastal town, she moved to Sydney to pursue a career in the performing arts. Meg completed a Bachelor of Creative Arts (Acting) at the Academy of Film, Theatre and Television in 2023 and has since appeared in a range of theatre productions and short films.
Meg is passionate about bold, female-led storytelling, she is committed to creating and contributing to work that centres women’s voices and experiences. She strives to keep telling stories that beg to be told through humor, vulnerability and a whole lot of heart.
RARA by Meg Denman
Elle, Millie & Zara are one night away from performing on the iconic ‘Diva-Nation’ stage. A show they’ve dreamt about dancing in since they were girls. They’ve trained hard, put their faith in the dance gods & are ready to do Beyoncé proud. The only thing stopping Elle is her ankle. And her knees. And her wrists. She’s riddled with arthritis, has been since age two.
When an unexpected (& completely unwelcome) flare-up threatens to tear her
dreams to shreds she must face it, head on. With the help of the CIA (Chronic Illness Angels), Elle grapples with the idea that her body might be the only thing in standing in the way of her and her biggest dream.
RARA is a love letter to chronic illness, big dreams, our bestie boos, dance & Spain in the summer. It’s a reminder of our strength. Our ability to handle a lot more than we think we can. Set to the soundtrack of the pop princesses who run the world. Call it a glimmer of hope, with touch of heartbreak & a whole lot of choreo. Call it RARA.
10 - 14 November 2026 | Flight Path Theatre
past recipients reflections
2025 Recipient
2024 Co-Recipient
2024 Co-Recipient
“Writer and creator Eloise Aiken approaches the subject with both courage and wit, crafting a script that dares to look the modern monster in the eye while allowing us to laugh at it.”
- Faith In Theatre
2024 Co-Recipient
2024 Co-Recipient
2024 Co-Recipient
Madeleine Stedman’s work is a powerful and timely exploration of rebellion, community, and the human toll of technological progress, balancing historical insight with sharp contemporary resonance.
2024 Co-Recipient
2024 Co-Recipient
2024 Co-Recipient
Grace Malouf’s piece is a bold and hilarious exploration of midlife disillusionment, frustration and ambition balancing moments of heartfelt introspection with unapologetic lunacy.
2023 Recipient
2022 Co-Recipient
2024 Co-Recipient
"Chloe Lethlean Higson's innovative new play is filled with courage, humour, empathy, and is a reflection of humanity but it also stands as a testament to female strength - mind, body and soul."
- Sydney Scoop
2022 Co-Recipient
2022 Co-Recipient
2022 Co-Recipient
"Losing It' revels in the awkward without making fun of its lead character and throws in plenty of surprises. And the climax? Lives up to all that comes before."
- Chuck Moore Reviews
2022 Co-Recipient
2022 Co-Recipient
2022 Co-Recipient
“All loopy, all comic gold, and with three glorious comic performances. A joy from start to finish, and – like it’s double-billed co-fellowship winner - absolutely not to be missed.”
- Chuck Moore Reviews
