About Us
About Us
Founded by Madeleine Gandhi and Sean Landis in 2021, Fruit Box Theatre is an independent LGBTQIA+SB theatre company based on Gadigal Land (Sydney, Australia). Our mission is to strengthen queer representation, wellbeing, and collaboration in the arts.
We develop and produce original works that explore the spectrum of queer life – beyond tropes of shame, isolation and discomfort. Our community-based practice aims to strengthen intersectional representation, support artist wellbeing, and promote collaboration in and across Australia’s arts sector.
Fruit Box takes original creative works from conception to fruition by partnering and connecting with our community. You can learn about our past and current projects by clicking the links below.
Meet the Team
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Madeleine Gandhi (she/her)
Co-Founder & Managing Director
hello@fruitboxtheatre.com.au
Living on Wurundjeri land in Naarm/Melbourne
Madeleine (she/her) is the Co-Founder of Fruit Box Theatre. She has served as General Manager of both Darlinghurst Theatre Company and social enterprise Stage A Change, which aims to create and sustain professional opportunities for artists of colour across Australia.
Madeleine has developed and produced work at the Sydney Opera House, Griffin Theatre Company, Hayes Theatre Co and Kings Cross Theatre. In 2024, she was selected to participate in the MILKE Producing Development Program. Outside of producing, Madeleine sits on the Green Room Independent Theatre panel, contributes to national industry publication ArtsHub, and is a Board Director of literary journal The Suburban Review. Her work to amplify intersectional stories was recognised by Out For Australia's 30 Under 30 Awards in 2023.
She aims to use her legal training to make artistic careers safer and more sustainable in every sense.
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Sean Landis (he/him)
Co-Founder & Artistic Director
hello@fruitboxtheatre.com.au
Living on Gadigal land in Eora/Sydney
Sean is a director and producer with a collaborative practice that prioritises and celebrates Queer storytelling. As the Co-Founder and Artistic Director of Fruit Box Theatre, he has led the development of nine original productions since our launch in 2022.
Sean's recent directing credits include French Letters and Leather Cleaner (KXT, 2023), and Back to Birdy (Sydney Mardi Gras, 2024) which was a finalist in the Time Out Awards Best Play Critic’s Choice Category, and won Best Play in the People’s Choice Category. In 2021 he was recognised by Out for Australia’s “30 under 30 Awards” for his work to platform diverse LGBTQIA+ voices in theatre.
Sean also works as the Marketing Manager at Performance Space, and hold a Bachelor of Arts (Media Studies) and a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Sydney.
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Courtney Henson (she/they)
Access Coordinator
access@fruitboxtheatre.com.au
Living on Gadigal land in Eora/Sydney
Courtney Henson is a driven performer, researcher, and access co-ordinator with a passion for performance, not-for-profit work, and disability advocacy. They recently graduated from the University of Sydney with a Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Advanced Studies (Hons. 1st Class) after completing their thesis on Social Performance and Disability.
They have extensive experience working with artists and not-for-profits and have a desire to address the inaccessibility of the Australian theatre and performance sector through their research and accessibility coordination work.
Our Values
INTEGRITY
We are committed to learning from and listening to our community. Constructive conversations are welcome so please do not hesitate to email us if you have any comments, suggestions or feedback.
Creatives are selected for our programs by the Artistic Director and Managing Director through a merit-based application process. Criteria is clearly specified in Expressions of Interest and feedback is provided upon request.
RESPECT
The process of navigating identity politics in a rehearsal room requires respect, trust and a commitment to learning and unlearning. We ask all participants in our programs to treat different perspectives with empathy and open-mindedness.
We aim to be as representative of Sydney’s rainbow community as possible. Racist, transphobic, sexist, biphobic, ableist, homophobic or otherwise discriminatory behaviour will not be tolerated. Any grievances should be communicated to the Artistic Director or Managing Director as soon as possible.
COMMUNITY
Fruit Box Theatre facilitates a safe and inclusive environment for LGBTQIA+SB artists to heal, share and express themselves through storytelling. Through doing so, we seek to promote connection and wellbeing within Sydney’s LGBTQIA+SB community.
Our Supporters
Our Awards
