Oliver Ayres

Notes

Oliver Ayres (he/him) is a multi-award winning disabled trans theatremaker, actor and director living and working between Naarm and Eora. Graduating with a BFA in Theatre from VCA, he has performed and presented work nationally and internationally. In 2023 Oliver debuted with his one-on-one experimental piece ‘I’m Ready To Talk Now’ at Melbourne Fringe. During this run he sold out the season, received glowing reviews and was nominated for Best Experimental Work. ‘I’m Ready To Talk Now’ was further developed with funding from FUSE Festival and has gone on to win ‘Best Experimental Work’ with a nomination for ‘Best Work by an Emerging Artist’, and most recently had a sell-out season at the Traverse Theatre in Edinburgh. Oliver was the inaugural 2024 recipient of Theatre Network Australia and Melbourne Fringe’s ‘Change Maker’ award for showing outstanding leadership or innovation in equity, justice, inclusion and care, making the performing arts a better place to be. In 2025 he was a finalist for the Creative Excellence Award with Transgender Victoria. In 2024 he was also the inaugural recipient of the Creative Access Mentorship with Brand X, as part of his Performing Arts Residency in Sydney to develop the new work ‘No Seasons’. ‘No Seasons’ premiered in Melbourne in 2025 and will tour nationally and internationally in 2026/27. Selected highlights include: ‘Kaleidoscope’ (Montague Basement, 2016), ‘MONSTER’ (Melbourne Fringe, 2023, Adelaide Fringe 2024, Midsumma 2025), ‘Pram People - Hong Kong Edition’ (Polyglot, 2024), ‘The Placeholder’ (fortyfivedownstairs, 2026), ‘Specials’ (Arts House, 2026) and work with physical theatre company Born In A Taxi. Oliver's practice is strongly informed by his identity as a member of the queer, trans, and disabled communities. His goals as an artist are to uplift often unheard voices and create work that furthers their representation in the public eye.