Published on Monday, 23 February 2026 at 9:06:04 AM
The Matt Dann Theatre and Cinema continues to play an important role in bringing live arts and cultural experiences to the Hedland community.
For many locals, live performances offer an opportunity to come together, enjoy a night out close to home, and experience creativity in all its forms. Over recent years, the Live Show Programme has gradually grown, offering a wider range of performances and making live theatre, music and storytelling more accessible here in the Pilbara.
In 2025, the Matt Dann hosted nine live performances, featuring musicians, theatre makers, comedians and storytellers from across Australia. Community feedback showed a strong appetite for more opportunities to experience live arts locally.
This year, the programme continues to build on that momentum.
The 2026 Live Show Programme includes more than fifteen live performances, spanning music, theatre, comedy, family shows and culturally rich storytelling. The season features a mix of nationally recognised artists, touring productions and performances created with regional audiences in mind, offering something for all ages and interests.
“This programme is really about access and connection,” said Khristle Barr, Manager of Arts, Culture and Events. “We’re focused on creating opportunities for our community to experience live arts locally, whether that’s seeing a touring artist, supporting a local performer, or bringing your family along to a show designed especially for kids.”
This year also marks a first for the programme, with part of the theatre season heading offsite to the South Hedland Aquatic Centre, where audiences will experience The Pool — a unique outdoor performance that brings theatre into a new and unexpected community space. The offsite season reflects a willingness to experiment, adapt and meet audiences where they are.
Importantly, the Live Show Programme isn’t only about touring productions, it’s also about supporting and celebrating local creativity.
The 2026 season includes performances for and by young people, as well as opportunities for local groups to take to the stage. This includes performances from the Hedland School of Dance, along with continued involvement from HATch, Hedland Amateur Theatre, ensuring local stories, talent and participation remain at the heart of the programme.
A particularly special focus this year is on children’s access to live arts. As outlined in the Live Show Programme, many kids shows include access to all areas, giving young audience members the chance to move freely, engage directly with performances, and experience theatre in a way that feels welcoming and inclusive. These relaxed, interactive experiences help foster curiosity, confidence and a lifelong connection to the arts.
Access and affordability remain a key priority across the Live Show Programme. A range of ticketing options are available to help make attending live performances easier for everyone, including family passes, concession rates, companion card acceptance, and Blaktix, an initiative used by arts organisations across Australia to improve access for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander audiences.
The Live Show Programme is proudly presented by the Town of Port Hedland, alongside Principal Partner BHP, with valued partners supporting the delivery of a diverse and community focused season of live performances.
BHP Manager Community WA Rachel Donkin said BHP was delighted to support a programme that brought people together and strengthened community connection.
"Live arts have a unique way of creating shared experiences, and it’s great to see such a diverse and accessible season that reflects the spirit, creativity and culture of the region.," she said.
As the 2026 season gets underway, the focus remains on creating meaningful, accessible and enjoyable experiences for the Hedland community, with more opportunities to gather, participate and experience live arts close to home.
To explore the full 2026 Live Show Programme and book tickets, click on the link below:
VIEW 2026 LIVE SHOW PROGRAMME HERE
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