Ballarat's thriving performing arts community is preparing to welcome a powerful new theatrical work after local playwright and performer Megan J. Riedl was announced as the first recipient of the Spot Light development pathway within the Ignite! contemporary performing arts initiative.

The program, delivered by The Rat Lab with support from the City of Ballarat, is designed to help emerging and established local artists develop original productions through professional mentoring, workshops, creative development, theatrical support and seed funding. Riedl's selection marks the beginning of a new initiative aimed at strengthening Ballarat's reputation as one of regional Victoria's leading creative centres.

Riedl will use the opportunity to further develop her original stage production, Travels with my Black Dog, before presenting the completed work at Her Majesty's Theatre in August 2026. The play draws heavily on lived experience and explores the realities of living with bipolar disorder, combining humour, physical comedy and emotional storytelling to encourage greater understanding of mental health.

The story follows a character stranded while travelling after vehicle problems leave them isolated and struggling to navigate both everyday life and the healthcare system. Accompanied by an imaginary dog, the character confronts loneliness, mental illness and family responsibilities after a younger relative reaches out during their own mental health crisis. Through moments of comedy and vulnerability, the production aims to reduce stigma surrounding bipolar disorder while highlighting resilience and hope.

City of Ballarat Mayor Tracey Hargreaves praised the announcement, describing it as another example of the city's growing creative strength. She said programs such as Ignite! help local artists transform ambitious ideas into professional productions while reinforcing Ballarat's standing as a UNESCO Creative City of Crafts and Folk Art. Supporting local performers, she said, ensures original Australian stories continue to reach wider audiences.

Riedl said receiving the inaugural Spot Light award was an exciting opportunity to redevelop the production with a team of experienced theatre-makers who share a commitment to mental health education through the arts. She described performing at Her Majesty's Theatre as a significant milestone and said the support provided through Ignite! would allow the production to reach its full creative potential.

The Rat Lab President Emma Hall said the selection process attracted numerous high-quality applications from Ballarat artists, demonstrating the city's strong creative talent. She said Travels with my Black Dog stood out because of its sophisticated storytelling, emotional relevance and experienced creative team, making it an ideal project for the inaugural Spot Light season.

Ignite! was established to encourage innovative contemporary theatre by providing artists with opportunities to experiment, refine scripts and collaborate with industry professionals before presenting finished productions to audiences. Organisers hope the initiative will continue supporting original works that reflect diverse community experiences while strengthening Ballarat's performing arts sector.

Performance dates for Travels with my Black Dog will be announced in the coming weeks, with tickets to be released through Her Majesty's Theatre. Organisers expect the production to become one of the highlights of Ballarat's 2026 cultural calendar as audiences gather to experience a deeply personal story addressing mental health through contemporary theatre.