Case Study: Every Brilliant Thing
A closer look at THAT Production Company's Every Brilliant Thing, supported by QTouring.
27/07/2025
With an upcoming statewide tour, Ipswich-based THAT Production Company, led by Timothy Wynn, has transitioned from a locally focused theatre-maker into a confident regional touring entity.
Originally staged by the company in Brisbane in partnership with Metro Arts, this production of Duncan Macmillan and Jonny Donahoe’s Every Brilliant Thing is a one-person theatre work which explores themes of mental health and connection, with a strong focus on audience participation.
With limited prior touring experience, future presentations were not part of THAT Production Company’s original ambitions for the work. However, with the targeted support and services provided by QTouring, this production has grown from a one-off season into a statewide tour, which will see the work taken to a mix of regional performing arts centres, civic venues, and community hubs.
This tour signals an evolution in the company’s business model, reflecting a deeper focus on intra-regional engagement to enable sustainable growth for a regionally-based independent producer.
Key Engagement
- Artist showcased + participated in Locals Expo at CONNECT Conference + Showcase in 2024
Artist attended QShowcase: Arts Market + Conference in 2025
Met three (3) times one-on-one to discuss touring strategy and provide advice
Provided direct introductions to key presenters
Reviewed budget, remount and performance fees
Advised on Touring Queensland Fund application and supplied a Letter of Support
Outcomes
- 23 presentations planned across regional and remote Queensland.
$100,000 in funding awarded from Arts Queensland’s Touring Queensland Fund.
Additional funding through Ipswich City Council discretionary funding for local presentations.
Ongoing partnership with Metro Arts for producing and delivery support of the tour.
Strong relationships formed with regional presenters, especially through QTouring’s CONNECT Conference + Showcase in 2024.
Direct introductions from QTouring led to in-principle commitments for 13 presentations, including the Western Touring Circuit, Gympie and Goondiwindi councils.
Reflections
QTouring played a key role in supporting THAT Production Company. According to Artistic Director, Timothy Wynn:
“The support from QTouring… significantly accelerated and expanded the tour. It certainly wouldn’t be the size it is now without it.”
Indeed, showcasing the work as part of the CONNECT Conference + Showcase in 2024, provided vital sector visibility and “brand trust” with presenters:
“Just having the work selected for the excerpt gave us a kind of endorsement that helped open doors.”
One-on-one mentorship focused on critical knowledge gaps for the company’s first major tour — helping to establish a realistic remount fee and demystifying buying prices:
“I didn’t even know what a per-show cost was... The budgeting conversation [with QTouring] was super helpful because I don’t think I was going to get that from [elsewhere].”
Further support focused on navigating the Touring Queensland Fund application, including providing a Letter of Support, contacting Arts Queensland to clarify eligible costs, and advising on how to articulate the planned bespoke touring model which mixes both professional managed venues and community presentations. Timothy Wynn considers this hybrid model to have been a key factor in the successful funding outcome.
He also highlighted the underestimated value of direct access to QTouring staff, describing the ability to “ask questions mid-brokerage” as critical for independent producers navigating complex touring negotiations.
“Having access to someone I could call in the middle of a presenter conversation — that was huge. I just don’t think I could have got the tour up without QTouring.”
Timothy Wynn
Artistic Director, THAT Production Company
Looking Ahead
This tour of Every Brilliant Thing has served as a catalyst for THAT Production Company’s ambitions. Informed by the learnings from this project, the company is exploring broader models for regional collaboration and statewide audience development, with QTouring continuing to provide advice.
Future tours of Every Brilliant Thing look likely in 2026 and beyond, and their new production of Clare Barron’s DANCE NATION premiering in 2025 has been developed specifically for touring. The company is also exploring alternative co-commissioning models across Southeast Queensland, building on relationships developed through QTouring.
