Hallway with colorful abstract designs on the walls and doors, and a signboard indicating directions to studios, film studios, toilets, and fire exits, with a green exit sign on the ceiling.
A simple line drawing of a mouse sitting on a circular platform, holding a small glass, with a bright lamp shining down on it.

We’re so glad you found us.

We are a small group of independent artists who provide support to Ballarat performing artists including writers, performers, directors and creators.

We exist to foster and celebrate new performance work for Ballarat audiences.

The Rat Lab

About Us

We are a not-for-profit incorporated association. We offer support for performing artists and the community. We focus on nurturing artists who tell stories by and about Ballarat, and who speak to the contemporary human experience.

Who Are We?

What Our Artists Are Saying

Two women in an office or conference room, one sitting in a black office chair and the other standing behind her. The woman sitting wears glasses and a gray hoodie, and is gesturing with her hand while holding a folder. The woman standing has long red hair and is dressed in black, holding a folder and observing her surroundings.

“ The team are supportive, dedicated and experienced -- I should know, one of them is me.”

— Dr Rob, The Ballarat Company

Invitation to a reading event titled 'AUNT' by Maryanne Sam, with details of time, date, location, and contact information, featuring an image of two women from behind, with one having short hair and the other curly hair.
Two women are among boxes in a room; one woman is balancing on a box with arms outstretched, and another woman stands nearby with an open mouth, wearing glasses on her head.
A group of three people, two men and a woman, are engaged in a music session. The woman is playing an acoustic guitar and singing, the man with red hair is looking at her, and the man with a beard is holding a laptop, possibly working on music or lyrics.
A person wearing a large black hat with holes, standing in front of a blue backdrop decorated with numerous small blue lights.

“Thank God for The Rat Lab!”

— Maryanne Sam, whilst leaping to her feet at the end of her showing of AUNT in The Rat Lab

A woman standing in a mostly empty room with colored lighting, a red chair, a small table with a bottle, and a whiteboard.
Four people, mainly women, sitting at a conference table with drinks and papers, smiling and engaged in a meeting or discussion in a classroom or office setting.

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