Founded in 1979 its original founders were Peter Carmody, Penny Cook, Eadie Kurzer, Jenny Laing-Peach, and Rosemarie Lenzo.
Their first project was to present the Irish play The Ginger Man by James Patrick Donleavy at the Kirk Gallery in Cleveland Street, Surry Hills on 6 April 1979.
"[8] In 1986 The SBW Foundation Purchased the Stables Theatre and offered the company a lifetime rent-free lease.
It is a three-week festival featuring multiple shows each day, curated to highlight emerging artists.
Shortlisted fellows complete a three-month incubator program for emerging playwrights, directors, dramaturgs, designers and composers to work with the company.
One of the fellows is then chosen to receive $30,000 to "pursue a self-directed program of professional development in Australia or overseas".