Cross Encounters is a renowned not-for-profit performing arts company in Melbourne. Established by Olivia Wang – the leader in Chinese-Australian performing arts scene, the group is dedicated to creating innovative intercultural works. The company is Melbourne’s sole fully accredited Chinese-Australian performing arts organisation. By combining the best of the Australian and Asian performing arts sectors, the team is dedicated to create innovative intercultural works. It also leads and fosters mutual conversations, partnerships, as well as networking and exchange opportunities. The company has received and been nominated for more than ten local and national awards, for achievements in arts innovation, supporting and preserving cultural expression, as well as fostering intercultural understanding by creating opportunities for collaboration. In 2024, the organisation’s impact has attracted international attention, and has been shortlisted for the annual Non-Profit Organisation Awards. Their story has also attracted wide media attention. With the growing recognition in the industry, Cross Encounters has been considered as an emerging leading group in cross-cultural performing art between Asia and Australia.

Cross Encounters is also the first independent non-profit performing arts organisation in Melbourne with a particular focus on the exchange and communication between Chinese and Australian theatre, particularly physical theatre. Our activities are created by a small, passionate group under the guidance of a board of directors, made up of professionals from inside and outside the performing arts industry. Our members trained professional artists and awards credit, with the majority of them from Melbourne, RMIT and Monash University backgrounds, and work at the cutting edge of innovative cross-cultural performance-making.  

Some highlights of each year_Cross Encounters

Development Path

  • 2020
  • Created and performed the first ever physical theatre piece combining Chinese and Australian performers under a Chinese director globally via live streaming

  • 2021
  • Created and performed Nirvana, the first ever Guitar and guzheng combined performance in Australian physical theatre, performed at La Mama festival
  • Received the Multicultural Excellence Award for the Arts in the state of Victoria

  • 2022
  • Nominated for the Melbourne Awards Arts and Events Award
  • Embarking on performing tours across the state of Victoria
  • Started to create themed innovative cross-cultural drama show series/events
  • 2023
    Launched Melbourne’s First Physical Theatre Open Social Forum (PTOSF)
  • Engaged by the Australian Council of the arts to facilitate Chinese-Australian performing arts industry masters to collaborate at Australian Performing Arts Market(APAM)
  • Began the development of first short film about Chinese-Australian theatre makers, and started using its media channels to incorporate live streaming and filming in performances
  • Premiered the first ever Chinese Opera physical theatre piece A friendship of life and death to be presented in Australia
  • Planned and delivered Melbourne’s first Asian Australian Drama Music Festival(AADMF) with the support of Victoria State Government
  • Made a successful debut of the innovative cross-cultural drama show series Christmas Romance, garnering extensive media coverage

  • 2024
  • Supported by the city of Yarra, presented Chinese New Year celebration event with innovative feature-Musical Dumplings Feast(MDF)
  • Delivered special event ‘A Letter to Mum’ on Mother’s day and launched the continuing innovative online relay movement – ‘Expressions of Love’ 
  • Ongoing participation in 2024 Australian Performing Arts Market(APAM) and the World Expo 2025 Osaka Cultural Program
  • Wake Her Up – Melbourne’s first East-West modern fairy tale with a twist of love story and super heroism is receiving international awards

  • 2025
  • Delivered Asian Australian International Art Forum(AAIAF), offering a unique opportunity for interaction and understanding, and emphasising the cultivation of the next generation of artistic talents.
  • A further WAKE HER UP creation  from Cross Encounters’ modern fantasy East-West intercultural IP series, spanning film, web video and theatre is on the way.