Festivals are wild. You’re one of 500+ shows all shouting into the same void. Your audience is distracted, you’re probably performing and producing, and the budget is… what budget?
This workshop is for anyone trying to promote their show at a festival without losing their mind (or money). We’ll show you what’s worth your energy and what you can skip, and how to stand out when it feels like everyone is doing the same thing.
It’s not about fancy strategies—it’s about realistic, creative, scrappy marketing that works when the competition is fierce and time is tight.
We’ll dig into:
How to plan your festival marketing without overdoing it
What actually works on the ground
The kinds of content to post when you’re running between shows
Smart ways to make friends with the venue, festival, and other artists
Doing the final push without feeling like you’re begging for sales
Laura Milke Garner is the driving force behind MILKE since 2008—an award-winning producer and mentor based in Naarm (Melbourne), Australia. With over 27 years of industry experience, Laura has produced and supported exceptional live work across Australia and internationally, collaborating with hundreds of artists and presenting shows on iconic stages including the Sydney Opera House, London’s SOHO Theatre, and major festivals around the globe.
Her recent producing triumph, Garry Starr: Classic Penguins, swept the 2025 festival circuit—winning Best Comedy at Perth Fringe World, Best Comedy at Adelaide Fringe, and the prestigious Most Outstanding Production at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.
Laura’s impact extends well beyond the stage. For over a decade, she’s been mentoring the next generation of producers through workshops, online courses, and personalised guidance. Her latest initiative, The Producer Lab, is a national platform dedicated to practical, accessible, and industry-relevant training for independent producers.
As Program Producer at Malthouse Theatre for the past five years, Laura curates the theatre’s annual four-week program for the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, spotlighting the best in local and international comedy. She’s also a committed advocate for the sector, having served on the boards of the Moosehead Awards, Golden Gibbo Award, and as a founding member of the Perth International Cabaret Festival.
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We acknowledge and respect the traditional owners and custodians of the land on which we work, create and live.
