CRAM Collective
CRAM is a South Australian independent theatre collective co-founded by Flinders University Drama Centre graduates, Melissa Pullinger, Ren Williams, Connor Reidy and Aarod Vawser.
By cramming the most passionate and daring creatives into a room, they make work that changes the audience experience and redefines the Adelaide art scene.
Now led by Melissa, Ren and Connor, the collective believes in the importance of working with and surrounding themselves with like-minded creatives and are determined to produce work that challenges traditional conventions. CRAM seeks to collaborate with a variety of passionate, daring artists, showcasing the calibre of creatives in South Australia. With a wealth of skills including acting, directing, writing, filmmaking, devising, puppeteering and physical theatre, they strive to unite and experiment with a variety of artistic mediums.
CRAM Collective, Creative Innovator Program 2022 major seed funding recipients.The Helpmann Academy ensures that emerging artists,
like us at CRAM, are able to create self-sufficient and
sustainable careers in the arts. They provide
opportunities for growth and continual development,
as well as grants to foster creating your own work.
- 2022
CRAM presents debut show
New World ComingCRAM presents DISCO MILK as part
of Adelaide 48 Hour Film FestivalCRAM film DISCO MILK wins best
cinematography as part of Adelaide
48 Hour Film FestivalCRAM presents Something Big
CRAM runs the CRAM Hub, an
multi-purpose space for creatives2021CRAM receives a grant for website, social media, and branding
Value: $850
- 2022
Aarod receives a Helpmann Academy Elevate Mentorship with Elena Carapetis
Value: $2,491.49CRAM were participants in the Helpmann Academy Creative Innovator Program,
an incubator for creative entrepreneurship.
Value: $72,000CRAM receives the Helpmann Academy Creative Innovator Program major seed
funding, to support their emerging collective
Value: $20,000Connor attends Social Media for Creatives Workshop (webinar)
Connor & Melissa attend Write on the Money Workshop
Melissa, Aarod & Ren attend Juliet & Romeo Masterclass
Aarod & Ren attend John Bell Masterclass - 2023
CRAM are finalists for the Carclew
Creative Achievement Award for the
7NEWS Young Achiever AwardsCRAM are part of the premiere
episode of the new season of COUCH44 for Channel 44CRAM presents film Rory as part of
Adelaide 48 Hour Film FestivalCRAM film Rory is runner up for best
film, best sound design and best
writing as part of Adelaide 48 Hour
Film FestivalCRAM presents
THE FUTURE IS YOUCRAM collaborates with Slingsby
Theatre Company for Illuminate
Adelaide2023Connor attends Oskar Eustis Masterclass Ren attends Write on the Money Workshop
- 2024
Ren receives the Neil Curnow Award which supported her to undertake a
self-directed professional development program in London, taking part in
intensive screen acting courses
Value: $10,000Ren attends the Studio Headshot Day
- 2024
CRAM performs at Adelaide
Festival’s Floods of Fire, presenting
from THE FUTURE IS YOUCRAM presents FAG/STAG
CRAM presents EDGE: A Collection of Short MonologuesCRAM presents an encore season of
FAG/STAGCRAM presents film This is Fine as part of the Adelaide 48 Hour Film Festival
CRAM film This is Fine wins Best Film, Best Directing, Best Writing, Best Ensemble and Best Poster at the Adelaide 48 Hour Film Festival
2025Melissa receives a Development Grant to support the development of theatre
work Meteors
Value: $2,000 - 2025
CRAM film This is Fine is nominated for Best Ensemble and Best Hair and Makeup at the South Australian Screen Awards
CRAM presents a work-in-progress showing of Meteors, at The Mill’s Centre Stage Residency
CRAM presents film The Preservers as part of the Adelaide 48 Hour Film Festival
CRAM film The Preservers wins Best Film Runner Up, Best Writing and Best Use of Pro, with nominations for Best Editing, Best Directing, Best Ensemble, Best Hair and Makeup and Best Use of Genre at the Adelaide 48 Hour Film Festival
- 2026
CRAM presents their debut Adelaide Fringe work, Meteors
CRAM wins a Adelaide Fringe Weekly Award for Emerging Artist
Meteors wins the Edinburgh Fringe Tour Ready Award, the Melbourne Fringe Tour Ready Award and the Holden Street Theatres Award at the 2026 Adelaide Fringe
$107K +
value in support and
opportunities from
Helpmann Academy
- 2021
CRAM receives a grant for website, social media, and branding
Value: $850
- 2022
CRAM presents debut show
New World ComingCRAM presents DISCO MILK as part
of Adelaide 48 Hour Film FestivalCRAM film DISCO MILK wins best
cinematography as part of Adelaide
48 Hour Film FestivalCRAM presents Something Big
CRAM runs the CRAM Hub, an
multi-purpose space for creatives - 2022
Aarod receives a Helpmann Academy Elevate Mentorship with Elena Carapetis
Value: $2,491.49CRAM were participants in the Helpmann Academy Creative Innovator Program,
an incubator for creative entrepreneurship.
Value: $72,000CRAM receives the Helpmann Academy Creative Innovator Program major seed
funding, to support their emerging collective
Value: $20,000Connor attends Social Media for Creatives Workshop (webinar)
Connor & Melissa attend Write on the Money Workshop
Melissa, Aarod & Ren attend Juliet & Romeo Masterclass
Aarod & Ren attend John Bell Masterclass - 2023
CRAM are finalists for the Carclew
Creative Achievement Award for the
7NEWS Young Achiever AwardsCRAM are part of the premiere
episode of the new season of COUCH44 for Channel 44CRAM presents film Rory as part of
Adelaide 48 Hour Film FestivalCRAM film Rory is runner up for best
film, best sound design and best
writing as part of Adelaide 48 Hour
Film FestivalCRAM presents
THE FUTURE IS YOUCRAM collaborates with Slingsby
Theatre Company for Illuminate
Adelaide - 2023
Connor attends Oskar Eustis Masterclass Ren attends Write on the Money Workshop
- 2024
Ren receives the Neil Curnow Award which supported her to undertake a
self-directed professional development program in London, taking part in
intensive screen acting courses
Value: $10,000Ren attends the Studio Headshot Day
- 2024
CRAM performs at Adelaide
Festival’s Floods of Fire, presenting
from THE FUTURE IS YOUCRAM presents FAG/STAG
CRAM presents EDGE: A Collection of Short MonologuesCRAM presents an encore season of
FAG/STAGCRAM presents film This is Fine as part of the Adelaide 48 Hour Film Festival
CRAM film This is Fine wins Best Film, Best Directing, Best Writing, Best Ensemble and Best Poster at the Adelaide 48 Hour Film Festival
- 2025
Melissa receives a Development Grant to support the development of theatre
work Meteors
Value: $2,000 - 2025
CRAM film This is Fine is nominated for Best Ensemble and Best Hair and Makeup at the South Australian Screen Awards
CRAM presents a work-in-progress showing of Meteors, at The Mill’s Centre Stage Residency
CRAM presents film The Preservers as part of the Adelaide 48 Hour Film Festival
CRAM film The Preservers wins Best Film Runner Up, Best Writing and Best Use of Pro, with nominations for Best Editing, Best Directing, Best Ensemble, Best Hair and Makeup and Best Use of Genre at the Adelaide 48 Hour Film Festival
- 2026
CRAM presents their debut Adelaide Fringe work, Meteors
CRAM wins a Adelaide Fringe Weekly Award for Emerging Artist
Meteors wins the Edinburgh Fringe Tour Ready Award, the Melbourne Fringe Tour Ready Award and the Holden Street Theatres Award at the 2026 Adelaide Fringe
$107K +
value in support and
opportunities from
Helpmann Academy