The & Juliet musical in Wagga was directed by Michael Mitchell. Photo: Adam Wilson.
The NSW Supreme Court has temporarily lifted a suspension imposed by the Wagga School of Arts Community Theatre (SoACT) on the director of a recent musical production, but the legal dispute is set to continue, with another hearing scheduled for June.
In September and October 2025, Michael Mitchell directed & Juliet, a feminist-themed production imagining how life may have continued for Shakespeare’s Juliet had she not taken her own life at the end of Romeo and Juliet.
In December 2025, the SoACT committee sent Mr Mitchell a letter outlining complaints and alleged breaches of the organisation’s code of conduct while he directed the play. The allegations included claims he had used “non-inclusive” and “shame based” language and failed to meet marketing obligations.
Mr Mitchell published the letter on Facebook and disputed the allegations.
“The committee received complaints, did not investigate them, and acted merely on the face value of what the broad generalisations of the complaints say – without verifying a single assertion,” he wrote on Facebook.
“When I responded to the unsubstantiated allegations, the committee decided that my submission was inadmissible because they included conflicted members in the process who should have recused themselves.”
The SoACT committee suspended Mr Mitchell following the complaints process, and he lodged an internal appeal against the decision.
“I believe the committee’s decision disregarded the constitution, code of conduct, and statutory obligations we are all bound by. The suspension is not supported by proper process, evidence, or authority and is procedurally invalid,” he wrote on social media.
Michael Mitchell has criticised the way SoACT handled allegations against him. Photo: Michael Mitchell Facebook.
After his internal appeal was unsuccessful, Mr Mitchell launched Supreme Court proceedings against SoACT seeking the appointment of an arbitrator to help resolve the dispute.
At a hearing on Friday 24 April, the court issued an interim order temporarily pausing Mr Mitchell’s suspension so he could take part in the organisation’s 2026 Annual General Meeting, which was held on Monday 4 May.
The court order allowed him to attend the meeting, nominate for office and vote, pending further legal proceedings. Mr Mitchell represented himself at the hearing, while SoACT engaged a lawyer.
Region understands the usual vote for committee positions did not proceed at the AGM and the meeting was adjourned for 30 days.
Region contacted SoACT for comment but did not receive a response before publication.
Mr Mitchell said he would not be making further comment until after meeting with his legal team.
The Supreme Court matter is due to return on 26 June, when the court will consider the next steps in the case.
