Curtain World began officially in 2021 as an effort by Esther Dougherty to consolidate and evidence the labour of production as seperate from their art works, and as a way to ‘business-ify’ without sacrificing any of the artistic spirit. What emerged was a production house that loves itself and its artists truly, that works for them. It produces Esther Dougherty’s work, producing their original plays and events, as well as offering production support to other artists. Esther exists across many company roles, and also contracts out to other artists and arts workers for projects. Though formalised in 2021, Esther has been making theatre professionally since 2015.

Esther Dougherty is a playwright and director from Magandjin (Brisbane). Since graduating a BFA Drama at QUT they have written and independently produced four original plays, The Moon Men (2015), Pawpaw Dog & Other Dog (2021), Slippery (2022) and Zagazig (2023). They have presented their shows at Melt Festival, Adelaide Fringe, Midsumma Festival, and on a back deck in Katherine, NT. They are in development for a fifth show, Fitzgerald Sunbeam, which presented a short showing at The Princess Theatre for DPS LAB 2023. Esther’s practice focuses on absurd comedy, surrealism, and queer life. They run their own theatre company, Curtain World, and perform in drag as Small Paul. In 2025, Esther’s play Slippery was nominated for three Matilda Awards (Best Costume, Best Ensemble, and The Lord Mayor’s Award for Best New Australian Work). They are currently studying a Masters of Fine Arts (Directing) at NIDA.