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Bali Padda

@balissimo

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Gadigal Country / Sydney AUS 🇦🇺 Punjabi 👳🏾‍♀️ Neurodivergent Creative
Founder @little_goat_arts
Co-Founder @wonderplay_studio
Rep @dukeactors

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The son of a preacher man and a tradie lady, Bali Padda was once set for a “safe” career in IT, until the stage called him home. Now a respected multidisciplinary director, producer, actor, dramaturg and screen executive, Bali has become a vibrant force in Australia’s creative industries, championing representation, equity and powerful storytelling.

After years in strategic and bureaucratic roles, working to dismantle systemic barriers for historically excluded communities, Bali joyfully returned to the stage in 2022. His directorial debut, Guards at the Taj (National Theatre of Parramatta), received rave reviews and led to a national tour in 2024. He has since directed Sunderella, The Village, King James and Champions, and produced major works including In The Space Between, Lighten Up and Minority Box.

From 2018 to 2021, Bali worked at Screen Australia as an Industry Development Executive, shaping initiatives across story, production, talent and equity. He’s consulted with Screen NSW, Screenwest, the Screen Diversity & Inclusion Network, AFTRS, the ADG and many more.

In 2024, Bali founded Little Goat Arts & Entertainment, a company built on courage, care, and cultural change, creating space for nuanced, brave stories that reflect the richness of our communities.

As a performer, Bali has appeared on stage in Jatinga, Legally Blonde, Singled Out, and internationally in Festa! and Lost & Found Orchestra. On screen, he’s starred in Letters Home, Top of the Lake: China Girl, Over and Out (Cannes Winner), and joins ABC’s Optics in 2025.

Named a Young Professional of the Year finalist by the India Australia Business & Community Awards, Bali’s legacy is clear, he lifts others as he rises.

“Because I’ve had the ‘outsider’ experience, I’ve made sure that anytime someone new comes in, I try to include them and make them feel like they know everyone.” – Bali Padda

His impact isn’t just in what he creates but how he makes people feel seen.

📸 by @johnnyvision by @balissimo

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a year ago

The girls, lately...

@amajsay by @balissimo

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6 days ago

Huge congratulations to our Co-Founder Bali Padda on winning the 2026 Award for Excellence in Arts, Culture or Music.

Bali is a talented alrounder who brings the whole of himself and his expertise to everything he does.

So well deserved.

WonderPlay Studio is apparently the magic ingredient to win awards 🙌🏼 🙌🏾

If you need some space to reignite your inner award winner, our Writers in Residence program is open for applications now. Link in bio.

#arts #theatremaking #actor #film #australianscreen #australiantheatre #newwork #WonderPlay by @balissimo

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2 months ago

This is us. Madeleine and Bali, Co-Founders of WonderPlay Studio.

We are theatre makers, writers, actors, screen and TV practitioners, neuroinclusion consultants, play agents and deeply passionate about people. We built this space for our community.

If you have not been in yet, you must come check out how it feels for yourself. Keep an eye on our posts for programs, residencies, event space and co-working.

#wonderplaystudio #neuroinclusion #arts #play

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Madeleine and Bali smiling on a deep pink sofa inside a magenta acoustic booth, a black lamp lit behind them. Madeleine wears pink glasses, floral earrings and a black dress. Bali wears round glasses and a dark red t-shirt. by @balissimo

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2 months ago

Wedding vibes in Southern Highlands celebrating Lucy + Joe. @amajsay taken in Mali Brae Farm, Fitzroy Falls by @balissimo

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2 months ago

🎨 EXCELLENCE IN ARTS, CULTURE OR MUSIC 🎨
This category celebrates finalists carrying culture forward through sound, story and service, each in their own way.

🎬 Bali Padda
Director, producer and actor behind Logie-nominated Optics and Emmy-nominated All Her Fault, whose stage and screen work and founding of Little Goat Arts and Entertainment has widened who gets to tell Australian stories.
Three different stages. One shared thread: using their craft in service of others.

🛡️ Manpreet Singh Dhillon
A Detective in WA Police's Family Violence Investigation Unit, giving seva where it's hardest and least visible and co-founder of Panjabi Pod, championing women in business and small business growth.

🎵 Simarjit Kaur
Founder of Melodia to Bliss Music School and a Gurmat Sangeet educator, researcher and PhD candidate, preserving Sikh musical heritage while sharing it freely across faiths - teaching from the belief that music helps people rise.

🎟️ Get your tickets now: https://events.humanitix.com/australian-sikh-awards-for-excellence-2026
Tables are limited - don't miss your seat at ASAE 2026.

#ASAE2026 #AustralianSikhAwards #SikhYouthAustralia by @balissimo

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Mum and me by @balissimo

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3 months ago

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3 months ago

A little late posting this, but for everyone in the family and especially @josh_padda and @kkiranbachra who might enjoy the tingling reminder of joy from a couple of weeks ago for their beautiful engagement/sagan. #prouduncles by @balissimo

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4 months ago

On Monday evening, we hosted readings for our inaugural Writers in Residence at WonderPlay Studios. A fabulous night of storytelling and good vibes. Congratulations to writers @moniquekalmar @sahota_productions @suppleaugusta and @just_jessting !

Our next intake is open for applications and close on Tue 9 June. Check out the link in bio for details.

#writers #wonderplaystudio #writersresidency #creatives #playwriting #screenwriting taken in WonderPlay Studio by @balissimo

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4 months ago

Delish Sydney Sunday autumn wibes with fellow Desi creatives by @balissimo

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6 months ago

Super chuffed to be a part of the @sistrenverse, making a guest appearance as @griffintheatre ‘s producer for this show, supporting the powerhouse @leilaadelaideenright of @greendoortheatreco 🫶🏾🙏🏾💗🌟

@iolanthelovesyou and @the_planetjanet are superstars. They create magic on stage, bringing such vivid life to the debut text by @iolanthelovesyou 💗

@ianmichaelianmichael directs along with a team of brilliant creatives & crew that bring the remarkable ridiculousness of this playscript to full, larger-than-life brilliance! @kelseydlee_ @stophertendaniel @_emmarosewhite @tkabioye @angela.nica @dylan.r.vdb @frankib_ @tylzfitzpatrick & Jen Jackson taken in Belvoir St Theatre by @balissimo

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