Launched on Tuesday evening, Wollongong's premier theatre company has diversified to meet the demands of pandemic restrictions and in doing so they've been able to make lots of dreams a reality in their programming.

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"What's really exciting is we've been wanting to do more of that - take theatre out of the traditional context," said artistic director Simon Hinton.

He likened Throttle at Bulli Showground to a "crazy, slightly zombie-inspired show" where the actors are lit by the eery glow of patrons' headlights.

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Another outdoor feature, The Sirens' Return, has been six years in the making from Anne-Louise Rentell, and will play out under the stars by Port Kembla Pool.

"While we'd talk vaguely about taking there, in the back of our heads we thought it would always end up in the theatre," admitted Hinton.

"Now we have the opportunity to realise it in its most exciting context."

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The idea has floated around Rentell's head for many years, but officially began in 2015 when she received funding to collect people's stories from around Port Kembla.

"I think stories are very seductive, especially if you're a storytellers, so finding stories is always my bag ... and this part of the world is so interesting," she said.

The theatrical piece tells the stories of six women with songs and music interwoven, but also "illustrates change" in the suburb.

"These stories aren't about people who have necessarily done amazing things, it's stories about people who have lived a life, what does that life look like and how has it influenced that life," Ms Rentell said.

Shane Jacobson's much-loved film, KENNY, (a plumber with a heart of gold and a job that's literally down the toilet) bring potty humour to the stage with Ben Wood in the starring role.

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American Psycho the Musical is another stage adaption - Christian Bale starring in the film version of 1991.

While lovable sheep Shaun will make his NSW theatre debut in Wollongong, as acclaimed circus ensemble Circa transform the animated series into a high-flying circus.

Other family-friendly productions are still in the mix for this year, as are traditional dramas and comedies which will play out in the Illawarra Performing Arts Centre.

One thing that is missing from Merrigong programming is the addition of a Spiegeltent season, purely because of logistics around public safety in a pandemic.

Previously the mirrored tent would be setup in the Arts Precinct and house comedians, acrobats, musicians and musicals for around five weeks.

"Complexities of COVID-19 make the Spiegeltent difficult, as by nature it's a very crowded space," Hinton said.

"We're not ruling it out in the future."

Ticketing conditions have also changed to make refunds easier for patrons.

For more details visit: www.merrigong.com.au

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