After studying theatre in Melbourne, where he had several shows produced at La Mama, Stephen Carleton moved to Darwin where he worked as an ensemble actor with Darwin Theatre Company (1995-1999). In 1997 he formed Knock-em-Down Theatre in Darwin.

He holds a MPhil (Creative Writing) and PhD from the University of Queensland and  currently convenes Performance and Industry: Dramaturgy & Playwrighting and teaches across a range of courses including Australian Drama, Post-Colonial Theatre and Drama Production courses. Carleton is a professional playwright, actor and director.  He won the 2004 Patrick White Playwrights' Award with his play Constance Drinkwater and the Final Days of Somerset; and his scripts have been produced by a range of theatre companies, including Sydney Theatre Company, Queensland Theatre Company, La Boite Theatre (Qld), Knock-em-Down Theatre (NT), Darwin Theatre Company and JUTE in Cairns.