107 PROJECTS AND ACTOR’S CENTRE AUSTRALIA ANNOUNCE NEW PLAYWRIGHTING AWARD

 

performance-space_1-1280x0-1474890956

Last night saw 107 Projects and The Actor’s Centre Australia (ACA) launch an exciting innovation in funding for playwrights. The new model can be summed up by a comment by Melissa, a writer with whom I was chatting over canapes at the event. “It’s incredibly rare for a playwriting prize to guarantee a production.” she excitedly explained. THE NEW PLOT PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AWARD does exactly that and not just for the winner but for each the 6 finalists.

The award was launched this evening by award winning, international director Gale Edwards, who is Ambassador to the project and celebrated Australian playwright Stephen Sewell, who will serve on the expert panel which will shortlist the entries.

Speaking passionately at the launch Gale Edwards spoke of the ‘loneliest experience’ of a writer who creates work which travels “from the little wooden stage to the hearts and mind of strangers”. She stressed the need for collaboration and suggested that no play is complete until a director has tried to rewrite at least a third of it! Collaboration is exactly what this award aims to nurture.

The Award provides each of the 6 finalists with a company of graduated actors from ACA and a professional Australian Director; rehearsal space at Actors Centre Australia, Leichhardt; a production budget and access to an Audio/Visual designer. The six selected 25 to 35 minute plays will be staged to the public as part of the 107 Presents 2017 program which takes place during the months of March and April 2017 for a 2 week period.

Stephen Sewell spoke of the passion and drive of the young writers he teaches and how they are desperate to say something new and true. And how, “at the end we throw them into an industry which cares not for the passion and love and dedication they have.” This award will be a ‘game changer’ for writers. The winner of THE NEW PLOT PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AWARD receives the full professional development package.

This package includes $10,000 cash; one on one time with panel members; script production with a cast of ACA actors and professional directors; professional cinematic audio production by AFTRS for radio and online broadcast, and a 4 week artist residency at The Bundanon Trust to support the writers professional growth and provide opportunities for extended reach through the development of the script into a full length play. The winning script will then be featured in 107 Presents 2018 program with a full 3 week season.

Applications are now open and close 31st December this year. Information at

http://www.thenewplot.org/#panel