DRAMA QUEENS - WHEELER CENTRE - Female Playwright Debate, 6:15PM - 7:15PM, Thursday 24 March

Wheeler Centre, 6:15PM - 7:15PM, Thursday 24 March 2011

Why do we see so few plays by Australian women?

Something, somewhere, in Australian theatre is not working. Are female playwrights not out there, or are they being denied opportunities? And if there is a problem, what’s being done? With calls of sexism and a push for the introduction of quotas, many Australian women playwrights are on the warpath. Playwrights Patricia Cornelius and Van Badham talk with Artistic Directors Marion Potts and Ralph Myers, moderated by Chris Mead from Playwriting Australia.

Presenters

Patricia Cornelius

Patricia Cornelius is a playwright, novelist, dramaturge and founding member of Melbourne Workers Theatre.

Chris Mead

Chris Mead is artistic director of PlayWriting Australia.

Ralph Myers

Ralph Myers is Artistic Director of Belvoir Street Theatre and one of Australia’s foremost set designers. He has designed for most of the country’s major theatre companies, including extensively for Belvoir and Sydney Theatre Company as well as Melbourne Theatre Company, Bell Shakespeare, Griffin Theatre Company and Legs on The Wall.

OFF CUT

A call for new and undiscovered playwriting talent

In Company Theatre has opened for short play submissions to be part of Off Cut 2011 – the short play festival where the audience votes for the winner.

There will be 28 plays chosen to be part of the festival at The Riverside Studios in Hammersmith.

Please click here for information on the Festival. We would be grateful if you could post it on any of your notice boards, online forums and websites.

There is no charge for submissions.

Please email us, if you would like any more information,

Please click here for details on full length production of the Off Cut 2010 Panel Writer Award winner. Sweet Engineering of the Lucid Mind by Mitch Feral runs at the Hen & Chickens Theatre from 29th March until 2nd April.

Regards,
Janet Palmer
Production Manager, Off Cut– In Company Theatre

“The Off Cut Festival was a wonderful experience, not just winning but being involved. As a direct result of Off Cut I was signed by Lisa Babalis at The Agency and have been working closely with Ben Rix of Little Brother Productions which has resulted in them commissioning me to write a TV Series treatment. Then working with In Company to produce BENDER - my prize for winning the festival - was brilliant too! CLOSER TO GOD and BENDER are now both running as part of The Wet Rep at Waterloo East Theatre. I would recommend any budding or more established writers to get involved! “ Anna Jordan - Off Cut 2009 Winner.

“Just wanted to say thank you so much for asking me to be a judge for Offcut – I thoroughly enjoyed myself and was completely bowled over by the writing! It’s such a great showcase and concept” Lisa Babalis - The Agency - Panel Member 2010

“The professionalism of the entire company, which brought to life so splendidly not only my own play but all the plays I was able to see.” Virginia Hayden – Off Cut 2010 Writer

“I wanted to convey to all of you how much I enjoyed, and was impressed by, the plays and whole experience of Saturday night. You must all feel very proud of yourselves for creating such a successful festival. It was both informal and friendly as well as slick and professional. I enjoyed all the plays greatly, including the couple for which I held reservations. It was tricky having to award prizes when they were all so commendable!” Anna Brewer - Methuen Drama - Panel Member 2010

“Since the Off Cut Festival 2010 I have had some amazing opportunities come my way and it has really helped raise my profile as a writer. I have been in conversations with a very well known literary agent, have been approached by numerous producers regarding my work and have rekindled my links with BBC Writersroom and am now embarking on my first TV writing project. It has proved an amazingly fruitful, creative and positive experience and I would like to thank everyone involved for creating such a strong platform for emerging writers to showcase their talents. I shall definitely be looking to get involved again next year! ”Tanja Mariadoss - Off Cut 2010 Writer

“I was delighted to reach the final with my play The Trunk and quickly went on to collaborate with fellow Off Cutters to develop it at a second festival. The theory works. Off Cut is a great opportunity for writers to meet like minded talented individuals and develop their work” Mke Carter Off Cut 2010 Writer
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