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In eight days time, Sidetrack Theatre will be hosting the first week of Stories from the 428. In under 3 months, two groups (a cluster perhaps?) of 8 writers will have created two full length works – which have been auditioned for by 150 actors, rehearsed by 8 directors and finally staged at Sidetrack Theatre, in the Addison road centre…

Largely this has been a playground for theatre practitioners: writers- given permission to write hatever they want (to a maximum of 12 minutes) and know that whatever they offer, will be staged. Directors- given actors, time, space and scripts with which to work. Actors- given a chance at being a part of an exclusive Australian premiere. Designers- given the chance and the challenge to create for 32 vignettes…

Over the past 6 weeks, I have been asked “where did the idea for this project come from?” and “what’s it about”… to which I take a deep breath and reply- community. Read more

It was said to Arthur Miller that the inclusion of “Death” in the title of his play “Death of a Salesman” would damage audience attendence as no one would want to see a play that so clearly telegraphed the end of the play… and that it would be somewhat depressing… However, since it’s first production, Miller’s play has gone onto be performed constantly somewhere in the world at any given point in time- highlighting the fact that sometimes theatre managers/script editors should perhaps hold their tongues… Read more

I’ve known Van Badham for a few years- first encountering her name in a newspaper article in 2006 about Australian Plays and then commissioning her in 2008 for the inaugural Brand Spanking New at New Theatre where she delivered a horrifyingly beautiful crass masterpiece directed by current VCA directing student Mark Pritchard. She has launched and promoted more artists from Wollongong than is possible to mention and she is a playwright with unparalleled distinction and energy… and one who’s movements in the world and in theatre I lovingly track through the medium of Facebook. Read more

After the success of the inaugural Off The Shelf in 2009, Queen Street Studio presents the third Off the Shelf a residency for writers and directors interested in creating original and compelling text based productions for the inaugural Sydney Fringe Festival.
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For many who are sweating it out in Adelaide- a fringe adventure is one where the idea must be strong and interesting enough to warrant the logistical and financial wrangling of performers, accomodation, fliers, venue, audiences, travel expenses. Fringe artists, like nomads, travel to Melbourne or Adelaide for such adventures… but now, (at last!) Sydney’s artists get to air their ideas in their home town and dream big in the everyday landscape of their lives and SUCK IT AND SEE.

The Sydney Fringe is imminent and its time to put digits to keyboard and apply! Read more

Shopfront’s Residency program is open for applications from those artists interested in developing a project in 2010. I am a board member at Shopfront as I believe in its interest in and commitment to developing the arts practice of artists who are under 25. In the last week I have had the great priviledge to have met several applicants who have submitted early applications for the residency program for this year. Last year I attended the Artslab Residency Showing which was simply fantastic. It included a piece by Tim Spencer called “The words they make with their mouths” which is on right now at the Adelaide Fringe. (check it out if you can!)

Shopfront is a fantastic place for emerging artists to make connections with fellow artists and to explore ideas, practice styles under the mentorship of independent theatre director and Shopfront Theatre’s Artistic Associate Michael Piggott. Applications close on March 26 2010. Read more

It’s true that I spend a good deal of my time looking for, creating projects for, promoting new writing talent. In the last 3 years I have created 3 independent projects (Metamor/phases, Brand Spanking New, Stories from the 428) and a script development hothouse (Off the Shelf) culiminating 64 opportunities for writers/directors/actors to develop/practice/ showcase their art. In the middle of all of this- working a full time job, maintaining my relationship and writing for myself and for a company in Canada when I can. I’ve tried to create opportunities that I would want – places of experimentation, colleagiate regard as opposed to competition, places where work can be written, developed and produced within a year (yes- how novel!). How delighted I was when Phil Spencer contacted me about putting a little something forward for Cut and Paste! Read more

The team from Stories from the 428 are looking for approximately 20 actors of all ages, looks and backgrounds to join us for a two week season at Sidetrack Theatre in March 2010. Read more

It was May last year when I starting thinking about Sidetrack Theatre. I took a half day off from my day job to meet with Don Mamouney and to ask him about the theatre. A couple of weeks prior I had gone to the theatre with Jonathan Wald to see Wayne Tunks’ latest production. Sidetrack had remained a “venue for hire” after it’s funding was cut- and seemed to have occasional shows on- but nothing that splashed loudly in the print media or on the web. It is the theatre which I am geographically closest to. If Belvoir is Mr Waites’ “local”, then “Sidetrack” is certainly mine. Read more