Submissions open: June 1st 2015. Submissions close: June 30th 2015
SAYarts have announced their new program for emerging young playwrights: PlayWrite.
Internationally renowned playwright Finegan Kruckemeyer will mentor a young writer (15-20 years old) through the process of working with an ensemble and a director to create a new work for the 2016 Adelaide Fringe at Holden Street Theatres. The company is calling for submissions from young writers for the program. Shortlisted writers will be given the opportunity to work with playwright and Artistic Director Sean Riley on his workshop The Seven Questions of Storytelling, and one writer will be mentored by Kruckemeyer to work with the ensemble and have their work performed. Kruckemeyer will mentor the writer via skype, email and with in-person visits.
“PlayWrite gives an extra dimension to the creative opportunities for young artists in our state, and the ability for them to work with Finegan is pure gold – he is a truly gifted and often-performed playwright who is strongly embedded in youth theatre and youth issues” said SAYarts Creative Producer Bec Pannell. “This is a long-term plan – we want this to become an established and loved program in Adelaide’s theatre culture.”
Starting in July, Director Michael Allen, the selected writer, and the ensemble will explore the theme set by Kruckemeyer. The writer will then spend time developing a script that will be rehearsed and refined during the second stage. A week of consolidation in January will bring the process together to create a performance for the Adelaide Fringe in February. The company has also approached other South Australian playwrights who have responded very positively to the idea of mentoring in the future.
Finegan Kruckemeyer now resides in Tasmania with his family but his plays are performed across the globe to great success. Finegan began his creative career at Urban Myth along with other SA arts successes such as Sophie Hyde, Drew Proffit and Kate Box. Finegan has had over 70 commissioned plays performed on five continents and translated into five languages, and was an inaugural recipient of the $160,000 Sidney Myer Creative Fellowship.
How to apply: For more information on how and what to submit to PlayWrite, or to enrol as an ensemble member of this class students should visit www.sayarts.com.au