Student accepted into prestigious playwrights program

Third Year USQ student David Burton has had a play accepted into the Queensland Theatre Company's (QTC) prestigious Young Playwrights Program.

David's play, The Bachelor Prophecies was one of four plays from a field of over fifty from around Queensland to be accepted into the program, which gives playwrights the opportunity to have their plays further developed.

'Being a part of the program means that I've been given permission to work on my own creation in a really professional arena, that will develop it into something really worthwhile and entertaining,' David said.

'It'll basically be a big learning curve for me, I hope, and the play will go through a period of development with other professionals and workshops, before its part of a public reading in Brisbane.'

Although happy to be accepted, David said that his play still needed a lot of work and that he was looking forward to fine tuning his craft.

'Being accepted is really gratifying and certainly very humbling,' he said.

'Looking over the play now, I'm more than aware that it's not my best work, I feel like there's a lot more I can do with it and this program will really give me the opportunity to do that.'

A lifelong interest in writing helped the final year student reach this point in his young career, along with the support he said he has received from USQ.

'I don't know about playwright, but I've certainly always been writing,' David said.

'USQ has been amazing and this year, my final, has given me the ability to really set things up for my future.'

As part of being accepted into the program, David will now receive dramaturgical assistance for the remainder of the year.

'It really gives me a leg up into the industry and puts me in front of all the right faces at Queensland Theatre Company.'

Media Contact: Josh Ada, USQ Media, +61 7 4631 1628