USQ and QTC offer support to Australian female playwrights

USQ and the Queensland Theatre Company (QTC) have joined forces launching a play commission competition worth $15 000.

The competition is open to female playwrights producing new theatrical work with nationally significant themes.

Associate Professor Janet McDonald, Head of School (Creative Arts) at USQ said that this was the next step our ongoing relationship with QTC and all parties would benefit from promoting female playwrights and Australian theatre.

‘There is currently a drive in the national theatre sector to develop and support female playwrights and USQ would carve out a unique place at the forefront of this drive,’ Associate Professor McDonald said.

‘With QTC providing further creative development and possibly a professional production of this play, the playwright would also add to their national profile in the process.’

The one-off tender process offers emerging or established female playwrights the opportunity to receive financial and artistic support which is significant for developing new work.

Mr Michael Smalley, Lecturer in Stage Management and Technical Production (Theatre) at USQ said that this is a important step for promoting female playwrights.

‘This competition will be a great opportunity for female playwrights. Much of the work being produced is from a male’s perspective and ensuring voices of female playwrights can be heard in Australian theatres is important,’ Mr Smalley said.

‘USQ’s acting and technical production students will also be involved at various points in the process so there are many positives for everyone involved.’

The play will receive a staged reading by USQ students in mid 2012 with the potential for a full professional production in 2013/14.

USQ is Australia’s second oldest actor training institution and has a leading mix of practice and theory that produces graduates who are award-winning collaborative theatre artists.

Submissions close on 30 November 2011 and to be considered for the playwright’s commission, a one page plot and style synopsis, including a target market brief, character breakdown and your CV needs to be submitted.

For further information, including application details, visit the Playwright’s Commission site.