Weatherboard Theatre in Wentworth Falls is calling on all writers, and would-be writers, to submit scripts to be considered for a rehearsed reading with professional actors and directors early next year.
Weatherboard was recently awarded a $14,000 grant from the Seaborn, Broughton and Walford (SBW) Foundation to nurture theatre in the local area. The grant was the result of a successful production of A Door Ajar at the Fairmont, Leura, written by local playwright, Dale Turner. SBW Foundation director Kevin Jackson attended a performance, and was most favourably impressed.
Weatherboard president Claire Jones said the grant would enable a number of plays to be selected, depending on the quality, style and complexity of the submissions received. Each work chosen will receive a workshop, followed by rewrite time, before a final rehearsal and public reading around April next year.
The only stipulation is that the author is Blue Mountains-based. The closing date for submissions is November 20. “No time to faff about,” said Ms Jones.
Weatherboard Theatre is dedicated to growing a strong supportive community network that can help to produce more work for local writers and theatre practitioners and attract wider audiences.
Its members include Mark O’Flynn (who made the shortlist for the Miles Franklin this year with his novel, The Last Days Of Eva Langdon), actor Tiriel Mora from The Castle, and Shane Porteous, who starred in A Country Practice and has been writing TV scripts for many years.
For more information, go to Facebook or email weatherboardtheatre@gmail.com.