It's been a long time between drinks (well in our case, newsletters) and we have put the finishing touches to some special announcements. This month we invite playwrights in SA and WA to a dedicated playwright forum in both states. We announce our seven Duologue pairings for 2018, share a playwright and theatremaker opportunity and much more.

Cheers

Lachlan, Michelle, Christie, Jorjia, Leila & Sophie

Playwriting Australia’s new Artistic Director Lachlan Philpott is keen to meet and converse with playwrights in South Australia and Western Australia this December. By bringing together the playwriting communities within SA and WA each in their own dedicated forum; we hope to be able to hear people’s views on the current and future state of play for playwrights and come to a clearer understanding of how PWA can support the needs of the diverse range of writers in this community. Please note both forums are exclusively for playwrights.

South Australia Forum Information
Date: Saturday, 15th December
Time: 12pm - 5pm
Location: John Bishop Room, Adelaide Festival Centre, King William St, Adelaide

Informal drinks to follow at 5:15pm with Andrew Bovell 

Western Australia Forum Information
Date: Saturday, 8th December
Time: 10am - 3pm
Location: Middar Room, State Theatre Arts Centre, 174-176 William St, Perth

If you can attend, please RSVP to Leila Enright, our Associate Producer by Saturday, 1st December so we can ensure we can accommodate you. If you have any dietary requirements, please include this in your rsvp.

Playwrights from regional areas in SA or WA who are interested in attending this gathering, may be eligible for a travel bursary. Please contact our Leila Enright for more information.

After being inundated with Duologue applications, we know there is a real need for a program that supports artistic collaboration for mid-career and established playwrights. Thanks to the generous support of The Walking Up the Hill Foundation, we are excited to announce that there are seven pairings for this year's intake. Check out our full announcement including an insight into the nature of each collaboration.

Nyul Nyul/Yawuru playwright Jub Clerc showcased her incredibly moving play THE FEVER AND THE FRET at the 2018 National Play Festival. Originally developed as part of the Broome Salon (partnership with PWA, Goolari Media and Yirra Yaakin Theatre Company); this November Sydneysiders will get the chance to see THE FEVER AND THE FRET read at the Ensemble Theatre. Ahead of its17th November reading, we asked Jub about her beautiful ode to love and memory and tale of one family’s resilience, as they reconcile small town life with a new, ever-changing world.

Seymour Centre, Mardi Gras 2019 & Siren Theatre Co present PLAYLIST: a peek, taste, and celebration of new works by LGBQTIA+ writers. PLAYLIST is a free event on 16 February 2019. There will be readings, presentations, pitches & performances by LGBTQIA+ writers & theatre makers and here's your chance to get involved! Submit EOI for your un-produced script to be considered for a professional play reading at PLAYLIST. Or complete an EOI if you are a queer theatremaker with a fabulous idea who's looking for a partnership or opportunity to develop your work; or your chance to take part in the pitch and networking session. PLAYLIST is also calling all actors and directors who want to be involved in the play readings. Email your headshot and a brief bio to sirentheatre@hotmail.com. Click here for more information on PLAYLIST.

Around the country this month and next, you'll be able to check out eight new works which have been developed by Playwriting Australia.

OCTOBER

*Astroman by Albert Belz at Arts Centre Melbourne
* Nana and Bertah by Monikka Eliah at Festival Fatale
*The Campaign by Campion Decent at Salamanca Arts Centre
*The Feather in the Web by Nick Coyle at SBW Stables

NOVEMBER

*Bottomless by Dan Lee at Fortyfive Downstairs
*Lamb by Jane Bodie at Red Stitch Actors' Theatre
*The Fever and the Fret by Jub Clerc at Ensemble Theatre
*The Gods of Strangers by Elena Carapetis at Dunstan Playhouse
 

Last month, acclaimed Australian writer for theatre, film and television, Andrew Bovell delivered the 2018 WAL CHERRY LECTURE at Flinders University. Andrew was also awarded an Honorary Doctor of Letters.
If you didn't get to hear Andrew speak about playwriting for the times and reflect on his play HOLY DAY. You can now read the transcript or watch his address.

Griffin Theatre Company presents THE FEATHER IN THE WEB by Nick Coyle — a wild, hilarious and unpredictable coming-of-age tale that asks how much we’re willing to give (and lose) for love. Originally developed in 2017 as part of PWA's National Script Workshop we have the chance for you to WIN A DOUBLE PASS to the Tuesday 13 November performance. Email winners@griffintheatre.com.au to enter with the subject line ‘PWA’.

Why not check out Audrey Journal's article on Nick's play, "An Entire Life on the stage in an Hour and a Bit."

Step back in time to the 80s where for gifted young teenager Jimmy Djalu, the local video arcade is the place to be. His mum knows better than anyone that Jimmy is a special kid with the world at his feet, but will he ever find the courage to reach for the stars? ASTROMAN by Albert Belz world premieres this October at Melbourne Theatre Company. Originally developed by PWA's National Script Workshop and later at 2015 National Play Festival, we're excited to see ASTROMAN take the stage. To celebrate this ultimate love letter to the 80s email PWA  for your chance to WIN A DOUBLE PASS to the Tuesday 6 November performance.