What have you just WRITTEN?
Whether you are an aspiring or established playwright, MWT is the place to be in 2023. And regardless of what you have Just Written, chances are that we have a dramaturgical program, production opportunity, showcase event or inspiring monthly workshop that is a perfect match for your script and your skills and will help you, creator of the first and owner of the second, to grow bigger and shine brighter.
Our intensive dramaturgical program Page to Stage is now in full swing for 2023, with five playwrights and their developed scripts to be presented to the public in The Stage Door Readings at Theatreworks on 18th – 19th November. Our new creative development program Gasworks Script Lab, to be presented in partnership with Gasworks Arts Park, is also now heading towards the Public Presentation stage, and everyone will have the opportunity to enjoy the 18 scripts that were written during this program – dates and details to come! On 5th September at Richmond Theatrette we presented another wave of new scripts in part two of The Yarra Monologues. And we have some online and on-site events coming up that we think you will enjoy.
We’d love you to be a part of the MWT journey, so take a moment to wander through our website and find out what we can offer you. If you’re not already a member of Melbourne Writers’ Theatre, we encourage you to join. Wherever you come from, whoever you are and whatever you have Just Written, MWT is here to support you and your creative aspirations.
2023 CALENDAR
Our monthly Workshops are held on the first TUESDAY of the month from 7pm – 8pm, and usually via Zoom. They are open to members and non-members alike. After each workshop, attendees can choose to stay online for an informal chat. Details of our 2023 sessions can be found on the EVENTS page – below is the Calendar at a glance.
February 7
Workshop #1
Show Don’t Tell – the Power of Sub-Text
Facilitator: Naomi Sumner Chan
*Zoom
This first workshop for 2021 was preceded by the AGM.
March 7
Workshop #2
Finding an Authentic Monologue Voice
Q&A Panel session with playwrights Alison Knight & Louise Hopewell
* Zoom
April 11
EVENT
Melbourne Cat. Secret Weapon.
A performance of the new play by Ukrainian writer Mykhailo Krupnik.
* Zoom
May 2
EVENT
The Yarra Monologues
Part 1: Readings of New Monologues
* Richmond Theatrette
June 6
Workshop #3
Is Melbourne Fringe for you?
* Zoom
July 4
Workshop #4
Showreel Night – recorded readings of new MWT play excerpts
* The Performance Space, Docklands
August 1
Workshop #5
The Winter Read
A discussion of the latest play by Malaysian writer Adriana Nordin
Manan. led by Adriana.
* Zoom
September 5
EVENT
The Yarra Monologues
Part 2
* Richmond Theatrette
October 3
Workshop #6
Showreel Night – Part 2
An online reading of new MWT scripts, first presented on July 4
* Zoom
November 18 – 19
EVENT
The Stage Door Readings
Page to Stage 2022
* On-site and live-streamed
Saturday December 2
EVENT
MWT Showcase 2023
* The Performance Space, Docklands
Show photos captured by Anna Moloney-Heath, John A. Edwards and Cosima Gilbert.
P a g e
t o
STAGE
2 0 2 3
Q & A with Mark Andrew
In February 2023 Mark was awarded The Amethyst Award for his new play The Critical Marriage, which was presented at Gasworks Arts Park from 3rd – 13th May 2023.
We asked Mark about his inspiration for writing this play.
QUESTION
Why did you write The Critical Marriage?
My motivation for writing The Critical Marriage emerged from an interest in ‘futures’, both individual and societal. During the story’s conception I was working with Oxford University, taking a deep dive into academia including at The Future of Humanity Institute, an interdisciplinary centre asking big questions about humanity and its prospects. I grew the story primarily through the rarefied language of two invented intellectuals, each with fascinating areas of expertise (economics and evolutionary psychology). The theme of existential futures provided an inquisitive frame to examine my characters and their choices – an unexpected and rewarding accident.
ABOUT THE WRITER
Mark’s short plays have been produced in five countries including: The Arts Centre Fairfax Theatre Melbourne, The Seymour Centre Sydney, La Mama’s Courthouse, Dante’s in Fitzroy, The Little Theatre Williamstown, The Newtown Theatre, Chapel-off-Chapel, The Secret Rose Theatre (LA), Manchester’s Leigh Centurion (UK), The Performing Arts Centre (KL), and The Herald Theatre (NZ). A highlight was Jim Beaver (Deadwood, Supernatural, Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul) selecting two of Mark’s plays to perform in at LA’s The Secret Rose Theatre. Mark’s longer plays have featured as part of MWT’s seasons (Time’s Arrow, directed by Shannon Woollard), The Melbourne Fringe (Bomb the Base, directed by Louise Howlett) and Dante’s in Fitzroy (Seven of Hearts, directed by Wayne Pearne). Mark’s short story Sunday was commended by literary editor Jason Stegler in The Age.
Watch THE CRITICAL MARRIAGE
The Critical Marriage was presented at Gasworks Arts Park from 3rd – 13th May. For a summary and photos from this season, click here.
Photos:
Mark Andrew (photo supplied by playwright). The Critical Marriage (credit: MWT).
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