UNESCO Playwright-in-Residence

 

 

 

In November 2021, Melbourne Writers’ Theatre hosted its first-ever International Playwright-in-Residence through the Melbourne City of Literature virtual residency program, when Manchester-based playwright NAOMI SUMNER CHAN from Brush Stroke Order joined us for an online series of skills-based workshops and the script reading of her latest play ‘Banana Split’.

In November 2022, we were delighted to welcome Ukrainian playwright and lyricist MYKHAILO KRUPNIK (pictured above) to our organisation.

About MYKHAILO KRUPNIK

Born into a creative theatrical family, Mykhailo Semyonovich Krupnik was educated at school No. 121 in Odessa, where he gained an in-depth study of English and Ukrainian languages ​​ He graduated from the Odessa Polytechnic University (Odessa Polytechnic Institute), Kyiv State Institute of Culture. A. E. Korneichuk, specializing in cultural and educational work. Mykhailo, or ‘Mikl’, is a Director and author of scripts for mass city holidays, cultural events of production teams, thematic programs and concerts, theatrical holidays “City Day”, “Humorina”, “Theater Day”, “Odessa Liberation Day”, “Victory Day”. Author of the songs “About Humorin”, “Family Talk”, “Odessa Cathedral”, “Odessa-Paris”, “Hello, my Odessa”, “Odessa Pictures”, “And in old age and in joy”, which were included in the repertoire of pop performers . Mikl’s  children’s musicals were staged at the Odessa Regional Puppet Theatre, the Odessa Theater of Musical Comedy named after M. Vodyanoy, on the stage of the concert and exhibition hall of the Odessa Marine Station. Since 2009, Mikl has been running the theater studio “Odessa Yards” of the Charitable Foundation “Hesed Shaarei Zion”, continuing the work of his father Semyon Samoylovich Krupnik, People’s Artist of Ukraine. He has been described as ‘the creator of a new style of poetic dialogue in the play’.

 

You can read more in this Q&A with Mykhailo.

 

THE RESIDENCY

While in residency with MWT, Mykhailo presented three sessions for our playwrights.

Session 1 – 7th November 2022
The Playwright Speaks – In conversation with Mykhailo Krupnik
A discussion of Mykhailo’s career to date, the role of theatre in Odessan society, writing process and thematic inspirations

Session 2 – 22nd November
Hero, Antagonist, Conflict, Resolution
An exploration of the dynamics of structure in the play, followed by a creative activity in which participants developed a scene for a children’s performance

Session 3 – 29th November
‘Melbourne Cat. Secret Weapon’ – Script Reading
A reading with actors of early scenes from Mykhailo’s new play ‘Melbourne Cat. Secret Weapon’, which he commenced during his residency.
Watch the Recording of this session.

 

 

****************

On Tuesday 11th May @ 7pm, MWT presented a Rehearsed Reading of the full-length version of
MELBOURNE CAT. SECRET WEAPON.

If you missed this wonderful evening of new theatre,
the full recording may be viewed at:
https://vimeo.com/816716460

 

 

***************************************************************************
Melbourne Writers’ Theatre wishes to sincerely thank the Melbourne City of Literature,
the Odessa City of Literature and Mykhailo Krupnik himself for this 2022 residency.