Strap yourself in, in a tight twenty-four hours, six playwrights join forces with six directors to create six brand new plays especially for young actors in a theatre event unlike any other in Perth.
WA Youth Theatre Company’s (WAYTCo) Act-Belong Commit 24 Hour Play Generator is a fast-paced creative incubator in which some of WA’s best theatre makers are on the clock to produce and present brand-new theatre works.
On the evening of Friday 16 November six writers will meet, discuss characters, and spend the night each writing a new play of about 10-minutes length.
Then on Saturday morning at 7am, they’ll be joined by six young directors, six young assistant directors, and diverse cast of more than 30 WAYTCo members who will learn, rehease and stage these new works.
That evening at 7:30pm, they will take to the stage and perform the new works. Six world premieres of new works that didn’t exist 24 hours earlier.
WAYTCo Executive Producer James Berlyn said the event was a great learning experience for the young actors.
“This event is a rollercoaster for all those participants bold enough to take it on. The highly condensed time frame forces efficient collaboration and clear decision making.
“It’s stressful and wildly creative but only for a short time. It’s crazy; time flies when you have an audience waiting,” he said.
This year, with an all-female team of writers and directors, WAYTCo is supporting established and emerging women in their professional pathways in the theatre industry.
Established directors Frances Barbe and Emily McLean, and celebrated playwright Hellie Turner will be joined by young and emerging theatre talent, with the aim of providing a supportive environment in which young professionals can build their experience and reputation.
Among the writing cohort will be Grace Chow, Andrea Fernandez, Frieda Lee, Liz Newell and Alicia Osyka. While the directors on the project include Samantha Chester, Amy Mathews, Izzy McDonald and Tess Metcalf.
James Berlyn said the company was excited that this year’s program would be written and directed by women.
“WA Youth Theatre Company is proud to support and celebrate the incredible depth of existing and emerging talent in our community. This year we are delighted to present this program of short plays written and directed by women.”
WAYTCo is the peak pre-professional theatre arts company for Western Australians 13 – 26 years old, and offers
inclusive and high-quality professional experiences to develop theatre, performance, and life skills for youth. The Act- Belong-Commit 24 Hour Play Generator is held annually by WAYTCo.
Get tickets to the final performance now.
OIP Staff
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