February 18, 2009

Aotearoa Playwrights Conference
NEW WRITING / NEW PRODUCING
Forum 

March 6-8 2009 

Registrations to close 5pm Friday February 20 

The NEW WRITING / NEW PRODUCING forum, March 6-8, in Auckland at The Edge, is an event with addresses, discussions, plays and parties that gets playwrights, playmakers, producers and presenters working together and sharing ideas.

Playmarket welcomes registration from anyone interested in the creation and production of new New Zealand work anywhere in the world, be they a playwright, theatre practitioner or supporter.
Please click here to see the full programme.
Please click here for a registration form to copy and paste into your email. Registration is due by 5pm Friday February 20.

NEW WRITING / NEW PRODUCING will consider the ways New Zealand plays are being developed, produced and toured, says Playmarket Director Mark Amery, and how we can build on our strengths.

Scheduled to coincide with the opening weekend of the Auckland Festival’s bevy of exciting new NZ work and the PAANZ Performing Arts Market, as well as the inaugural Auckland Fringe, this two-day forum forms the second part of Playmarket’s Aotearoa Playwrights Conference 08-09 development platform, funded by Creative New Zealand.

There is also a parallel programme for choreographers, hosted by DANZ.

Two new New Zealand plays will be showcased, selected from those submitted for this year’s Playmarket new New Zealand Play Award.

• The winner, Pip Hall’s The 53rd Victim, is the true story of a new Zealand woman involved in the aftermath of the 2002 London Bombings. An in-depth look at a complex character, where the lines between a person’s own fact and fiction are blurred. Directed by Gary Henderson.
• And Kate Morris’ Sketch. Helped by a spirited artist, a terminally ill woman puts her last days on display in an art gallery. Directed by Stephen Bain.

New Zealand playwrights, producers and playmakers will present and lead discussions, including looks at development processes, literary management, national and Auckland regional infrastructure, self-producing, and the international stage. Most importantly the weekend will be full of opportunities to meet each other over a drink or an issue of shared concern.

Confirmed participants are Lauren Hughes, Shona McCullagh, Dave Armstrong, Gary Henderson, Helen Moulder, John McDavitt, Roger Hall, Stuart Hoar, Lester McGrath, Stuart Hoar, Lester McGrath, Dayle Hunt (Red Theatre, Chch), Tim Bray, Susan Jordan (DANZ), Makerita Urale, Ken Duncum, Carla Van Zon, Hone Kouka, Trevor Schimdt (Canada), Michelanne Forster, Elizabeth Oconnor, Susan Wilson, Paul Rothwell, Alison Quigan, Clare Adams (Wow! Productions), Andrew Malmo (Strata Productions) Graeme Bennett, Catherine Nola (Rebel Alliance) Adam McCauley (Radio New Zealand Drama) Eleanor Bishop and Angela Green (Wellington Producers Room), Pip Hall, Craig Cooper (The Edge), Guy Boyce (Christchurch Arts Festival), Kirk Torrance, David Malacari (Auckland Festival), Steph Walker (BATS) and Dean Parker

For all those registered we offer industry priced tickets to select festival shows. So make sure you register by 5pm Friday February 20.