Dilemma the theme for playwriting comp

THE thorny subject of dilemma is the theme for the new 12 Minute Play Writing competition being hosted by Creswick Theatre Company.

Writers who enter the competition will need to weave in some aspect of cards as well, be they playing cards, birthday cards, tarot cards or any others.

The competition is receiving submissions up until 27 September and is part of the theatre company’s 12 Minute Play Festival, with stage dates set for April and May next year.

To help those planning to enter an original script, established writer James Freemantle, known for his work in film, TV and print, is leading a workshop at the Creswick Courthouse Theatre this Saturday 26 July from 1pm to 5pm.

Freemantle, who lives at Dean, directed two plays in the inaugural Creswick 12 Minute Play Festival that took place in May this year, and works as an executive coach and leadership facilitator.

“I really wanted to bring community together to tell their own stories,” said CTC member and director of the festival, Kari O’Gorman.

“We got 30 entries for our first festival last year and selected 12 of them to be staged, and also collected into a book, and we’re looking for a good result again this time. We’re looking for some more diversity of voices this year as well.”

Ms O’Gorman also devised the theme of dilemma, with a mind to helping playwrights produce winning results.

“A good story usually has a dilemma or a problem to solve,” she said.

CTC president Chantel Leaver said the first fest “was huge, a full house.”

“It’s about now that we would like people to be thinking about sending in their plays and we also want to put calls out to people that are interested in sound and lighting and directing and acting,” Ms Leaver said.

“With our first 12 min festival we had a massive range of people, from really young right through to experienced playwrights, actors and directors. It was a really nice coming together of community.

“For young people starting out, it’s such a great space to start. Everyone there with CTC is nurturing.”

More details are available through the CTC website.