Award aspires to grow writer talent

A new opportunity for aspiring playwrights launches next week, at the inaugural Script Writer’s Award opening on Thursday.

A collaboration between three local artists, the award offers a cash prize, public read-through at the 2018 Busselton Fringe Festival and the chance for the original script to be performed by a local theatre-group.

Local author and playwright Trisha Lee said the award’s purpose was to encourage people to write.

“There’s a wealth of talent down here, and while screen production is growing, we felt the need to deliver more opportunities for live theatre,” she said.

“If we want original theatre down here, we have to work from the ground up.”

Youth submissions for the award should be 15 minutes in length, with a $350 cash prize up for grabs, while adult submissions should be 30 minutes long, with a $650 prize for the winner.

Script entries must include reference to local culture, according to Bare Naked season director John Lee.

“We want to see work that’s really representative of the culture down here, whether that’s surf culture, skate culture, indigenous culture — it’s just a matter of making it local,” he said.

The closing date for entries is January 23, with winners announced at Busselton Fringe Festival in February.

The award will be launched at 6pm next Thursday at the Acting Up studio. Those interested should RSVP through the Acting Up website.