Page 93 - Tropic Magazine Issue 19

TROPIC • ARTS

Write stuff

STAGE STORIES
A unique program designed
to take aspiring writers from
idea to final script is on offer
at JUTE Theatre Company.

Stories are the stuff that bind us.
Stories are part of our DNA. And
stories are at the heart of everything
JUTE Theatre Company does. JUTE
exists to share great stories. Local,
cultural, personal stories. That’s why
the Cairns-based organisation’s highly Tropic: Tell us about what’s involved in to be relevant to writers who are
regarded Write Sparks program for the Write Sparks program. interested in writing for performance
emerging scriptwriters is so vital. Kathryn: Write Sparks participants but is equally useful for understanding
Not only to JUTE’s continued success, will be introduced to writing elements the underpinning principles of writing
but also for the well-being of our such as narrative, character, theme novels, short stories and screenwriting.
community at large. and structure. Exercises will be offered This is a beginners-intermediate
Delivered by playwright, actor, to help writers sift through their ideas, program. No prior experience is
dramaturg and JUTE co-founder cherry-pick the very best narrative, necessary, and the only pre-requisite
Kathryn Ash, Write Sparks is a explore the details of character and is a burning desire to tell a story.
program designed to give anyone with theme that will make that narrative The workshops will also give more
a story to tell a good place to start. intermediate writers an opportunity
Importantly, it’s also designed to help to build their skills and the strength of
the storyteller see it through to the their work. There is no upper age limit,
end. Tropic sits down with Kathryn but we do like the participants to be at
to find out more about Write Sparks, least 16 years of age.
what it means for aspiring writers and
why it’s an important contributor to Why is a program like Write Sparks
our community. important to community and culture?
Stories are about all our shared
human thoughts, dreams and actions.
WRITE UP A STORM AT They help us define and redefine
PLAYFEST who we are, in all our diversity and
commonality, and they also often
JUTE will stage the inaugural serve to challenge who we are. Stories
Queensland Winter PlayFest in Kathryn Ash create a kind of reference library of
August 2020, and they want to ideas, emotions and experiences for an
host as many new regional writers individual or a community to access.
for performance from across the leap from the page, and discover the They help all of us deal with change
region as possible. All Write Sparks most useful story structure to engage as much as help us take stock of the
participants are eligible to submit their audience from start to finish. The past. So often I hear people say they
their scripts to be read at the workshops are fun, friendly and safe have a story that is important to them,
or to their family, or a sense that it’s
spaces where the writers will meet
Playfest, including Write Sparks other writers who will become their important to the public that a certain
2019 writers. It’s an incredible creative cohort! story be known, but many of them
opportunity to have your work read don’t know where to start with the
in front of an audience of your What type of students participate in telling of that story. Write Sparks is
peers and key industry leaders, the program? that place to start.
and to have constructive feedback. Write Sparks was developed as a
Register for Write Sparks 2019 now program to help new playwrights MORE ABOUT WRITE SPARKS:
to be part of this special event. develop scripts, and the workshop jute.com.au
material has been deliberately designed

93 • tropicnow.com.au