2008 marks the end of Short + Sweet at Arts Centre Melbourne. In 2009 Arts Centre Melbourne will continue to support the development of a wide range of artists through its multi-layered Creative Development programs, such as FULL TILT. Details of new performance initiatives for performers, designers, directors, writers and ensembles will be announced in coming months.
For information on the nationwide future opportunities for Short + Sweet visit the Short + Sweet Sydney website
What is Short + Sweet?
Short + Sweet is a competition, based on 10-minute works of theatre, that encourages the participation of writers, directors and performers from the community to explore their creativity in a supportive professional environment.
Short + Sweet starts with a call for scripts from writers, followed by auditions with actors and interviews with director, and culminates in performances of the chosen works each year. Short + Sweet has helped launch and further the careers of countless theatre professionals - writers, directors, actors, designers and technicians - and lifted the profile of many independent theatre ensembles.
Aims
- To showcase the work of aspiring writers, actors and directors and to give new talent an opportunity to surface with an emphasis on Australian artists.
- To encourage excellence in the presentation of short scripts that can stimulate, move and entertain audiences
- To make theatre more accessible and affordable to a wider audience.
- To inspire theatre practitioners of the future to better their artistic practice
- To encourage active participation in theatre making by aspiring writers, directors and performers in a supportive environment thus foster growth in the theatre.
A little history...
2008
The 2008 Short + Sweet Melbourne competition ran from 3 - 20 December (Season Guide).
In week one, ten of the top selected works were presented nightly with ten more 'Wildcard' works presented in one performance on the Saturday. The following week saw ten of the top selected works from Independent Theatre Ensembles hit the stage. The final week was a showcase of ten more top selected works and ten more 'Wildcard' works entries. The winners were announced at the conclusion of the final performance.
For media enquiries about Short + Sweet Melbourne 2008 contact Mary Thompson at Tatia Sloley Publicity on (03)9419 8837 or by mobile: 0415 745 910
In 2008 we decided to keep the focus on our own shores and only included Australian entries in 2008. Another exciting development was a week dedicated to Independent Theatre Ensembles. One of the Independent Ensembles was the lucky winner of a week of full development supported by the FULL TILT program to grow their production into a full length show!
2007
The 2007 competition opened in April and more than 1100 scripts were received from Australia and around the world. After the rigorous short-listing process, the final 60 works were performed in the competition held at Arts Centre Melbourne, Fairfax Studio from 5 - 22 December 2007.
The predominent themes made for a veritable menagerie, with an all-sort mix of goldfish, skewered pigs, ducks, leeches, lobsters and even the neighbour of the beast...
In response to feedback from the previous year there was no separate Gala Final in 2007 as participants felt that perhaps too much emphasis was placed on the Gala Final to the detriment of the rest of the season. Instead, Judges attended all programs of both Top 30 and Wildcards and the winners were announced following the evening performances on 22 December
2006
In 2006 we received 815 entries for the competition. There were a wide variety of themes for the plays, but most notable were scripts about relationships, sex and Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.
Due to the sell-out success of the 2005 competition, the 2006 competition moved to a much bigger venue at Arts Centre Melbourne - the Fairfax Studio. The season was a huge success with strong attendances for all show. A new development for Short + Sweet was filming of the Gala Final by the Movie Network. The 10 Gala Final works were screened on the Movie Network in March 2006
2005
In 2005 Melbourne got in on the act for the first time with Short + Sweet being produced and presented by Arts Centre Melbourne. Over 800 scripts were received for the competition and the selected works for the competition in November/December 2005 were a huge success performing to sell-out audiences.
Short +Sweet Sydney
Short + Sweet has been staged in Sydney by Newtown Theatre since 2001. Over the past six years, the event has grown enormously in popularity by critics, participants and audiences alike.Short + Sweet™ was conceived by Mark Cleary, developed by Alex Broun and first produced at Newtown Theatre, Sydney.
