Monday 2 September 2019 5:12pm
Students rehearse a scene for the UNESCO Cities of Literature Short Play Festival.
The stage is almost set for the UNESCO Cities of Literature Short Play Festival, which will be held at the University of Otago, Dunedin, from 12 to 20 September.
The festival will feature international and local keynote speakers, and performances of scripts from as far afield as Baghdad, Heidelberg, Iowa City, Melbourne, Seattle and Edinburgh.
Visiting actors will be joined by New Zealand-based thespians, and Otago students, to present twenty eight 20-minute plays, which will all be open to the public.
The plays’ subject matter ranges from a Jacobean farce to a decidedly comic murder mystery, to works which deal with more serious issues such as the intersection of technology and romantic love, self-harm, familial dysfunction, and rising sea levels.
In addition to a full schedule of weekend and evening performances, rehearsed readings and a variety of workshops, participants will attend a series of forums on aspects of 21st century dramaturgy and playwriting.
The festival forms part of the Otago Theatre Studies students’ assessment and, with the guidance of theatre professionals, they have directed and produced work, and provided much of the logistical support for the programme.
Inspired by a similar event in Heidelberg in 2016, the festival is a partnership between at the University of Otago’s Theatre Studies programme and Dunedin UNESCO City of Literature, and is part of the University’s 150th Anniversary Celebrations.
Professor Stuart Young
Otago Theatre Studies programme Head Professor Stuart Young says the festival underscores Dunedin’s status as a cultural hub.
“Dunedin has a long and strong theatre tradition, and we are proud that Theatre Studies at Otago has both benefitted from, and made an enormous contribution, to this.
“The festival is a way of not only celebrating partnerships, such as our links with all UNESCO Cities of Literature, but providing an opportunity for a truly unique, shared learning experience. We’ve no doubt our students will benefit greatly from the experience, as will the visiting theatre professionals, and the public.”
In addition to attracting scripts and theatre troupes from overseas, festival organisers are thrilled international keynote guests Tanya Palmer and Dr Fiona Graham will join Wellington-based playwright and former Burns Fellow Victor Rodger as keynote guests.
Tanya Palmer
Tanya has commissioned and developed more than 150 new plays, and is the Producer/Director of New Play Development at Goodman Theatre, Chicago’s oldest and largest non-profit / non-commercial theatre. Many of these plays have gone on to full productions at theatres around the US, received major awards, and entered into the contemporary canon.
Dr Fiona Graham
Fiona is a playwright and dramaturg, and Director of the MA in Dramaturgy and Writing for Performance at Goldsmiths College, University in London. Fiona lived and worked in Auckland 2004-2014, and her plays have been staged at Auckland’s Herald Theatre and by Massive Theatre Company. She has a diverse portfolio as a dramaturg, working on physical theatre, dance, ambulatory and site-specific performance projects. Fiona was also dramaturg for Hilary Halba and Stuart Young’s verbatim plays Hush and Be | Longing. She recently authored Performing Dramaturgy.
Victor Rodger
Victor is an acclaimed playwright, a former Burns Fellow and all-round enthusiast. His plays include Sons, My Name is Gary Cooper, Ranterstantrum and Black Faggot. He has held several writing residences and currently teaches scriptwriting at the International Institute of Modern Letters at Victoria University of Wellington.
UNESCO Cities of Literature Short Play Festival
Date: Thursday 12 to Friday 20 September
Venue: Allen Hall Theatre, Leith Walk, University of Otago
Email: UNESCOPlayfest@otago.ac.nz
Web: The 2019 UNESCO Cities of Literature Short Play Festival