WOMEN OF THE
RIVERINA: call for writers
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Do you want to take
part in a cross-cultural script written by First Nations and diverse women in
the Riverina? The stories will unveil heartfelt narratives, probing our
dramatic past and painting a vision for our collective future. It showcases the
strengths of the region's women, their survival and resilience, and explores
both their past and hopes for the future.
A powerful multi-arts
theatrical production with projection and commissioned music is toured by
professional actors and musicians to Sydney, The Riverina and Melbourne.
WHO IS LEADING THE PROJECT?
The project is led by a collaborative group with three
strong years of partnership in the Riverina, managed by Voices of Women (VOW).
The key group is Aunty Cheryl Penrith OAM, Curious Rabbit Director Vicki
Burkinshaw and Voices of Women Artistic Director Lliane Clarke.
They are supported by Multicultural Council of Wagga Wagga,
writer/performer and refugee advocate Haya Arzidin, Eastern Riverina Arts,
Oddball Theatre Director Saasha McMillan, Wagga Wagga Art Gallery, Booranga
Writers' Centre, Eastern Riverina Arts and First Nations Australia Writers Network. New
relationships will also be built, while existing ones strengthened and we
welcome all collaborations.
WHAT IS THE CALL OUT?
We are inviting women to come forward with monologues =
short stories told from the heart - heartfelt personal moments, tragic
memories, truth telling, comedy and connection of all who identify as women who
come from or live in this region in 2024.
We are keen to hear from First Nations women, farming women
living on the land, refugees and migrants, young women, families, urban and
rural women, women from the queer community, everyone is welcome.
We are happy to read what you have already written. Also, we
will be holding a series of workshops and one-on one mentoring sessions to
support you and inspire you to craft your story.
The stories will then be selected by an editorial panel and
performed by actors, with music written especially for them. A small selection
of stories will be filmed.
The stories are presented in Sydney at the KXT Broadway
Theatre in November 2024 and at Wagga Wagga Art Gallery, and on tour to
Melbourne.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
●
The stories have to be spoken by a woman and written by
a woman, including trans women and non-binary writers.
●
They have to be short narrative monologues, between
800-1000 words.
●
They must be written in the first person - EG - I am
the river... I am driving along and...
●
The writer must have and needs to include a connection
to the region.
●
We are looking for stories that are strong, brave,
poetic, funny, moving, uplifting.
●
Writers are paid a small honorarium fee if their story
is selected for this program.
Have a look at this short trailer for Entanglement for some inspiration:
We will be hosting a writing workshop in June/July to
welcome and support all women writers who are working on stories/want to work
on a new one/want to read their stories.
The deadline for the submission of stories is 30
August 2024.
HOW DO I ENTER
Email your Expression of Interest to monologue@optusnet.com.au
and you will be sent the application form to complete and return by 30 August
2024. Feel free to ask any questions and
reach out on this email.
