By Peter Kemp
ARK Theatre is proud to announce the return of ARKfest Short Play Festival. It is a unique festival that brings together writers from all over Australia. Victorian and interstate theatre groups and ensembles perform these original plays of 10 minutes duration. All submissions are accepted for judging regardless of the writer’s experience or age and will be assessed anonymously by a selection panel.
Play submissions opened between 1 and 15 September. Plays had to be no longer than 10 minutes in length (maximum of 1500 words), with a maximum of eight cast members and minimal props and set. This is a ‘black box’ event. A maximum of five plays could be submitted per writer. All scripts had to be original and unperformed (Crash Test Drama & Workshops excepted) at time of submission.
Up to 30 ten-minute plays will be chosen by theatre groups and ensembles from a shortlist of approximately 60, to be performed over the weekend in several heats. Two plays from every heat will move through to the finals, as decided by the adjudicators. There will be presentations and awards for Best Script, Best Production, People’s Choice for Best Production, Best Director, Best Actor and Best Actress.
Theatre Group/Ensembles Registrations open 1 October – 10 November at a cost of $40 for a single play or $60 if you wish to perform two.
IMPORTANT DATES & INFORMATION
Writer submissions: 1-15 September 2021 (may be part of an ITC registration)
Theatre Group/Ensemble Registrations: 1 October – 10 November 2021
Script Shortlist: Early November 2021
Theatre Group/Ensemble Play allocation: 11 November – 25 November 2021
Performance venue: Lilydale Heights College Performing Arts Centre, 17 Nelson Road Lilydale (enter via Gate 2)
Festival Date: 26 to 27 March 2022
Enquiries: Julie Cunningham arkfest1@gmail.com
Please note: Theatre groups and ensembles do not know what play they will be performing when they register. This adds to the excitement of the festival! This year, plays moving forward into the final are determined by the adjudicators only. People’s Choice for Best Production will be available in the finals.
