The Annual Albany Residency

Most writers long for the opportunity to work in isolation, uninterrupted by the disturbances of the modern world. During the warmer months Stages provides the opportunity for a WA playwright to live and work in glorious solitude at Albany’s heritage listed Vancouver Arts Centre.

The residency is for a period of 1 to 4 weeks, depending on the playwright’s wishes. It includes free accommodation overlooking the Bay at Mary Thompson House, next to the Vancouver Arts Centre, travel expenses, per diems and the opportunity to conduct a development project for Albany community members interested in playwrighting.

This community development project could be designed as a weekend workshop or weekly seminars/classes and would make the particular skills and experiences of the residential playwright available to the Albany community. It could be focussed on topics such as:

This residency may be postponed in 2010 to allow for greater funding in 2011. For further information about the Albany residency, contact the Stages Director.

Previous Residencies

John Aitken was granted the first annual Albany residency which took place in January 2006. During this period John achieved his objective of completing the first draft of his new stage play: Dangerous Music. As part of the residency John gave a two-day workshop on playwrighting at the Vancouver Arts Centre which covered topics including character development, plot construction, the Imaginary Body and the Centre (inspired by the work of Michael Chekhov), the dramatic impulse, the “beat” of a scene, shaping dialogue, the one-person play, radio drama and so on. The workshop was enthusiastically received by all who attended

On reviewing the residency experience John said,

“The residential wing of the centre is very conducive to writing, with sweeping views over the bay. I was largely left alone to complete my work but the staff were always extremely helpful. By removing myself from my accustomed city schedule I suddenly found I had a great deal of extra time to concentrate on the work in hand." In subsequent years the residency was enjoyed by Ingle Knight (06), Kate Rice (07) John Pratt (08) and Suzanne Ingelbrecht (2009). All writers worked on a particular new play, and reported back that the solitude and isolation were extremely useful in the development of their work.

Deckchair Residency 2009

Deckchair Theatre and STAGES WA invite expressions of interest for an opportunity for a playwright to receive free office space and mentoring during the writing process, within the surrounds of a professional theatre company. Deckchair Theatre’s core focus is on the development of innovative and original contemporary text-based theatre, that engages with our home state of Western Australia, tells stories about our society, our environment, our heritage and our future, and reflects the world we live in today.

The Residency is intended for a playwright who is interested in working with Deckchair Theatre on the development of a new work. The work could be at first draft stage, or even just a synopsis, but what is important is that the work engages both in terms of form and content of the work with the interests and artistic philosophy of the company.

You will receive free dramaturgical support from Artistic Director Chris Bendall on a regular basis (totaling 25 hours over six months). You will be provided with free working space within Deckchair’s offices at Victoria Hall, Fremantle. You will also be encouraged to apply to Stages WA for development funding to help facilitate a creative development workshop as the culmination of your residency.

Please note that there is no guarantee from Deckchair Theatre that the company will ultimately produce the work. Our commitment is to work with the writer to assist them in bringing the work to the strongest possible final draft stage.

How to Apply

Interested writers are encouraged to submit a one page letter outlining why the writer would benefit from the residency, a one-page synopsis of the play, a biography and a current draft of the work if applicable. If a current draft is not available, please submit a script (ideally previously produced) that will give a strong example of your previous work. The writer will be chosen based on the following key criteria: a) Potential of the submitted synopsis or script to make an original and exciting new work of theatre; (b) Suitability of the proposed work to Deckchair Theatre’s future program and; (c) Potential benefit to the author of the residency program. Please note that although there are significant in-kind benefits offered to the chosen writer, there is no opportunity for financial remuneration as yet within the Residency Program.

Deadline for submissions is Monday 20th July. Please send hard-copy of your application Chris Bendall, Artistic Director, Deckchair Theatre, PO Box 130, Fremantle WA 6959. Feel free to phone Chris at Deckchair (94304771 or Phil at Stages (92011168) to discuss this opportunity.