We are one of the 30 performing arts organisations and 25 theatre organisations taking part in Playwriting Australia‘s livestreamed event, Dear Australia.

The playwrights we have nominated to write a short monologue addressed to the nation of Australia are James Taylor and Barbara Hostalek (writer of our 2019 production of Cracked).

The actors filmed reading James’ and Barbara’s monologues respectively are Kyle Morrison (our former artistic director) and Rayma Morrison (who is also our current Office Manager).

About Dear Australia

50 fearless and inspiring short works from some of Australia’s best playwrights will be simultaneously livestreamed by more than 30 performing arts organisations from across Australia, 2-5 July.

At a time when a pandemic has forced reflection and change, 50 playwrights have responded to questions that get to the heart of where our nation is and where it might go.

These stories are postcards addressed to Dear Australia.

Playwriting Australia (PWA) invited 25 theatre organisations from across Australia to each nominate two playwrights. PWA then commissioned these 50 playwrights to each write a short monologue, which were then filmed by 50 extraordinary actors, many in their own homes.

Grouped over three nights, these 50 postcards are a unique account of these times and a striking moment of national celebration and reflection.

A Dear Australia panel discussion will be broadcast from the Joan Sutherland Theatre by the Sydney Opera House on Saturday 4 July at 7pm AEST as part of its Digital Season.

The scripts of the Dear Australia monologues will published by Australian Plays and will be available Monday 6 July on their website.

Update: The monologues are now available. Click here to access them.

Dear Australia livestreams over three nights on multiple Facebook pages (including our Facebook page) and on Playwriting Australia’s YouTube channel.

Dates and times:

Thurs 2 July and Fri 3 July
7pm (NSW, Vic, Qld, Tas, ACT)
6.30pm (SA, NT)
5pm (WA)

Sun 5 July
5pm (NSW, Vic, Qld, Tas, ACT)
4.30pm (SA, NT)
3pm (WA)

James Taylor’s monologue, read by Kyle Morrison, will be featured on Friday 3 July.
Barbara Hostalek’s monologue, read by Rayma Morrison, will be featured on Sunday 5 July.

Presented in partnership with Adelaide Festival Centre, Arts Centre Melbourne, Canberra Theatre Centre, Darwin Entertainment Centre, QPAC, and Sydney Opera House.

Additional broadcast, captioning and marketing support by Arts Centre Melbourne.

(Dear Australia is inspired by a project of the Abbey Theatre, Ireland)

More information

For more information including the entire line up of playwrights, actors and organisations taking part, visit:

• Playwriting Australia’s Facebook event
• Playwriting Australia’s website
• Arts Centre Melbourne’s website

Watch

Watch all three parts of the livestreamed event until 1 September using the following links.

Yirra Yaakin's Facebook playlist
Playwriting Australia’s YouTube playlist

What have people been writing about Dear Australia?

Dear Australia: 50 playwrights explore our new normal
Article by Richard Watts, ArtsHub

100 playwrights and actors join forces in new theatre project challenging Australian identity
Article by Stephanie Convery, The Guardian

Dear Australia: new faces behind the curtain mean new stories being heard
Article by Carissa Lee, The Guardian

Over three nights, Australia’s playwrights have shown us a way towards the light
Article by Cassie Tongue, The Guardian

Review: Dear Australia – Postcards to the Nation
Article by Jennifer Barry, ArtsHub