Published Tuesday, 05 August, 2008 at 03:11 PM
Premier
The Honourable Anna Bligh
YOUNG BRISBANE PLAYWRIGHT TAKES CENTRE STAGE IN DRAMA AWARD
A 26-year old Queenslander, Richard Jordan has won the 2008-09 Queensland Premier’s Drama Award for his heartfelt comedy 25 Down.
Premier Anna Bligh made the announcement today, with Mr Jordan’s play being chosen out of a field of 68 entries from across the State.
“25 Down is set locally in Brisbane and is a heartfelt comedy about truth, lies and stereotypes,” Ms Bligh said.
“As the winner of the Premier of Queensland’s Drama Award, Richard gains the opportunity to have his work produced by the Queensland Theatre Company as part of its 2009 season.
“And fittingly, next year will be Queensland’s 150th birthday, so Richard’s home-grown talent will be showcased for audiences in this great year of celebration,” she said.
Ms Bligh said Richard was a rising star in the theatre world, having recently completed an exclusive course for emerging playwrights at the Royal Court Theatre, London.
“Richard has had short plays produced in London at The Dogstar Theatre and the Oval Theatre and his first full-length play like, dead premiered at the Judith Wright Centre in April 2005.
“In July of that year he was selected to attend the World Interplay festival of young playwrights in Townsville.
“His short play Into the Nile was short-listed for Queensland Theatre Company’s George Landen Dann Award in 2002.
“It is clear Richard has a wonderful career ahead of him and I’m sure audiences are very much looking forward to experiencing 25 Down,” she said.
Ms Bligh said the Awards, which were established in 2001, focus on the development process of creative works, not simply the final product.
The judges decision on the winning script came after a long creative process, including three professional development workshops, three intensive dramaturgy sessions with Queensland Theatre Company, and rehearsed play readings of the three scripts by professional actors in front of an audience.
The judging panel included Queensland Theatre Company Artistic Director Michael Gow, Griffith University Associate Professor Penny Bundy, writer and dramaturg Peter Matheson, PlayWriting Australia Artistic Director Chris Mead, and Queensland Government representative Karyn Brinkley.
Administered by Queensland Theatre Company on behalf of the Queensland Government, the Award is supported by $115,000 a year in State funding. Along with the Queensland Government’s support, the Award is sponsored by Brookfield Multiplex and Griffith University.
The Queensland Premier’s Drama Award was established in 2001 to develop a series of plays written by Queenslanders and since its inception has led to the development of 15 plays, employing more than 100 actors, writers and directors, and generated audiences of more than 12,000 to new Queensland work.
Tuesday, 5 August 2008
Media: 3224 4500 (Premier’s office) or 3010 7611 (Qld Theatre Company)
Premier Anna Bligh made the announcement today, with Mr Jordan’s play being chosen out of a field of 68 entries from across the State.
“25 Down is set locally in Brisbane and is a heartfelt comedy about truth, lies and stereotypes,” Ms Bligh said.
“As the winner of the Premier of Queensland’s Drama Award, Richard gains the opportunity to have his work produced by the Queensland Theatre Company as part of its 2009 season.
“And fittingly, next year will be Queensland’s 150th birthday, so Richard’s home-grown talent will be showcased for audiences in this great year of celebration,” she said.
Ms Bligh said Richard was a rising star in the theatre world, having recently completed an exclusive course for emerging playwrights at the Royal Court Theatre, London.
“Richard has had short plays produced in London at The Dogstar Theatre and the Oval Theatre and his first full-length play like, dead premiered at the Judith Wright Centre in April 2005.
“In July of that year he was selected to attend the World Interplay festival of young playwrights in Townsville.
“His short play Into the Nile was short-listed for Queensland Theatre Company’s George Landen Dann Award in 2002.
“It is clear Richard has a wonderful career ahead of him and I’m sure audiences are very much looking forward to experiencing 25 Down,” she said.
Ms Bligh said the Awards, which were established in 2001, focus on the development process of creative works, not simply the final product.
The judges decision on the winning script came after a long creative process, including three professional development workshops, three intensive dramaturgy sessions with Queensland Theatre Company, and rehearsed play readings of the three scripts by professional actors in front of an audience.
The judging panel included Queensland Theatre Company Artistic Director Michael Gow, Griffith University Associate Professor Penny Bundy, writer and dramaturg Peter Matheson, PlayWriting Australia Artistic Director Chris Mead, and Queensland Government representative Karyn Brinkley.
Administered by Queensland Theatre Company on behalf of the Queensland Government, the Award is supported by $115,000 a year in State funding. Along with the Queensland Government’s support, the Award is sponsored by Brookfield Multiplex and Griffith University.
The Queensland Premier’s Drama Award was established in 2001 to develop a series of plays written by Queenslanders and since its inception has led to the development of 15 plays, employing more than 100 actors, writers and directors, and generated audiences of more than 12,000 to new Queensland work.
Tuesday, 5 August 2008
Media: 3224 4500 (Premier’s office) or 3010 7611 (Qld Theatre Company)