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KEEP UP TO DATE ON OUR NEXT ROUND OF SPARKS

Dive into the world of playwriting with Playlab Theatre & QPAC’s First Nations emerging writers’ program: Sparks.

Providing support under the guidance of experienced artists, Sparks provides a creative and imaginative space for First Nations creatives to expand their craft and explore the art of playwriting

Beginning February 2025, participants will begin a mentorship with nationally-recognised playwright, Kathryn Marquet and through a range of activities designed to stimulate ideas, introduce elements of craft, and provide strategies for undertaking a development process. Sparks will burn brightly to its conclusion with a public reading of an extract from each of the developing new works, featuring professional actors and directors.

2023 PARTICIPANTS
2025 PARTICIPANTS
2020/21 PARTICIPANTS
2019 PARTICIPANTS

Sparks will move through five phases: Tinder, Kindling, Propellant, Air and Spark. 

Phase 1 – Tinder (February 24 & 25) 

  • Across a two-day intensive workshop playwrights will come together in-person to share creative ideas, ground their craft and begin early-stage writing exercises. 

Phase 2 – Kindling (March 13 – 22) 

  • In a series of 6 masterclasses, taking place online every second Thursday evening, 5:45-7:30pm, playwrights will engage with the program facilitator and guest First Nation’s artists to explore each aspect of craft. 
  • At the conclusion of this phase playwrights will deliver a 250 word plot outline and 500 word world building outline. 

Phase 3 – Propellant (June 4-6) 

  • Across a three-day intensive playwrights will explore scene building, narrative structure, five event identification and beat sheets. 
  • At the conclusion of this phase playwrights will deliver a ten page script extract. 

Phase 4 – Air (July 2 – 31) 

  • In this phase playwrights will engage in a one-on-one online feedback session with the program facilitator to prepare their chosen script extract prior to the next phase. 
  • At the conclusion of this phase playwrights will deliver a final rehearsal draft. 

Phase 3 – Spark (August 4-8) 

  • In a weeklong intensive with directors, dramaturge, and actors, playwrights will engage in on-the-floor development and re-writing on the script. Before transitioning into full time rehearsals in preparation for a public showing on Friday August 8. 

Q. Why should I apply for Sparks? 

A. Sparks participants who have excelled in this program have gone on to professional commissioning opportunities through Playlab Theatre, with our productions of Rising, Face to Face and Eat Slay Zombie providing a clear pathway for emerging playwrights to the mainstage. Many Sparks plays have also gone on to be finalists of playwrighting awards and been published by Playlab Theatre including Capricorn and don’t ask what the bird look like. 

Q. Can I apply if I am not Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander? 

A. No. This program is specifically for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander community members. 

Q. Will there be cultural support in the program?

A. Yes! The ‘Sparks’ program is supported by QPAC First Nations Team, and Playlab Theatre’s Aunty-In-Residence: Aunty Roxanne McDonald. 

Q. Does it cost money to participate in Sparks? 

A. No! This development program is fully funded by Playlab Theatre and QPAC.

Q. What if I have special circumstances or accessibility requirements?

A. Please reach out to us at info@playlabtheatre.com.au before applying if you would like to chat about the ways we can best support you in this program.

Q. Where is this program held?

A. This program will be held in Brisbane.

Q. Can I apply if I am not from Brisbane?

A. To be eligible participants must be able to attend the program in-person. 

Aunty Roxanne McDonald is descended from the Mandandanjii, Wangan & Darambal tribes of Central Queensland. She has worked as an actor with leading Australian theatre companies for over 30 years in over 65 main-stage theatre productions. Her recent Stage, Film and TV Credits include: Hit Productions: The Sunshine Club currently touring the country. LaBoite Theatre: Away & Tiddas, Queensland Theatre Company: Our Town. Television: Queen of Oz Film: Australia Day. Awards: Lifetime Achievement Award – Actors Benevolent Fund (2022); Matilda Awards Special Commendation (2000). Roxanne has voice over, creative development & many arts related projects to her credit. She co-directed Face to Face for Playlab Theatre; Queensland Theatre’s Don’t Ask What The Bird Look Like & Belvoir St Theatre’s Tiddas (co-produced with LaBoite). Aunty Roxy was appointed Artistic Elder with Queensland Theatre in 2023.
Kathryn Marquet is an actor and a playwright. Her published/performed works include: The Secret Garden (QT Young Artist Ensemble/Dead Puppet Society); The Dead Devils of Cockle Creek (Playlab/La Boite); The Owl and the Pussycat (Little Match); Furious Creatures (QPDA Finalist/Playwriting Australia workshop participant); and Pale Blue Dot (La Boite). In 2017, Kathryn was Playwright In Residence at Playlab, and, in 2013, Kathryn held the position of Playwright in Residence at La Boite Theatre Company. Kathryn sat on the board of Associate Artists at Queensland Theatre from 2011 until 2013. Kathryn has recently completed her Masters of Philosophy in Playwriting from UQ.
 

Kathryn’s theatre performances include Magpie (Playlab),  A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Glass Menagerie, As You Like It, Ruben Guthrie and The White Earth (La Boite), Faustus (Bell Shakespeare/QT), The Crucible, Maxine Mellor’s Mystery Project, and 25 Down (Queensland Theatre), Bastard Territory (JUTE/Brown’s Mart), Prehistoric and After All This (Elbow Room), April’s Fool (Empire), Tender (…and Moor), Risk (Umber), Catholic School Girls (ThreeSisters/Mad Cat), Brontë (ThreeSisters), Cinderella, Jane Eyre, Little Women, Two Weeks with the Queen, Into the Woods, and The Taming of the Shrew (HRTC).

Her film and television credits include the feature film Don’t Tell (Tori Garrett), and series’ Secrets & Lies (Hoodlum/Network Ten), and Sisters of War (ABC). Kathryn was engaged in the Emerging Artist program for QT in 2009. She won the 2009 Matilda Award for Best Emerging Artist, was nominated for the 2010 Matilda for Best Supporting Actress and won Best Ensemble at the 2015 Melbourne Green Room Awards for Prehistoric. She is a graduate of the acting program at the University of Southern Queensland.