24 HOUR THEATRE ILLAWARRA 2022
Saturday 6^th August
at the Bridge Street Theatre
Located next to Coniston Train Station

Tickets: $25/$20

BOOK NOW

CAST ANNOUNCEMENT

The writers are in, the captains are announced, now meet the bravest cast of actors in the Illawarra this year!

There is no greater challenge than to learn lines and interpret a character in only 7 before performing to a likely full house at the Bridge Street Theatre Coniston.

As always, none of our artists know who they will be working with until 24 Hours Prior to the performance, nor do they know which of our seven writers they have been allocated. But all will be revealed this FRIDAY NIGHT when our 24 Hour Theatre Illawarra gets underway.

Be sure to book tickets early as this is a one night only event, there are limited tickets available.

2022 WRITERS:

Tom Peach
David Rienits
Alex Cuff
Sarah Hurnall
Tegan Ware
Riley Jones
Kelly-Maree Michael

2022 CAPTAINS:

Cathy Bates
Bradley Ward
Sophie Baylis
Dylan Horvat
Julian Levanic
Gabriela Gonzalez
Jordan Cunningham

CAST:

Alex Groombridge
Amy Mortell
Andrew Gobran
Ashleigh Magoffin
Billie Prescott
Clara Saddi
David Attrill
Ella Everett
Jarrod Sleiman
Jen Guerrieri-Cortesi
Lisa Omodei
Ruby Ballantyne
Sienna Karunarathne
Steph McAulay
Tammy Kisela

Alex Groombridge

Alex has been acting since 2014, starting out in musicals. Through this, he soon discovered his love of plays and has performed in many roles including Pitt the Younger in Blackadder the Third, Bob in Blackadder Goes Fourth, Antonio in Twelfth Night and many more, including a large variety of roles in local, original works.

Alex is also no stranger to the short play format and enjoys participating in both 24 Hour Theatre and Short + Sweet almost every year, in both the Illawarra and Sydney.

He hopes to get back in touch with his musical roots in the future, get into voice acting and looks forward to the day he can build a robot strong enough to take down King Kong (that monkey’s had it too good for too long).

I do 24 hour theatre whenever I can. It’s a great way to challenge myself as an actor and work with both familiar and new faces.

Alex Groombridge

Amy Mortell

Amy has completed a drama subject in high school and NIDA bootcamp. She has performed in a number of plays with leading roles. She has had no experience in the last few years but is excited to participate in more theatre programs.

Since relocating from a rural town, I’m excited to get involved in the local arts and theatre events. I look forward to meeting new people and challenging myself.

Amy Mortell

Andrew Gobran

Andrew trained at Actors Centre Australia, this will be his second 24 hr theatre performance. Andrew has been performing on stage in the Illawarra since 2014 doing musicals such as Thoroughly Modern Millie, Adams Family and Hair, also performing in Plays such as Bengal Tiger in the Baghdad Zoo, Get Smart, Nellumbonesia and directed the Brendan Bate written Damien’s Wake.

When not on stage Andrew has also been working as an extra or featured extra, most recently you would have seen him on the Netflix series Pieces of Her in Episode 4, the PM’s Daughter on ABC Iview and the soon to be released Bali the movie coming soon to Stan. Andrew has done many other TV shows and Commercials.

Andrew’s dream role would be in one of the next Fast and Furious movies were he can mix his two passions of fast cars and acting and work with his bald headed peers of Vin Diesel and Dwayne The Rock Johnson

24 Hour Theatre is heaps of fun and such a great vibe!

Andrew Gobran

Ashleigh Magoffin

Although Ash is a newcomer to the Illawarra stage, Ashleigh has always been a keen community theatre actress from early age. From drama, comedy, Shakespeare and musicals she loves to do it all. Ash is very excited to tread the boards again post lockdown.

I’m here because I want to get connected with other performers and artists in the Illawarra while also improving and challenging my skills.

Ashleigh Magoffin

Billie Prescott

Billie is a year ten drama and art student at WHSPA. She is a 2022 Griffin Theatre Ambassador and a member of her school’s Improv Company. Billie landed her first professional voice-over job at 6 and has since voiced many ad campaigns. Her film animation debut came in 2019 when she voiced the roles of Ashima and Danika in Alice-Miranda’s Friends Forever and again in 2021, with A Royal Christmas Ball, both streaming on Stan.

In this, her fifth year, as a student of The Drama Studio at IPAC, Billie played the lead role in the National Theatre Connection Festival’s production of “Find a Partner”. Billie’s passion for drama and storytelling drives her desire to develop her craft and create new works in collaboration with other local talent.

I love pushing myself in my acting and rising to a creative challenge!

Billie Prescott

David Attrill

David’s main training was with the Q theatre in the early 1980s and much of his work was done at that time with the New Theatre. He has experienced most types of film, tv and theatre over the years including being a regular contributor to Short+Sweet Sydney.

I have done a similar task with film and I’m up for a new challenge to try it on in live theatre.

David Attrill

Ella Everett

Ella Everett mostly resides within the musical theatre community, after being a part of ‘Deja Vu’ directed by Alex Cuff, she fell in love with being a part of plays.

In November 2021, Ella played an ‘Alien Goat’ in a short play festival run by Rising Arts Productions (it’s a bit hard to explain that one), but since then has been working and showing customers the way of internet banking. Ella’s looking forward to potentially be apart of the theatre scene again and to get within the 24 hour theatre challenge and face a feat all actors know too well, a lack of sleep.

Some past theatre experience includes: ‘Bare: a pop rock opera’ Woods Ray Theatricals, ‘Les Miserables’ Woolmington Productions, ‘Be More Chill’ Woods Ray Theatricalz, and ‘Rock of Ages’ iYAP.

24 Hour Theatre has an amazing reputation. I have heard nothing but incredible things from all of my friends who have been a part of it and I love having this opportunity to be a part of it.

Ella Everett

Jarrod Sleiman

Jarrod has been in many local theatre shows such as 13: The Musical (as Archie), Cannibal the Musical (as Bell),  Red vs Blue (as Tucker), Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (as Henry Salt), Bonnie & Clyde the Musical (as the preacher), Peter Pan (as Lone Wolf & Cecco), Othello (as Adie), The Tempest (as Stefano), MacBeth (as MacDuff), Get Smart (as Garth & Fred) and has been a director and/or writer for other stage shows such as Saturday Night Fever, Bridgeworks (2017 & 2018), Short + Sweet Sydney 2018, Tales from the Wasteland, Verdict, People Die and Tales from the Metropolis, as well as starring in, directing, writing and filming various film projects as well as being a student of JMC Academy in 2017 – and done some improv comedy in Playmates 2016 and 2017.

24 Hour Theatre is my favourite theatre event of the year.

Jarrod Sleiman

Jen Guerrieri-Cortesi

Jen has been involved in theatre for most of her life. Starting out with community theatre in the Blue Mountains before starring in Sydney Interactive Theatres’ production of “The Messenger” from 2012-2015.

She has studied short courses at NIDA and was a regular for Crash Test Drama and Short & Sweet Sydney. Upon owing to Wollongong Jen become a founding member of The Improverts and Room for IMOROVment performing in Campbelltown, Wollongong, Sydney Fringe Festival, as well as being a Scared Scriptless and Cranston Cup winner.  She is a regular with Wollongong Comedy in Playmates. This is her 5th year of 24hr Theatre.

It’s always one of my favourite things to do on the theatre calendar. It’s fun and unpredictable and amazing to create quality theatre in a day.

Jen Guerrieri-Cortesi

Lisa Omodei

Lisa mostly does improvisation with Rising Arts Theatre, but when she’s not doing that, she acts a bit. Earlier this year she played a titular role in Albert & Jameson: A Play With Vampires, and in late October this year she will be playing Viola in Twelfth Night at the Phoenix Theatre.

I love to torture myself. I also think 24 Hour Theatre is a challenge that can have real-life application as a performance artist.

Lisa Omodei

Ruby Ballantyne

Ruby is a stage based actress, having performed in many musicals and plays, the most recent being ‘Scorched’ with director Emily Clockfire. She is doing a bachelor of theatre and performance at UOW (Second year), and is very passionate about her craft.

My stage manager from a previous show suggested I give this a go and it looked exciting, and here I am!

Ruby Ballantyne

Sienna Karunarathne

Sienna grew up in Australia, she is from a Sri Lankan background. Sienna has done acting training since she was 7 at multiple Drama studios, she is currently training at Drama Studio Australia (IPAC), and has been at IPAC for 4 years and counting.  Sienna has also done singing since she was 7 and has dance since she was 4.

I always love performing and acting, I love to try everything and take advantage of all opportunities no matter what it is.

Sienna Karunarathne

Steph McAulay

Steph has participated in the last two 24 Hour Theatre events, and now she’s back for round 3! Since we last saw her, Steph hasn’t done much on the acting front, instead shifting her focus to finishing her music degree (which also included a minor in theatre). Now she’s studying Early Childhood Education and using her performance passion to engage the tiny humans.

I really enjoyed the experience the last couple times, and I have been waiting to get back into it.

Steph McAulay

Tammy Kisela

Tammy attended the prestigious Wollongong High School of the Performing Arts for Drama, Trained with Actors Co, and has been in the Wollongongs Short Play Exhibition, performed in Alice Through the Looking Glass and is currently working on the play Windy Gully with The Phoenix Theatre Company.

I love to challenge myself and 24 Hour Theatre sounds like a lot of fun!

Tammy Kisela

24 HOUR THEATRE ILLAWARRA 2022
Saturday 6^th August
at the Bridge Street Theatre
Located next to Coniston Train Station

Tickets: $25/$20
BOOK NOW

https://www.trybooking.com/BZIMQ

24 HOUR THEATRE ILLAWARRA 2022

7:30pm | Saturday 6^th August

at the Bridge Street Theatre
Located next to Coniston Train Station
BLACK BOX PRODUCTIONS

Tickets: $25/$20
BOOK NOW

TEAM CAPTAINS ANNOUNCEMENT

From blank page to the stage, in just 24 hours.

After making the difficult decision to hold off productions of 24 Hour Theatre since the beginning of the pandemic, Black Box is firing up for a massive return of one of the Illawarra most anticipated annual events.

We are excited to announce our seven “team captains” – those actors who have been chosen to lead their fellow thespians through their sole rehearsal day – and step on stage that same night.

This year we have 34 artists taking on the challenge including our seven writers David, Tom, Alexander, Hayley, Sarah, Tegan, Riley, and Kelly-Maree.

As always, none of our artists know who they will be working with until 24 Hours Prior to the performance.

Be sure to book tickets early as this is a one night only event, there are limited tickets available.

2022 CAPTAINS:

Cathy Bates (Marrickville)
Bradley Ward (Wollongong)
Sophie Baylis (Wollongong)
Dylan Horvat (Shellharbour)
Julian Levanic (Leumeah)
Gabriela Gonzalez (North Wollongong)
Jordan Cunningham (Shellharbour)

CATHY BATES

Cathy began her community acting career at age 15 in musical theatre. As a contralto (which she’s heard described as ‘the least useful vocal range’) she rarely got any singing roles but got to learn how to harmonise with just about anything. She eventually found her way to non-musical theatre and has performed in lead and ensemble roles with Workshop Theatre, Dodo Express, Roo Theatre, the Phoenix Theatre and the New Theatre. In 2000 she started a 15-year theatre hiatus to sing professionally in duos and bands (so much for that least useful vocal range) but has since returned to her first love – where she is now occasionally allowed to sing onstage.

I’ve never done anything like this before and it looks like a lot of fun!

Cathy Bates

BRADLEY WARD

Bradley Ward graduated from the University of Wollongong in 2013 with a Bachelor of Performance (Acting) and has spent the almost ten years since pursuing unique and interesting performance opportunities. As a result, Bradley has performed in upwards of 30 scripted works, spanning the spectrum from classic plays to musicals to original works. Recently, you can find him performing in a series of improvised shows across Sydney and Wollongong, inventing entire plays on the spot.

24 Hour Theatre is one of the most adrenaline inducing theatrical events I have ever had the pleasure to be involved in. It’s pure and collaborative approach to creation inspired me at a time when I’d forgotten why I loved theatre, and I will always be grateful for that.

Bradley Ward

SOPHIE BAYLIS

Sophie is a theatre and acting enthusiast who fell in love with drama at secondary school. Although she graduated a while ago and has only recently rekindled her passion through a role in a dark family drama, she still finds herself coming alive when creating and performing a visual piece for others to enjoy. She adores dramas and comedies alike, and while she usually desires a pivotal, lead role, she loves all things theatre: from script, to stage, to set and costume creation. She is always excited to challenge herself, learn from others, and be inspired by talented creators and performers to expand her scope within the industry.

The concept of 24 Hour Theatre reminds me of drama class at secondary school. My classmates and I would be given a script and only a short amount of time to create a piece to perform to an audience. We’d work together, share ideas, laugh, support and motivate each other, take to the stage, and ultimately be proud of what we had produced and achieved. For me, there is no better way to make friends, and no adrenaline rush like it!

Sophie Baylis

DYLAN HORVAT

This will be Dylan’s 5th time performing in 24 Hour Theatre. He started acting in 2004 at age 11 and in his 18 years, he has starred in countless local theatre shows such as Noises Off, Get Smart, Heathers Blackadder Goes Forth and the main role of Max in Magnum Opus.

As well as experience in standup comedy and improv comedy, he’s also been on the prod/creative team/crew for shows such as Something Wicked, Side by Side, Peter Pan, Virus, Lost Along the Way, SignAL, Wild, Deja Vu, Tales from the Wasteland & Tales from the Metropolis.

24 Hour Theatre gives me a chance to be able to act in something original without a long rehearsal period. I love that us actors get to have a say in who we’re playing and what the play could be, and then just have faith in our writer to create something wonderful.

Dylan Horvat

JULIAN LEVANIC

Julian Levanic is a casual actor who has participated in many Illawara theatre events from: Short and Sweet to Playmates, and even our beloved 24-hour theatre. Although taking a short hiatus, Julian bounces back into the limelight seeking an opportunity to play side characters from a range of comedic and serious roles.

It is fun and exciting! A Great challenge with great result. Glad to be back.

Julian Levanic

GABRIEL GONZALEZ

Gabriela is studying a Bachelor of Creative Arts (Theatre)/Bachelor of Communication and Media (Global Screen Media) at UOW. She has taken the stage in musicals such as Mrs Harcourt in ‘Anything Goes’, Sister Sophia in ‘Sound of Music’ and Cha Cha in ‘Grease’, and has also acted in the University Theatre Production ‘The Dazzling Grey Area’, Waitress in ‘Spell it Out’ and Hannah in ‘The Fortune Teller’.

It’s been too long since I last hit the stage, and even longer since I’ve done 24-hour theatre. I wanna challenge myself and see if my new experiences can be seen in my acting skills and abilities.

Gabriel Gonzalez

JORDAN CUNNINGHAM

Jordan has been performing since his first community production of Hairspray in 2013 and hasn’t stopped since. He has played the title role in Dracula as well as countless musicals and plays since and his love for all things horror has helped him in his pursuit in the arts. He is currently directing Neverending Story at Roo Theatre and is absolutely loving the time off stage to get creative but also truly misses being on stage. Jordan recently graduated with his Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing at UOW and is in the process of finalising his first full length play!

I’m really looking forward to it. I’ve missed being on stage and the challenge of remembering lines and surviving that one take we get, gives me such a rush. I’ll just do it and pray for the best!

Jordan Cunningham

24 HOUR THEATRE ILLAWARRA 2022

7:30pm Saturday 6^th August

at the Bridge Street Theatre
Located next to Coniston Train Station

Tickets: $25/$20
BOOK NOW

NOWRA | 28 – 31 October
WOLLONGONG | 4 – 7 Nov

Our Film Festival is set for an explosive start, with some of the festivals highest rated films kickstarting the Semi-finals.

Audience will be sending one film from each of our Heat 1 categories, one International Film, one Australian film and one home-grown Illawarra film to our GALA FINALS.

Our judges will vote one film as the overall Best Film for Heat 1 which will also advance to the galas.

HEAT 1 | Semi-Finals
Nowra Screenings: Thu 28/10 (7:30pm) & Sun 31/10 (3:00pm)
at the ROXY Cinema, Nowra
All tickets $15
Bookings: bookings@blackboxtheatre.org

Wollongong Screenings: Thu 4/11 (7:30pm) & Sun 7/11 (3:00pm)
at the Bridge Street Theatre Coniston (Phoenix Theatre)
Tickets: $22 Adult, $17 Concession
Bookings: bookings@blackboxtheatre.org

Agnès Varda

International Films | Islamic Republic of Iran

Written and directed by Mohammad Mohammadian

A brief overview of the life and cinema of French film director, screenwriter, photographer and installation artist Agnès Varda. Her work was pioneering for, and central to, the development of the widely influential French New Wave film movement of the 1950s and 1960s. Historically, Agnès Varda is seen as the New Wave’s mother.

Strange Hearts

International Films (Santiago, Chile)

Written and directed by Fran Olmedo Longeri

A lonely young man dies because of destiny’s mistake. When he comes back to life but without a beating heart, destiny must correct its wrong by giving him another chance at love.

Key Cast: Vince Doud

The Slide

Australian Films (Melbourne, VIC)

Written and directed by Matt Williams

A brief overview of the life and cinema of French film director, screenwriter, photographer and installation artist Agnès Varda. Her A brother and sister, reunited amidst the upheaval of 2020, bond over a monument to their childhood.

Key Cast: Abigail King, Jesse Bouma

Writing Time

Australian Films (Sydney)

Written and directed by Lachlan Salvestro

Discovering that he is trapped in an endless science exam, a hopelessly unprepared student struggles against his loop. Your time starts now.

Key Cast: Saksham Sharma, Dominic Polito

Run With Me

Australian Films (Gold Coast, QLD)

Written by Jo-Anne Brechin
Directed by Bonnie Cee

A boy is on a pursuit to live life to the fullest and convince his love that the restraints of their beautiful town are closing them both in, but can he sway her to leave before it’s too late?

Key Cast: Arielle Cartwright, Nick Slater

Prey School (Wildcard Peoples Choice)

Australian Films (Sydney)

Written and directed Angus Middleton

Join Adam and Lucy as they learn to count, that it’s okay to be scared and how to live through a global pandemic.

Key Cast: Thomas “Wombat” Goth-Towney, Tiffany Wong, Ranjeet Manjrekar

If I Quit Now

Australian Films (Adelaide SA)

Written and directed by Luke Wissell

Near the end of his twelve month rehab stay, Andrew gives a vulnerable testimony to churchgoers. When the congregation seem to judge him harshly, a shattered Andrew makes plans to slip away from the residential rehab and back to drugs. But Rob, the teenager Andrew’s spent the past two months mentoring, uncovers his best friend’s ruinous plan and stages a frightening coup to save Andrew.

Wing

Illawarra Films (Woonona)

Written by Gaele Sobott
Directed by Linda Luke and Martin Fox

A bird brings together a dancer, a poet, a film-maker, a composer – to touch the fragility of life.

Key Cast: Linda Luke, Clare Grant

Mr Organic

Illawarra Films (Thirroul)

Written and directed Gabriel McCarthy and Jonathan Adams

Mr. Organic and a stranger get into a “competition” in the park.

Key Cast: Gabriel McCarthy and Jonathan Adams

Don’t Waste It (Newhaven)

Illawarra Films (Dapto)

Directed by Jordan Turner

Don’t Waste It (Newhaven)
Illawarra Films (Dapto)
Set in an abandoned research facility, the music video follows ‘Six’, a test subject who is goaded into making his escape by a mysterious woman from his past.  The film clip combines miniature sets with 3D and 2D animated characters into a menagerie of styles that are diverse, but still created a sense of cohesion in that disparity.

HEAT 1 | Semi-Finals
Nowra Screenings: Thu 28/10 (7:30pm) & Sun 31/10 (3:00pm)
at the ROXY Cinema, Nowra
All tickets $15
Bookings: bookings@blackboxtheatre.org

Wollongong Screenings: Thu 4/11 (7:30pm) & Sun 7/11 (3:00pm)
at the Bridge Street Theatre Coniston (Phoenix Theatre)
Tickets: $22 Adult, $17 Concession
Bookings: bookings@blackboxtheatre.org

With TWISTED and SHORT+SWEET ILLAWARRA in COVID’s firing line, local independent theatre companies Rising Arts, Short+Sweet Illawarra and the Phoenix Theatre band together to try and save their shows.

Phil Harris, Associate Producer Short+Sweet Illawarra

It’s no secret that Covid 19 has devastated the world. There has not been an industry that has escaped its scourge. That’s just as true for the performing arts world and all those that dabble in the greasepaint or bring your entertainment under the stage lights. To have a nod of agreement that ticket sales are down is one thing but to truly delve into the organisational and personal cost of the pandemic is something completely different. Herein is that impact on 3 different levels. Actor, Producer and Venue Provider.

A producer’s nightmare is known as “no bums on seats!” We pull out hair worrying the budget will be shot, tickets will not be sold and the show will lose money thereby jeopardising future shows. After months of pulling all the pieces together, recruiting the illusive production team, promoting hard and scraping together every cent, we prime ourselves for the oncoming opening night. Then someone tells you it’s over before it begins!

The tears fall, the fury bursts, the financial panic sets in and everybody has been hit. The much anticipated Short+Sweet festival and the Rising Arts production of TWISTED have collided head on in their attempts to get their events on the stage. Only by working together have they managed to pull it off, but they are not out of the woods yet.

TWISTED the musical parodies the 1992 Walt Disney Animation Studios’ film Aladdin, and the Walt Disney Company in general, telling the story from the point of view of Ja’far, the Royal Vizier (Pictured). It has several nods and homages to the musical Wicked, which similarly retells a popular story from the villain’s point of view. It’s fun, looney and toe tapping. Just what we need since Covid devastated the arts industry.

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JARROD RIESINGER

Director, TWISTED – Rising Arts Productions

When the current COVID lockdown was announced, it risked taking local production TWISTED with it – their two-week season coinciding with the recent closure of live theatre. But where there are stage-lights, there is hope.

Jarrod: We were preparing and finalising last minute bits and pieces for the production week of Twisted when the news broke. Naturally, it was a crushing blow for us as a creative team, cast and crew who have spent the last year working on the show which had already experienced significant delays due to the 2020 lockdowns but an eventuality we were expecting given the circumstances. We at Rising Arts did what a lot of community theatre groups did when the news broke, we quickly pivoted to plan B and worked in with one another to secure new dates and contingency plans for our shows while also sharing commiserations with one another knowing how devastating it is to have a show affected by COVID-19. It has honestly been touching the amount of love that has been shown to us and everyone else going through a similar experience and has really brought us closer together as a community; a silver lining from a terrible time for all members of the creative arts community.

We’ve been very fortunate to have had the support of so many. Thanks to the flexibility of Short+Sweet Illawarra and Steen at the Phoenix Theatre, we at least have the opportunity to hit the stage when this is all over. At the end of the day we are all one big extended community, so to have people willing to move heaven and earth to try and get you on stage after repeated delays to your show and the offerings of help and support from other companies in the area really emphasises the positives that can come out of working as a collective unit. It’s often easy for companies to isolate themselves and run their own race, but when push comes to shove its moments like these that really epitomise the kind of energy we should all be bringing to the stage and the way we operate at all times.

At this point we’ve spent over 12 months trying to get Twisted to the stage and so many people have spent countless hours to build this piece of theatre; whether it be cast, crew, orchestra or creatives. It’s always hard on a person when something you’ve dedicated so much time to doesn’t come to fruition. That said, artists are nothing but resilient and we’re lucky to have a really resilient and adaptable team who has been willing to go on this wild journey with us, which I think is a testament to the kind of people involved in theatre in the Illawarra. We’re a tough and talented breed, and together we’ll come out the other side of lockdown stronger and better for the experience.

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LUKE BERMAN

Festival Director, Short+Sweet Illawarra

With local theatre In the firing line of COVID, Short+Sweet Illawarra producer Luke Berman throws a lifeline to Rising Arts Productions, moving his festival to give TWISTED a chance to shine.

Luke: Not only is this is anxious time for our artists with the uncertainty how long the current lockdown might last, but any closure of live performance is a loss to our community. It’s the audiences that miss out too. People have showed they want to go out. Short+Sweet fans know we put on an excellent festival every year. They look forward to it. Our Sydney festival was seeing record audience attendance before lockdown. People are definitely sick of Netflix.

We’re doing something really special here in the Illawarra.

We have a vision to be the only region in the world to offer an annual season with six separate Short+Sweet performance strands. Theatre, Film, Dance, Youth, Cabaret and Stand-up Comedy. This festival could engage with almost anyone in the region and give them a stage in which to tell their stories and to show their talents.

But we too rely completely on ticket sales to ensure the festivals success, so there is definitely the risk of the festival losing money with audience restrictions or extension to lock-downs. If we can get the bums on seats, we could make enough to expand as early as next year. Ourfuture  success financially and creatively relies entirely on how we nurture, engage with, and support our actors, directors, writers, technicians, filmmakers, venue owners and our audience.

We have a lot of experience in creating sustainable festivals that are adaptable to market volatility, so we’re well placed to weather the current uncertainty. But as an independent hirer to the theatre, there is only so much we do. Any change to our dates we risk losing plays, directors, actors and crew. It’s tricky to keep changing when you’re working with 23 separate productions and over a hundred artists. But such is the risk of producing theatre during the age of COVID.

What is remarkable though, is the effort that each group is going to for the others. With the cooperation of multiple groups, Short+Sweet Illawarra we were able to move our opening week of plays to free up the stage, and give TWISTED a chance to survive.

This is how we work in the Illawarra. We look out for each-other. I’m sure Rising Arts would do the same for us. We’re not out of the woods yet, and even if we can return to the stage as scheduled, we need the community to support us. Buy a ticket and let us entertain you.

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STEEN

Venue Manager, Bridge Street Theatre (Phoenix Theatre Company)

Venue owner Steen from the Phoenix Theatre has moved mountains to ensure that there is a stage ready for local independent producers Rising Arts Productions and Short+Sweet Illawarra. But his generosity comes at great cost.

Steen:  When the first lockdown happened we were already in debt for three shows about to open, fortunately we have recouped those shows since but it was a very difficult time. We fortunately have very low running costs because we don’t often do rights based modern shows. We are also not profit-driven so we did not have as tough a time as others may have, but we did come close to closing the doors, a possibility that still hangs as a shadow over us in these uncertain times.

Bouncing back will be hard. The key is diversity but it is also the problem. Theatres need to keep diverse audiences want a diverse medium. We hear it all the time that people are sick of seeing the same sort of thing over and over again, but people often fear trying something new.

The Phoenix Theatre is dedicated to emerging theatre makers and providing alternative performance opportunities to the community, this essentially means we do not do standard popular work and do not have the financial resources available to companies that do more audience-friendly theatre such as well-known musicals or comedies.

This does not mean we are any less in quality, we strive for improvement and high-quality performance, it just means resources are sparser due to numbers.

We keep our door prices very low, so people can try something new, if they like it they will come back. I feel smaller more diverse shows that are well done at a lower price will eventually gather more audience who want to see something new along with the big entertainment events, this model is slowly taking on around the theatre centres of the world.

There is absolutely room for both, at the core is telling stories and the shared experience of being in the same room with the performer, feeling the resonance of the voice, the air move with the gesture of the actor and the shared emotional experience with the fellow audience members, the theatre will survive but it may look a little different when it comes back, and that is not always a bad thing. Adaptation is what people do best.

The Phoenix will always be here for the odd the quirky and the alternative, we are deeply connected to our community, and we will adjust to fill in the gaps as best we can and support the emerging theatre makers and audience.

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ZAC CHADWICK

Actor, Short+Sweet Illawarra

Short+Sweet Illawarra actor Zac Chadwick, who lost his role in Short+Sweet Illawarra due to the changed dates reflects on the importance and innovation of our Illawarra theatremakers.

Zac: This most recent COVID outbreak has been tough on individuals, families and business in NSW and let’s be honest, all of Australia. Local business struggle to survive, people from all sorts of situations struggling with demands they’ve never faced before. One such industry that has been hit hard, and strikes a special note with many, including myself is theatre. 

Theatre isn’t just superficial for people who do it, consume it and interact with it, it’s much more. In the same way exercise can help the body and mind, theatre does this for the hearts and souls of people. For myself in particular, there’s been changes in casts, and I haven’t been able to perform in pieces I’ve wanted to, work with friends and colleagues who I learn from and respect, there’s been pieces moved years in advance to accommodate for the uncertainty and most of all it’s stopped a lot of the face-to-face interaction we all need. 

That being said; theatre has been positively affected: seeing communities grow, reach out, there’s been so many accommodations and creative solutions like Facebook live theatre, recordings and rehearsals over zoom, there’s been poets and musicians arise in people who didn’t know they had it in them and it’s given theatre a surge in voices and presence in the online community. 

Whilst it’s been difficult through the financial impact of not only actors but hirers, behind the scene artists, crew, lighting, etc. it has been amazing to see that being physically apart doesn’t have to mean distant. The mood is sombre but hopeful in many cases and hopefully with support, the theatre will thrive again in the way it’s meant to be consumed, in person, in full. 

Black Box Theatre’s 2020 season kicks off in March with the Pulitzer-Prize winning stage-play PROOF by David Auburn, and will be directed by Luke Berman. On the eve of her twenty-fifth birthday, Catherine, a troubled young woman, has spent years caring for her brilliant but unstable father, a famous mathematician. Now, following his death, she must deal with her own brilliance as well as the doubt of her sanity.

“A touching study in filial devotion, as brilliant people struggle against their fears of madness.” Michael Sommers, New York Times.

Cast: Lisa Omodie (Catherine), Gordon Streek (Robert), Zac Chadwick (Hal), Mel Ringer (Claire)

Our 24 HOUR THEATRE challenge returns again in 2020, and will feature ten short plays that are written overnight, rehearsed and performed the next day – scripts down. Following our sell-out season in 2019, we are expecting another strong showcase.

Our SHORT+SWEET ILLAWARRA festival returns for its third year in the Illawarra, while its big-brother Sydney festival celebrates its nineteenth season. Returning this year will be our Theatre Top-20 season of ten-minute theatre productions, as well as the return of our Film Festival and Cabaret+Comedy showcase following their successful debut in 2019.

If this little festival wasn’t already big enough, we are adding two more programs into the mix, with Short+Sweet Illawarra Dance and Youth-Theatre being launched for the first time in the region.  We will also be adding our own Gala Final Showcase – featuring the best acts from the festival, which is expected to exceed 100 original pieces of theatre, film, comedy and dance.

And as always, to finish the year, will be PLAYMATES ILLAWARRA – Illawarrra’s mate-against-mate improvisation showcase featuring six local theatre and entertainment companies. This is the 15^th consecutive year Playmates has been staged, with University looking to retain their trophy they won in 2019 in a photo-finish grand final triumph against Wollongong Comedy.

 

PROOF

Written by David Auburn

Directed by Luke Berman

Starring Lisa Omodei (Catherine), Gordon Streak (Robert),
Zac Chadwick (Hal) and Mel Ringer (Claire)

20 - 28 March 
at the Bridge St Theatre Coniston

 

 

24 HOUR THEATRE ILLAWARRA

From blank page to the stage – all in 24 hours

30th May
at the Bridge St Theatre Coniston

 

 

SHORT+SWEET ILLAWARRA

THEATRE | FILM | DANCE | YOUTH | CABARET+COMEDY

The Biggest Little Festival in the World

4th September - 10th October
at the Bridge St Theatre Coniston

 

 

 

PLAYMATES ILLAWARRA XV

Illawarra’s mate-against-mate improvisation showcase

November
City Diggers Club Wollongong

 

 

 

7:30pm  Friday 6th December
City Diggers Club, Burelli Street Wollongong

Tickets| Facebook Event | Follow on FB

Meet the Wollongong Comedy Team

No team has been hungrier for the trophy than Wollongong Comedy, not since SPATs inaugural Grand Final victory on our ten-year anniversary. This year, the pressure is on – Wollongong Comedy head honcho Stu MacPherson has gone with a lethal line-up featuring Adam Armitt, Jen Guerrieri-Cortesi, Lisa Omodei and Jarrod Riesinger.

But no matter how strong the team is, Wollongong Comedy has had a love-hate relationship with our Playmates judging panel.

Luke: Which of the other teams do you think are your biggest threat?

Adam: Just like every year, it’s the judges.

Jen: Yep. “Team Judges”. Too much history there.

Jarrod: Yeah, our team is cursed with both devilishly good looks and the inability to win Playmates.

Luke: What’s your favourite thing about improv?

Jarrod: Crushing the University team.

Jen: I love performing with people I know and love and trust, and meeting new people and seeing their skills develop. Also hearing the audience react instantaneously.

Jarrod: Yeah, and as cheesy as it sounds, it’s the camaraderie. Most of my favourite memories and stories are from improv or with people I perform improv with often. It’s very hard to find something that will bring people closer together than creating something together. Add an element of spontaneity and you have fantastic failures, hilarious embarrassing moments and some really empowering accomplishments; sometimes all in the one scene. I think that’s something only improv can achieve. Speaking of, crushing the Uni team is something only Wollongong Comedy can achieve.

Adam: My Team is hilarious.

Luke: You just won the lotto. What do you do with the cash?

Adam: How much are we talking? Scratchy probably a party, 20-mil definitely a party.

Jen: Pay off my week old mortgage, lots of travel. Buy puppies. Buy a zoo.

Jarrod: Buy a theatre and do a shitload of improv. Also, Disney World. Maybe buy Disney World and turn it into an improv theatre.

Luke: You have a chance to perform in front of a famous person, living or dead. Who, and why?

Adam: President Trump.

Luke: President Trump?

Adam: Yeah, but he’d be dead.

Jarrod: It’s a tie between Wollongong’s resident hunky and hilarious comedian Adam Armitt or Del Close at the peak of his ‘Del Close-ness’. Both seem like they’d be a party to perform in front of!

Jen: Can’t go past Improv Royalty in the form of Wayne Brady, Colin Mochrie and Ryan Stiles but I would need a strong glass of liquid courage beforehand.

Luke: Why should people come to Playmates?

Jen: It’s celebrating local theatre and comedians and actors in this friendly, not crazy intimidating way. We have no idea what’s going to happen, neither do you. But we need your suggestions to get there. It’s a fun night of laughs and just something different from plonking on the couch.

Jarrod: To watch Alex Cuff cry when he doesn’t win two years in a row. It’s also a great testament of the talent the Illawarra performing arts scene has. Most companies, whether directly or indirectly, are represented in some way and that is something that should be celebrated.

Adam: Because we are creating a unique experience for the audience and performers. There’s nothing quite like Playmates.