A play inspired by Greta Thunberg, and a poetic piece about war seen through a child’s eyes, have earned creators Dora Abraham and William Harris 2020 Flinders University Young Playwrights’ Awards.
The talented youths will be presented with their awards on October 12, at a free event at Flinders University that will include a reading of Abraham’s play, Coldhands.
Supported by Flinders University, these awards aim to kickstart the careers of emerging writers through professional mentoring and script development. Both winners will also receive a cash prize and subscription to State Theatre Company South Australia’s 2021 season.
Senior winner Dora Abraham – who is a Flinders University alumna (Bachelor of Creative Arts, drama (honours)) – says: “It is thrilling and a privilege to have a work that exists in your head, locked up for months like we all have been this year, go out into the world.”
The 25 year-old, whose play explores the myth of the ‘powerful princess’ and a world frightened of change, had written the play pre-lockdown but felt inspired to revisit it once the pandemic hit.
Sixteen-year-old William Harris (left) won the Junior Award for his play Chi Runs. He says the award is “a positive stepping-stone toward the direction I am interested in taking with play writing. It’s a fantastic opportunity for emerging playwrights to share their work and for it to be read by people in the field.”
The judging panel comprised Flinders University drama lecturer Tom Healey, independent theatre maker Shannon Mackowski and State Theatre Company South Australia Education Manager Fiona Lukac.
“Flinders University is thrilled to be involved with this partnership that honours, nurtures and celebrates the upcoming generation of Writers for Performance,” Mr Healey says. “The field was strong and diverse this year in both the Junior and Senior categories. The creative vision for our future is in good hands.”
Awards event and reading
Anyone can register to attend the free public reading of the winning senior play and awards presentation.
Where: Matthew Flinders Theatre, Bedford Park
When: 7:30 – 8:45pm Monday 12 October 2020