This month we look at projects taking place against the backdrop of an age-old institution. School. These creatives are telling stories through theatre and film to provoke conversations about schoolyard culture and imbalances of power.
A new black comedy and drag theatre extravaganza about power, privilege and high school debating. Debating, with its boys’ clubs of notable alumni who revel in turning argument into sport and have always believed themselves the smartest in the room, feels like the natural site for engaging in these pertinent conversations in Trophy Boys. This February the boys will return for a full season presented as part of the 2023 Midsumma Festival.
Donations will be used to cover the overhead of venue hire costs and fees.
O-WEEK is inspired by the queer relationship which was fostered after a traumatic event in ‘Higher Learning’ (1995) culminated with the raw portrayal of the implications of sexual violence in ‘Promising Young Woman’ (2020). This film delves into the importance of ongoing and enthusiastic consent, the uncovering of intimacy in queer relationships and the importance of exploring oneself during these crucial developing years.
Donations will be used to pay for location hire, costumes, props, cast and crew fees, catering, music rights and film festival fees.
‘Code of Conduct’ is a taut, thought-provoking drama about workplace discrimination, queer solidarity and intergenerational responsibility. The production is being created with the intention of securing regional and remote touring opportunities. The play will be presented at Gasworks Arts Park for the 2023 Midsumma Festival.
Donations will be used to provide paid opportunities for the 11 artists involved in the project and to engage an intimacy co-ordinator.