Do you want to be part of a cross-cultural script written by women in the Riverina?
We are looking for short monologues (stories written in the first person) that will unveil heartfelt narratives, probe our dramatic past and paint a vision for our collective future. The story must speak to the region and its women – First Nations, diverse, queer, rural, urban, young and old. Their survival and resilience, their past and dreams for the future.
Selected stories will form a powerful multi-arts theatrical production with projection and commissioned music toured by professional actors and musicians to Sydney, The Riverina region and Melbourne.
The deadline for the submission of stories is 31 August 2024.
All the details for STORY SUBMISSION or WORKSHOP INTEREST are on this entry form. Click below!
WHO IS LEADING THE PROJECT?
The project is led by a collaborative group of women with three strong years of partnership in the Riverina, managed by Voices of Women (VOW). The key group is Aunty Cheryl Penrith OAM, Curious Rabbit Director Vicki Burkinshaw and Voices of Women Artistic Director Lliane Clarke.
They are supported by Multicultural Council of Wagga Wagga, writer/performer and refugee advocate Haya Arzidin, Eastern Riverina Arts, Oddball Theatre Director Saasha McMillan, Wagga Wagga Art Gallery, Booranga Writers’ Centre, Eastern Riverina Arts and First Nations Australia Writers Network. New relationships will also be built, while existing ones strengthened and we welcome all collaborations.
WHAT IS THE CALL OUT?
We are inviting women to write monologues – short stories told from the heart in the first person – heartfelt personal moments, tragic memories, truth telling, comedy and connection of all who identify as women who come from or live in this region in 2024.
We are keen to hear from First Nations women, women on the land, refugees and migrants, young women, families, urban and rural women, women from the queer community, everyone is welcome. There is no theme – except the story must in some way reflect, feature, include the Riverina Region of New South Wales.
We are happy to read what you have already written, support you in a draft and we will be holding a series of workshops and one-on one mentoring sessions to support you and inspire you to craft your new story.
The stories will then be selected by an editorial panel and performed by actors, with music written especially for them. A small selection of stories will be filmed.
The stories will be presented in Sydney at the KXT Broadway Theatre in November 2024 and at Wagga Wagga Art Gallery, and a planned tour to Albury and to Melbourne.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS WOMEN OF THE RIVERINA 2024
- Closing date is 11.59pm EST, 31 August 2024
- Late entries will not be accepted. There is no cost to submit your story.
- All women and young women with a connection to the Riverina Region of NSW are welcome to enter (over 16 years of age). The writer must have and needs to include a connection to the region, living, spending time, working there.
- Entry must be 800 words maximum and no longer than three minutes spoken.
- Your submitted story must be in the first person and be spoken in a woman’s voice, which includes female-identifying women, trans women and non binary voices.
- Stories must be the original work of the author and must not have been published before or be subject to a previous publishing agreement or infringe any copyright or licence or any other right of any person including defamation.
- An author may submit unlimited entries, but each entry must be accompanied by an entry form.
- All writers selected by the Editorial Panel will receive $100.00 AUS. This includes a performance fee.
- Submission of the story gives permission for the piece to be performed in ticketed live events in Australia. Selected entries will be performed by professional actors in live events in Australia, beginning with KXY Broadway in Sydney in November 2024.
- The stories may be made into a limited digital release online.
- Entries may be read on the Voices of Women podcast on Apple Podcasts.
- Stories will remain the copyright of the author. We ask that the stories are not published until after they appear in the digital release or events.
- This agreement does not include publication. Any publication of the stories will be subject to a separate agreement between the writer and a publisher.
- All writers receive a free link to film and free tickets to any performances.
- Some edits may be required for the writers to take on board during the assessment period and actors rehearsals. Every attempt will be made to liaise with the writer during the rehearsals.
- Entries will not be returned. Keep a copy of your entry for your own reference.
- Voices of Women takes no responsibility for lost or misdirected entries.
- Please note that as part of the submission process you will be automatically subscribed to our newsletter, from which you may unsubscribe at any time.
- Contact: Lliane Clarke, Artistic Director
Voices of Women Incorporated
Email: monologue@optusnet.com.au
NEED HELP?
We will be hosting a writing workshop in June/July to welcome and support all women writers who are working on stories/want to work on a new one/want to read their stories. Enter in form below to register your interest.
Have a look at this short trailer for Entanglement for some inspiration:
HOW DO I ENTER
All the details for STORY SUBMISSION or WORKSHOP INTEREST are on this entry form. Click below!