Dear Playwrights, Colleagues, Educators, Supporters and Friends,

I am thrilled to be writing to you for the first time as the inaugural Executive Producer / CEO of Australian Plays Transform.

APT was established in 2021 through the consolidation of two organisations, Playwriting Australia (working in play development) and Australian Plays (working in play publication, promotion and licensing).

I took up the position on May 24, arriving at the Sydney office in The Rocks with great joy, and a sense of carrying forward all the hard and focused work of the predecessor organisations, and the future vision for this new entity APT. You can read more about our Vision, Purpose and Values here.

Jump forward four weeks from May 24, with the announcement of the NSW stay-at-home order, and Michelle Kotevski (General Manager) and I were packing files, setting up laptops, knowing that we may not see each other in the real world, for some time.

Whilst we are experiencing the COVID-19 pandemic in different ways across Australia, what we experience in common is the impact on our sector, our livelihoods, and our ability to connect with audiences. Our thoughts are with the sector in this time of uncertainty.

It is a devastating time for playwrights, for those who work with them, and the on and off-stage artists and crew. APT stands in solidarity with the wider sector and we are thankful when we see the work of playwrights meeting audiences where able. We celebrate the tenacity and determination of Australian theatre. We find it incredibly heartening that Production Licensing enquiries continue to come into our office every day, from schools and communities across the country.

I want to take this opportunity to share some updates and highlights:

• We have been working on some exciting new projects, including the development of a new digital platform to support Australian playwrights.
• Our team is expanding, and we are thrilled to welcome new members who bring diverse experiences and skills to APT.
• We are planning a series of webinars and workshops to provide ongoing support and professional development opportunities for playwrights and theatre practitioners.

Thank you for your continued support and commitment to Australian theatre. We look forward to working with you all as we navigate these challenging times and continue to champion the voices of Australian playwrights.

Best regards,
[Your Name]
Executive Producer / CEO
Australian Plays Transform