About the mentorship programs
APT’s goals
These programs have been developed in consultation with Tasmanian arts organisations, artists, and communities. They aim to build support and broaden the voices represented in Tasmanian theatre, for the value of the community on the island and the greater arts sector. APT will do this by creating additional space for artistic growth via mentorship and skills-development for the next generation of creators.
Benefits
These programs offer:
- The chance to work with lead artist, Nathan Maynard, with a second lead artist to be announced.
- To learn and develop skills for theatre via group workshops, individual mentorship, exercises, and activities
- To hear from and talk with renowned Australian artists
- Connection to arts organisations in lutruwita/Tasmania to develop relationships with and with a view to future work and opportunities
Remuneration
- APT will support 6 artists in each program (12 artists in total)
- Each program’s activities equal a total of 33-35 hours attendance and participants will receive a fee of $1,200
- Participants will receive super contributions
Timeline – Playwriting Program
| Monday 27 February | Applications open |
| Friday 10 March | Applications close |
| Monday 20 March | Successful applicants announced |
| Late March | In-person 2-day group workshop |
| March – August | 3 x 1-hour one-on-one dramaturgy sessions for each participant |
| March – August | 3 group sessions of 2-hours for each participant |
| August/September | Final Workshop, Debrief & Program Close |
| Ongoing | Continued guidance from APT regarding further development pathways, next steps, and connections to other artists and organisations via APT’s extensive contacts. APT will also continue its engagement with theatre companies and organisations on the island, for fostering potential additional learning and experiences. |
Timeline – Dramaturgy Program
| Monday 27 February | Applications open |
| Friday 10 March | Applications close |
| Monday 20 March | Successful applicants announced |
| Late March | In-person 3-day group workshop |
| March – August | 3 x 2-hour group sessions with lead dramaturgs |
| August/September | APT hosted debrief and Career Pathway planning session. |
| Ongoing | Continued guidance from APT regarding further development pathways, next steps, and connections to other artists and organisations via APT’s extensive contacts. APT will also continue its engagement with theatre companies and organisations on the island, for fostering potential additional learning and experiences. |
Eligibility
For these mentorships, APT defines people from diverse backgrounds as people who are:
- Australian First Nations
- Culturally and/or linguistically diverse (CaLD)
- People of colour (PoC)
To apply for these mentorships, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- identify as Australian First Nations / CaLD / PoC
- be based in lutruwita/Tasmania.
- be a new or emerging dramaturg, storyteller, or playwright. This could mean you’re interested in becoming a dramaturg, storyteller, or playwright. Maybe you’ve already done a little bit of work in this field, and you want to expand your skills.
Calling storytellers and story-makers!
Do you have a story, a tale, or a yarn that you’re bursting to share, and want to learn the writing skills to bring that story to life?
Do you imagine your story connecting with other people, and bringing them together?
Or maybe you love plays and theatre, want to learn what makes a great play, and help writers tell their stories?
If yes, then we’d love to chat with you!
‘We’ are Australian Plays Transform (APT). APT is a national organisation dedicated to nurturing plays and playwrights from all different backgrounds, to celebrate the richness of Australian voices and stories.
How does it do this? By advocating for playwrights and helping to develop their plays and ideas, often matching them with directors, actors, and other theatre creatives to help.
Who can apply? New or emerging storytellers/theatre makers who identify as First Nations, Culturally and Linguistically Diverse, and People of Colour, and who want to tell stories on theatre stages. APT encourages anyone from these communities to apply and we welcome all applications and questions. Expressions of interest will open in late February – stay tuned
What is APT doing in lutruwita/Tasmania? In 2023, under the guidance of Tasmanian Creative Producer Jen Rani (bio below), APT is running two six-month programs to build writing skills and story-making skills, for those passionate about telling stories. The programs will be led by respected and accomplished theatre makers and will also connect the participants with industry professionals to further relationships and mentorships. One program will teach skills in playwriting, the other will teach skills in dramaturgy (looking at how plays work and how playwrights tell a story). The programs will add to the brilliant work lutruwita/Tasmanian artists and organisations are already doing, by creating additional space for artistic growth and difference in the island’s theatre community.
Want to sign up for more info on these programs? Fill in the form below and we’ll keep you up to date!
Jennifer Rani
An accomplished actor, director and creative producer, Jen works on projects and with individuals committed to challenging bias and driving systemic change in the arts, and aims to contribute to the shifting landscape of the ‘Australian’ story on our stages.
Most notably, she has producing events for MONA’s inaugural Dark Mofo festival in 2013, now a world renowned arts festival, and collaboratively designed and delivered a $75 million NSW government grant program to support the development of innovative, large-scale electricity and storage projects in NSW.
In her current role as Creative Producer for Australian Plays Transforms’ programs in lutruwita/Tasmania, she is working with local organisations, communities, and artists to support and foster First Nations and diverse playwrights and dramaturgs of colour making theatre on the island.
Recent directing includes Hilary Bell’s one woman show Window, Cricket Bat for Sydney Festival (2022); acting credits include playing Helayas Breen in Tom Holloway’s world premiere of The Museum of Modern Love for Sydney Festival (2022), and reoccurring guest roles on Home and Away (2022-23) and Rosehaven (2016-21).
Jen’s recent selection for Theatre Network Australia’s ‘Leadershift’ program to address systemic inequity in diverse leadership roles in the arts, coupled with her extensive experience and skillset, make her an adept creative leader and well-equipped to guide APT’s programs and the growth of aspiring artists.
This project was support by the Tasmanian Government through Arts Tasmania.
