*Please note that all dates are subject to change.
The biggest little play festival in the world is now entering its 20th year in its hometown of Sydney and will be returning to the Tom Mann Theatre in Surry Hills from May 10 until August 22!
Helmed by Festival Director, Nick Hardcastle, who has recently returned from Los Angeles where he ran Short+Sweet Hollywood's most exciting, diverse and successful program yet in 2019, this year's festival promises to bring some wonderful new changes while honouring the great spirit, legacy and format that everyone loves about Short+Sweet!
This year is a particularly special year as we finally return to the theatre to turn back on the lights and share our stories after having to cut our 2020 festival 'SHORT', leaving theatres being blacked out due to the Global Pandemic.
Throughout the pandemic, we have been encouraging people around the World to use this time to write their great 10 minute story - Finally, here is their chance to share it on our stage, where it belongs!
We will kick off the festival this year with a week of 'hindsight' when we present the best plays from the 5 weeks of the 2020 festival. This will culminate in a special 'Best of the Fest' evening on Sunday May 19.
All remaining plays that were invited in to the 2020 festival and were yet to be presented will be automatically invited to appear this year. Any of the writers, directors and actors that had participated in the first five weeks of the 2020 festival will be welcome to submit another work in the 2021 festival! There will be NO WILDCARDS this year. Everyone who is accepted in the Festival will be programmed in competition and will be guaranteed two evenings and one matinee performance.
You can submit your play until March 13 - here!
Short+Sweet is, at its heart, a community and professional development, cultural event. It is a wonderful opportunity for writers, directors and actors who want to share their voice and talent in a professional environment and venue. Its goal is to become a powerful tool for diversity in the entertainment industry, as well as providing a way to discover new or established local talent by engaging more people in the live theatre experience. The festival multiplies participants' raw and creative energy, with different ensembles, directors and writers exchanging ideas, learning from each other and providing creative inspiration.
With this in mind we are creating a DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION PROGRAMMING COMMITTEE
"To ensure that we have the opportunity to see the full breadth of our community here in Sydney represented on stage, I am building a Diversity and Inclusion Programming Team. Everyone on this team will be asked to engage with specific community groups of writers, directors and actors to make sure that those artists have an opportunity to participate in the festival and that their stories can be shared. Whether they be diversely abled, BIPOC, new immigrants, LGBTQ+, have English as a second language or are elderly - I want anyone that might think that there isn't a place for them in the open English language program of Short+Sweet, to know that we have room for them and want them to be seen and heard," says FD Nick Hardcastle.
Our message to you is that this is: ‘Your COMMUNITY, Your STORY, Your VOICE, Your FESTIVAL!'
To find out more or to apply to join our D&I Committee, contact nick.hardcastle@shortandsweet.org
SPONSORSHIP AND PARTNERSHIPS
Short+Sweet presents a unique opportunity to sponsors and partners to reach thousands of people over a extended period. With in theatre activations, on screen loops, outdoor signage, verbal acknowledgements, merchandise, a printed festival brochure, special events, prize giving opportunities and an endless array of bespoke collaborations possible - now is the time to get your brand or company involved with our incredibly engaged community!
To request a sponsorship and partnerships proposal, contact nick.hardcastle@shortandsweet.org
VOLUNTEERS