Short+Sweet Illawarra Theatre 2023

EXECUTIVE

Luke Berman | Executive Producer, Festival Director 

luke.berman@shortandsweet.org

Tom Peach | Illawarra Literary Manager

literary@blackboxtheatre.org

Bee Louise Pike | Associate Producer 

bee.pike@shortandsweet.org

Lydia French Starr  | Graphic Designer

Steen | Venue (Phoenix Theatre Company)

PRODUCTION TEAM

Kate Walker | Lighting Operator / Crew

INTERNATIONAL EXECUTIVE

Mark Cleary | Artistic Director, Short+Sweet International

Vee Malnar | International Literary Manager

Luke Berman | International Coordinator

Script-only submissions for the Short+Sweet Illawarra Theatre Festival have closed for 2023. But you can still submit your script for our other Australian & International Festivals, it will also be in the script pool the Short+Sweet Illawarra Festival in 2024!

SUBMIT YOUR SCRIPT HERE

But there is still a way your script may be able to make the stage this year! You just need to find yourself a director and submit as a Group/ITC Entry! Read more below!

SUBMIT AS A GROUP (ITC) SUBMISSION

GROUP & ITC SUBMISSIONS FORM

An ITC (Independent Theatre Company) submission is one of the best ways to ensure your script makes the stage at Short+Sweet Illawarra. ITCs were established as a way for established theatre groups/companies to be involved in the festival and operate under their own name, however you do not need to be an established group. To enter as an ITC, you simply need to have a script (or proposed creative concept) and a director, you can just give yourself a group name to operate under during the festival. Hey, you may even choose to keep it and start your own theatre company, it's happened many times before!

You may also include actors in your ITC/Group submission if you wish, or you can opt to cast from the Short+Sweet Illawarra open auditions. Writers can nominate themselves to direct their piece if they wish, but we do encourage writers to work with a director. 

There is no submission fee to enter as an ITC, but your script will not be available for selection at other Short+Sweet Festivals. You can submit your ITC/Group piece and also submit your script to the international pool if you wish. Your ITC will be the application we process for the Illawarra festival.

We have limited spots remaining for Directors - Register as soon as possible to begin your preparations for the festival

Directing for Short+Sweet is one of the most critical roles of the festival. Without our writers there would be no festival, but without directors to realise the writer’s vision, scripts would never be able to come to life!

As a Short+Sweet Illawarra director, you not only get to show your unique leadership style and be intrusted to nurture your team of actors, but you will also be guided and mentored through the entire process of theatre making. Short+Sweet Illawarra's smaller scale allows us to be more hands-on with our newer directors, while our more experienced directors can use their experience to take new risks or creative challenges.

We very much encourage new directors to register and learn a new skill, our Festival Director Luke Berman is passionate about supporting our new directors and will be there to mentor you throughout the process.

What does a director have to do for Short+Sweet?

Choose your play

You wil read through our shortlisted scripts which are made up of local scripts as well as scripts submitted from around the world and nominate which scripts you'd like to direct for the festival. Our Festival Director will then allocate you a script from your list of preferences.

Communicate with your Writer

Writers are a vital part of our family. Once you have been allocated your script, we do ask all directors to contact their writer, and to keep them updated along the way. Some writers may live close to you, but some may be very far away, and it's very important that they feel included as part of the process. 

Choose your Actors

We can help match you with some of our registered actors, and connect you with tools to promote your available roles! 

Run your Rehearsals

Directors need to organise their own suitable rehearsal space. This does not need to be a professional rehearsal studio or theatre, many of our directors get very creative with their choice of rehearsal spaces. Often, they approach community halls, churches, or even their living rooms at home. Short+Sweet does not have access to rehearsal spaces, so when you register, this is one of the first things you might want to start planning for.

Complete your Forms

Along the way, we have several technical and publicity forms that we need from you to make sure we have the stage ready for you when the show is live. These forms are spaced out throughout the rehearsal process, this also helps new directors to know when they should start thinking about things like lighting cues, publicity etc. By the end of the process, our directors have had a small crash-course in not only directing, but in producing theatre plays. They will have learned the basic skills required in theatre making. 

Enjoy Yourself

Most of all, we want you, your writer, and your cast to thoroughly enjoy your Short+Sweet experience. Be sure to work hard, but always be positive, nurturing, and professional. 

ILLAWARRA FESTIVAL SCHEDULE & TICKETS 2023

Please note, the films screened in our festival contain adult themes and may not be suitable for young viewers.

Tickets are available at the door (Credit Card and Cash payments accepted)

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5 August  

ILLAWARRA WILDCARDS | SHORT+SWEET ILLAWARRA FILM FESTIVAL

7:30 PM | TICKETS ($22/$17)

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6 August

PHILIPPINE FINALS | SHORT+SWEET MANILA & CEBU FILM FESTIVAL

Australian Advanced Screening 

3:00 PM | TICKETS ($10 / P300)

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10-12 August

ILLAWARRA THEATRE FESTIVAL WEEK 1 

7:30PM | TICKETS OPEN SOON ($22/$17)

13 August 

ILLAWARRA CABARET & VOICES SHOWCASE 

5:30 PM | TICKETS OPEN SOON

TICKETS OPEN SOON ($22/$17)

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17 - 19 August

ILLAWARRA THEATRE FESTIVAL WEEK 2 

7:30PM | TICKETS OPEN SOON ($22/$17)

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FINALS SEASON

25 - 26 August

GALA FINAL SHOWCASE + DANCE

Best acts from Theatre, Dance, Cabaret & Voices

TICKETS OPEN SOON ($32/$27)

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27 August

ILLAWARRA FILM FESTIVAL FINALS

Top 25 Films From the Illawarra, Australia and the The World.

Featuring the 5 winning films from the Illawarra Finals and invited films from the Short+Sweet Manila/Cebu and Essex Film Festivals

TICKETS ($27/$22)

 

ILLAWARRA WEBSITE LINKS

SHORT+SWEET ILLAWARRA THEATRE FESTIVAL / GALA FINAL SHOWCASE | CLICK HERE

SHORT+SWEET ILLAWARRA FILM FESTIVAL | CLICK HERE

SHORT+SWEET ILLAWARRA DANCE FESTIVAL | CLICK HERE

SHORT+SWEET ILLAWARRA CABARET  | CLICK HERE

SHORT+SWEET ILLAWARRA VOICES | CLICK HERE

Festival Enquiries to luke.berman@shortandsweet.org

Festival Director Luke Berman has announced an extended shortlist, with many local and NSW scripts made available to directors, joining our previously announced top rated Australian and International scripts. The Illawarra Short+Sweet festival, while one of our smallest festivals, has become one of the most diverse - offering programs in Theatre, Film, Dance, Cabaret and Voices! This is an exciting little festival, with the same production team also running our Theatre & Film festivals in the Philippines (Manila and Cebu) starting September!

"The Illawarra region is an incredible heartland for performers. Over the years we've seen how strong our theatre-makers are, and we've come a long way with helping our emerging filmmakers have a platform to showcase their work and talent too. But we've only scratched the surface with what the region provides. For such a small population, there's an incredible amount of artists here, dancers, musicians, physical theatre and cabaret performers.

“Possibly one of the greatest artistic regions in Australia, and I want to build a platform to showcase as many of these as we can. Come watch what they can do, you'll be impressed."

- Luke Berman

Illawarra & NSW Scripts

The Colours in the Flames by Brendan Bate (Thirroul)

I Do by Peter Bloem (Wollongong)

Burning Palms by Peter Bloem (Wollongong)

The Quilt by Linda Campbell (Port Kembla)

The Member's Rooms by Mary Jane Coates (Port Macquarie)

A Murderous Request by Mary Jane Coates (Port Macquarie)

Andrew Woos by Robert Cowin (Wollongong)

Remembering You by Bernadette Le Mesurier (Stanwell Park)

Per Chance to Dream by Rodney Marsden (Corrimal)

Zombie Vision by Rodney Marsden (Corrimal)

Trust Issues by Dona Parise (Shellharbour)

Normality by Donatella Parise (Shellharbour)

You Should See A Doctor by Melissa Richards-Bate (Thirroul)

The Museum of Tears by Katrina Samaras (West Wollongong)

Worlds by Katrina Samaras (West Wollongong)

We Must Go Down to the Sea Again by Katrina Samaras (West Wollongong)

Eloise by Corinne Sennitt (Woollamia)

Mirror Talk by Brannon Ware (Figtree)

Life After Football by Ethan Andrews (Birmingham Gardens)

Many Apps Make Light Living by Robert Balinger (Pymble)

What Price A View? By Robert Balinger (Pymble)

The Anonymous by Ms J. Balarka Banerjee (Castle Hill)

I Crashed a Wedding Speech! By Alison Benstead (Annandale)

Changing Times by Greg Buist (Umina Beach)

Fantasy by Philip Clay (Manly)

God's Will by Garreth Cruikshank (Enmore)

(Just goddamn open) The Bag by Rosalind Dixon (Randwick)

Scope Creep by Amber Elen-Forbat (Stanmore)

The Concierge by Zoë Harvey (Sydney)

Main Character Energy by Freia Kirkaldy (St Peters)

Virgin Temptation by Ray Kolle (Randwick)

Does the Means Justify the End? by Mark Konic (Garden Suburb)

Synthetic by Stephen Larkman (Sydney)

Space Commander Versus the Mud Monsters by Frank Leggett (Balmain)

Sissy by James May (Lillian Rock)

Banana Girl by Paris Rosemont (Pagewood)

The Pact by Angharad Thompson Rees (Sydney)

Audience Participation by Andrew Thomson (Copacabana)

Dining In by Jen Vandenbroek (Baulkham Hills)

I Like Curds and Whey by Allan West (Wetherill Park)

A Bicycle Made for Two by Suzy Wilds (Carlton)

Not The Real Thing by Suzy Wilds (Carlton)

Love Hurts by Suzy Wilds (Carlton)

Winning by Graham Yates (Sutherland)

International Pool

Death Pops In by Bart Meehan (Calwell ACT, Australia)

Bus Stop by Philip Clay (Manly NSW, Australia)

Manhood by Philip Clay (Manly NSW, Australia)

Benefits by Lisa Walmsley (Urbenville NSW, Australia)

There's a zombie in the garden, Frank! by Greg Gould (Thursday Island QLD, Australia)

Converse by Mike Sams (Bushland Beach QLD, Australia)

A Criminal Mind by Paula Armstrong (Chelsea Vic, Australia)

Have You Seen My Pussy by Daan Spijer (Mount Eliza Victoria, Australia)

Heaven Schmeven by Steve Wheat (Southbank Victoria, Australia)

The Next Stop by Donna Hughes (Fremantle WA, Australia)

Sand in our Clothes by Jerri Jerreat Inverary (Ontario, Canada)

Seeds In Your Pocket by Fiona Leonard (Duesseldorf NRW, Germany)

Late for School by Iain Moss Kajang (Selangor, Malaysia)

Pearly Shells by by Mereana Latimer (Newlands Wellington, New Zealand)

Brain Freeze by Barry Wood (Lincoln, UK)

Collision by Barry by Barry Wood (Lincoln, UK)

An Empowered Woman by Barbara Anderson (San Carlos CA, United States)

Sorry... by Barbara Anderson (San Carlos CA, United States)

Hope Springs a Turtle by Bill Brohaugh and Lisa Holt (Union Kentucky, United States)

POLE POSITION by Michael Towers (Westford MA, United States)

The Pessimist's Club by Steve Koppman (Oakland CA, USA)

Gown by Robert Weibezahl (Westlake Village California, USA)

Bottle for a Special Occasion by William Kovacsik (West Hartford CT, USA)

LOOKOUT by Jim Moss (Tampa FL, USA)

Superhero by Mark Harvey Levine (Indianapolis IN, USA)

Malcolm by Joe Starzyk (Mandeville LA, USA)

Would You Like a Tissue? by Andrew Heinze (Atlantic Highlands New Jersey, USA)

Thank You For Having Me by Rachel Hinda (Jackson Heights NY, USA)

On The Floor by Anthony Leiner (Lake Katrine NY, USA)

Under the Lake by Ryan Skinner (Wappingers Falls NY, USA)

Brave People by Allan Staples (Mamaroneck NY, USA)

Breaking the News by Keith Whalen (Peekskill NY, USA)

Coming To Town by Keith Whalen (Peekskill NY, USA)

Dennis at the Box Office by Brandi Eaton (Stow OH, USA)

The Murder Mystery Club by Vivian Lermond (Columbus Ohio, USA)

Office Hours by Bryan Harnetiaux (Spokane Washington, USA)

An Awkward Conversation in the Shadow of Mount Moriah by John Bavoso (Washington DC, United States)

Waitering for Godot by Bruce Bonafede (Palm Springs CA, USA)

Grimm and Bear It by Lindsey Brown (Auckland, NZ)

OFFBOARDING by Peter Dakutis (Tucker GA, United States)

A Non-Disparaging Workplace by Peter Dakutis (Tucker GA, USA)

About Felicia by Bronwyn Elsmore (West Harbour Auckland, New Zealand)

Identity Politics by Kate Jaimet (Ottawa Ontario, Canada)

Assassin by Brian Johnston (Te Anau Southland NZ)

Stan and Ollie by Heinrich Lyle (Prescott Valley AZ, USA)

Will’s Dramaturg by Rich Rubin (Portland OR, USA)

Hopes & Dreams, LLC by Straton Rushing (Sonora TX, USA)

In Amber by Graham Yates (Sutherland NSW, Australia)

For more information please contact our friendly festival director Luke Berman at luke.berman@shortandsweet.org