Gasworks Script Lab Showcase Nights

Watch as the brand new plays written by local playwrights in GASWORKS SCRIPT LAB 2024 are brought to life on stage!

In 2024, in partnership with Gasworks Arts Park, Melbourne Writers’ Theatre again presented the exciting new playwriting program Gasworks Script Lab. Under the guidance of Michael Olsen, writers in the Emerging stream learned how to write a short play from scratch. In the Experienced stream, facilitator Laura Lethlean supported her writers to further strengthen their existing plays. Between July and September, the writers from both streams attended immersive Saturday afternoon workshops in the Art & Craft Studio at Gasworks Arts Park. They brainstormed their scripts with their peers, workshopped them with actors, and then wrote a final draft in preparation for sharing them with the theatre-loving public.

On Tuesday 22nd October, we will present the new short plays produced by our Emerging playwrights in Showcase Night 1. On Wednesday 23rd October, we’ll be back to present excerpts from the new full-length plays developed by our Experienced playwrights in Showcase Night 2. Are you a new work enthusiast? Keen to support local theatre? Or perhaps an aspiring playwright with an idea that You would love to turn into a play? Choose the showcase of your choice, or enjoy both for less with the Double Showcase deal.

These plays are original, bold and surprising, They explore an endless array of themes – love and dating, politics and power, entertainment and the environment, feuds and friendships – guaranteeing a memorable evening of brand-new theatre performed by talented local actors. The performances will be led by accomplished directors Natasha Broadstock (Showcase Night 1) and Karyn Lee Greig (Showcase Night 2). The following new scripts will be presented:

SHOWCASE NIGHT 1 (New short plays)
Second Chance Hayden Dun
Why Is He leaving? Ryan Klein
Rosina Lella Carriddi OAM
Sisters on Fire Toni San Diego
Sheena Gets a Haircut Jasmeet Sahi
Visiting Hours Caroline Schelle
The Shrine Anastasia Warmuth
Don’t Trust Charlie Alex Lance

SHOWCASE NIGHT 2 (New full-length plays – excerpts)
The Thing About Reg Gary Helmore
The Memory Mirror Georgina Luck
Svengali Oscar Bray
Lost/Locked In Sabina Gerardi
Honeybear Tamzen Hayes
Legs Tuia Suter

Suitable for 18+ years. Occasional coarse language, sexual references, adult themes.