New initiative in Parramatta

The production unit of Riverside Theatres today announced a new initiative that will present three assisted theatre productions in an inaugural season of work chosen to give voice to Sydney’s west.

The production unit of Riverside Theatres today announced a new initiative that will present three assisted theatre productions in an inaugural season of work chosen to give voice to Sydney’s west. 

“True West will be looking for fresh ideas that demonstrate strong visions, brave investigations, inspiring writing and innovative staging concepts,” explained Riverside Theatres Producer Camilla Rountree.

Each production will be assisted with a financial and marketing package for presentation from August for a two-week season each in Raffertys Theatre at Riverside Theatres. Preference will be given to those productions with a base in or strong connection to the greater west. 

The program encourages all forms of performance: new Australian plays, drama and comedy, multimedia and hybrid theatre forms, devised performance, music theatre or physical theatre that is text based and culturally specific works.

The artists applying for True West must share a passion to present exciting and challenging work of excellence. All projects submitted for production must have significant relevance to the west of Sydney. This can be demonstrated by the themes contained in the work, relevance to cultural groups represented in the west, through the work having been devised or developed in the area or through the core artists being based in or having a strong connections with the greater west.

“There are many elements that will be taken into consideration for inclusion with the True West productions,” said Rountree. 

“Such as quality and originality of scripts and ideas, past creativity and an established track record in the creation of new work. We aim to support a lively theatre body that has a sense of ownership of Raffertys Theatre as a space, where their work is welcomed, supported and appreciated”.

Supported by a grant from Arts NSW and supplemented by Riverside Theatres, True West is also sponsored by the Sydney Morning Herald.

“Riverside Theatres is committed to the ongoing support of new work with emerging artists and creative teams,” said Riverside Theatre Director Robert Love. 

“With True West we hope to discover and launch great works for the future.”
 
The three productions chosen for True West will each have up to ten performances over two weeks between held from August to November 2011. The announcement of the successful companies to take part in True West 2011 will be on 28 April 2011.
 
For more information and applications forms are available from the Riverside Theatres’ website.  Applications close on 21 March 2011.