Queensland Premier's Drama Award 2010-11 Calls For Entries

The Queensland Premier's Drama Award 2010-11 has kicked off with the Premier and Minister forthe Arts Anna Bligh calling for entries.The deadline for entries is 30 June 2010 with the winning entry announced by the end of next year.

"There have been some exciting changes made to the format of the award," Ms Bligh said."In addition to the award's traditional call for full scripts, artists or groups of artists can alsosubmit a storyline, a series of sketches or skits, or a script for cabaret entertainment." There is a growing body of fresh, creative and insightful artists out there and this award is allabout nurturing our home-grown talents.

"The widening of the conditions of entry will provide new opportunities for different types ofartists, performers and writers to participate in the award." The intention of the award stays the same. I invite artists to put a spotlight on the issues thatmatter and impact on our lives-our people, culture, politics, history and experiences. The possibilities are endless.

"The winner of the Queensland Premier's Drama Award will see their script become a professionalproduction by Queensland Theatre Company within two years."This award is unique, no other award in Australia for playwriting contains a commitment, onbehalf of a producing company, to develop and stage the work of the writer; and a commitment, onbehalf of a publisher, to publish the new script," Ms Bligh said.

"The whole process is about developing our emerging artists. Three finalists will be shortlisted andwill participate in development workshops with industry experts." My government is a strong enthusiast of the arts in Queensland and I am particularly passionateabout supporting initiatives that recognise and cultivate the creative talents of Queenslanders.

"Since the inception of the award in 2001, 15 plays have been developed, employing more than 100actors, writers and directors, and generating audiences of more than 12,000 to new Australianwork.

The conditions of entry and entry form can be obtained by visiting Queensland Theatre Company's website at www.qldtheatreco.com.au or by contacting the Artist Development Coordinator on 073010 7607