Sydney Theatre Company Presents ROUGH DRAFT #35: Barbaric Truth

Sydney Theatre Company's latest Rough Draft, Barbaric Truth, culminates in a free, one-off showing on Friday 8 September at 6.30pm in Wharf 2.

During a week-long creative development, playwright Jordan Shea will work with director Courtney Stewart to develop this early draft script. They will be joined by actors Alice Keohavong, Peter Kowitz, Kenneth Moraleda, Lena Cruz and Brent Hill.

When Filipino teacher, Cef, finds himself embroiled in Rodrigo Durterte's infamous war on drugs, the ramifications reach far beyond the Philippines. Cousin Lana, a lawyer raised in Sydney with little connection to her cultural heritage is initially reluctant to become involved in his plight. But when her desperate aunt begs her for help she finds herself entangled in the fight to save Cef's life. Her mission to find justice in a system with no legal checks and balances, forces her to confront her family history and contemplate her own identity as part of Australia's Filipino diaspora.

This ambitious drama examines the diaspora experience and the painful consequences of denying our histories and heritage.

Jordan Shea is a Filipino-Australian playwright, teacher and director. Over the past three years he has written texts for performance, live art and publication. His work has been workshopped, produced, performed by ATYP, VCA, Belvoir, Melbourne & Sydney Fringe, Small and loud Melbourne, Arts House, BNW Theatre, Smoking Gum and soon at Sydney Theatre School. He holds a Master of Writing for Performance from the Victorian College of the Arts and a BA in Theatre/Politics.

Courtney Stewart an actor, dancer, singer, director and teaching artist. The Assistant Director on new play Australian Graffiti at STC in 2017, Courtney was also part of the creative development for new Australian works in 2016 including Single Asian Female for La Boite Theatre Company and Soi Cowboy for Brisbane Powerhouse, both of which she performed in. Alongside acting, Courtney currently works as a teaching artist with STC, NIDA, the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences, EdTech and special access workshops.

STC's Rough Drafts support the development of new works by providing artists with opportunities to experiment and grow new ideas. Writers and directors are given access to rehearsal space, actors and creatives and dramaturgical support. They may use the week and resources to embark on something currently unscripted or they might choose to develop a script that is already complete in draft form.

Shea, Stewart and their team of actors will present the results of their week-long Rough Draft process in a free public showing on Friday 8 September at 6.30pm in Wharf 2.

For more information visit www.sydneytheatre.com.au.

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