Queensland Theatre announces DOOR 3 Independent Program
Queensland Theatre has launched its inaugural DOOR 3 program announcing three independent theatre works from local creatives to launch the program, following an extensive round of expression of interests that came from across Queensland.
The highly-anticipated new program aims to give more Queensland creatives the space, support and mentorship to tell stories and bring their theatre to life, including access to Queensland Theatre’s iconic Diane Cilento Studio – an up-close and intimate performance venue that places audiences inside the action.
Set to complement the 2024 Season, currently underway, DOOR 3’s three local productions have been selected out of more than 80 entries. Queensland Theatre Associate Artistic Director Daniel Evans said the team was impressed (but not surprised!) by the calibre of the applications.
“Queensland has a rich history of seeding and supporting brilliant independent theatre and we were absolutely blown away by the calibre of work that we received. The depth and breadth of the body of work meant we could’ve programmed DOOR 3 three times over. The successful productions were chosen because of their readiness and their rigour – and we think local artists and audiences are going to rally behind these diverse, divisive, and daring stories,” said Evans.
“We know that this is a very special program and the entirety of Queensland Theatre is excited to see more local artists onstage in this up-close (and very) personal venue. The storytelling is going to be immediate and electric, funny and moving, exquisite and powerful.”
The works selected for this year’s program include ‘The Norman Mailer Anecdote’, ‘Scenes from a Yellow Peril’, and ‘Wanderings’.
Opening the program in May, Big Scary Animal’s Julian Curtis will direct Anthony Mullins’ ‘The Norman Mailer Anecdote’, a contemporary three-hander that was a Queensland Premier’s Drama Award Finalist in 2022. The story takes place in a single room, over a single night, following a successful family who are rocked by the news of a historical accusation against their father, Marshall – providing a gripping and moving tale for local audiences to be enthralled in.
Next on stage in August, will be award-winning Chinese-New Zealand writer and poet Nathan Joe’s ‘Scenes from a Yellow Peril’. An uncomfortable, playful, and enlightening provocation on racism and privilege, this meta-analysis of Asian identity is presented by The Reaction Theory and BIPOC Arts Australia, under the co-direction of Chelsea August and Egan Sun-Bin.
The inaugural DOOR 3 program for 2024 will end with a look into the hearts and minds of Brisbane’s multi-award-winning The Nest Ensemble, with ‘Wanderings’. Director Leah Mercer will take audiences on a journey of heart-opening opportunities, challenges and demands, with shifting identities and changing family dynamics through the eyes of a transgender adult (Kidd) and his mother (Stella), who is transitioning through dementia.
During their season, each production will be provided six weeks of access to Queensland Theatre’s spaces, the company’s expansive furniture, prop and wardrobe store, support from rehearsal to production, a $5,000 cash contribution to fund their productions upfront, and 100% of Box Office takings.
Criena Gehrke, Executive Director of Queensland Theatre, said the program had been a long time in creation, making her extremely proud to be able to provide this offering for local theatre makers.
“Queensland Theatre is committed to finding a way to really support the next generation of Australian theatre and open the door to provide real opportunities. All of it was made possible thanks to The Jelley Family Foundation who have supported this initiative,” said Gehrke.
“It’s fantastic to be able to offer this opportunity to local theatre makers and we look forward to seeing their stories on stage in the months ahead.”
For more information on the upcoming DOOR 3 productions, visit Queensland Theatre’s official website.
Photography by Morgan Roberts
