Kendall Feaver wins 2018 Philip Parsons Fellowship for Emerging Playwrights

Belvoir Philip Parsons Fellowship for Emerging Playwrights Kendall FeaverFollowing a riveting Philip Parsons Memorial lecture from celebrated playwright, Alana Valentine, Belvoir has announced Kendall Feaver as the winner of the 2018 Philip Parsons Fellowship for Emerging Playwrights.

One of Australia’s most exciting, young playwrights, Feaver has been gaining recognition and international acclaim for her work. She won a Judges Award at the 2015 Bruntwood Prize for Playwriting for her play, The Almighty Sometimes – which went on to win Best New Play at the 2018 UK Theatre Awards, earning a Best Writer nomination at The Stage Debut Awards and made its Australian debut at Griffin Theatre in July.

Previously, Feaver has been shortlisted for the Griffin Award, the Max Afford Playwrights’ Award and was Highly Commended for the State Library of NSW’s Mona Brand Emerging Writer Award. She is currently developing a musical with the National Theatre, London, and is under commission to Manhattan Theatre Club in New York.

The Philip Parsons Fellowship is given annually to an early-career playwright, in the first eight years of their career, with a strong and unique theatrical voice. Feaver will receive a commission to develop a new work with Belvoir’s guidance and dramaturgical assistance.

“I am so thrilled to receive this fellowship and honoured to join a mighty list of past recipients that I have long respected and admired,” said Feaver. “Playwriting is often a difficult and lonely pursuit, and I am grateful to Belvoir and Create NSW, not just for the time and resources needed to complete a new work, but also for the chance to do so from the inside of a theatre building. I can’t wait to create a new play for the Belvoir stage.”

Feaver joins an illustrious list of past winners, many of whom have gone on to brilliant careers both within Belvoir and in the greater theatre industry, including; Tommy Murphy, Kate Mulvany, Nakkiah Lui, Brendan Cowell and Zoe Coombs Marr.

“Kendall is an exciting new voice making waves around the world,” said the judges and their decision to name her the 2018 Fellow. “The judges were impressed by the strength and energy of her ideas, and the vibrancy of her theatrical voice. We’re thrilled to be working with her at Belvoir.”

The Fellowship is given annually in conjunction with the Philip Parsons Memorial Lecture. The Fellowship and Lecture commemorate the life and work of Philip Parsons, AM. Dr Parsons was an influential teacher and mentor to many of Australia’s young artists. For more information, visit: www.belvoir.com.au for details.

Image: Kendall Feaver (supplied)