La Boite Theatre to reopen its doors for HWY Live

LaBoite-Pitch-Sessions-photo-by-Adam-John-Waters-PhotographyLa Boite Theatre will reopen its doors this November for HWY Live – the company’s annual series of showings, workshops and conversations, which invites audiences to play an active role in the process of developing new work for Australian stages.

Local audiences are invited to discover the breadth of Brisbane’s artistic talent through free work-in-development showings and critical conversations about the arts sector, or seize the opportunity to get involved through participation in workshops facilitated by leading national and international industry professionals.

In partnership with Brisbane Airport Corporation and Screen QLD, HWY Live follows on from La Boite’s HWY Festival, which took place in March and closed prematurely due to COVID-19 restrictions.

La Boite Creative Producer, Sanja Simic, is excited to re-program cancelled works and welcome back artists and the general public for live showings, while continuing to support emerging to mid-career artists with a platform for development.

“The heart of La Boite’s HWY Program remains the same: providing a pipeline for new work and ideas, increasing employment opportunities for local artists, and offering a platform for ongoing conversation about theatre, in real time,” said Ms Simic. “We’re thrilled to roll out the next phase of the HWY program in November, showcasing a diverse cross-section of Brisbane artists and new work in our spaces.”

During the three-week period, HWY Live’s program will feature six showings, three workshops and three conversations, with all showings and conversations remaining free of charge for audiences.

Program highlights include Anita Heiss’ Tiddas – having its first public outcome in a play reading format; screenings and activations in La Boite’s forecourt; and local playwrights pitching their stage-to-screen adaptions for a chance to make a feature film in 2021 – through La Boite’s partnership with Screen QLD.

“Alongside participation in the development of new works, we invite audiences to enter a discursive space through our conversation series and participate in our practical skills workshops with industry powerhouses, including Sarah Houbolt, Louise Gough and Wendall Thomas,” said Ms Simic.


La Boite Theatre’s HWY Live will run from 5 – 21 November in accordance with the theatre’s COVID Safe Industry Plan, to ensure the health and safety of artists, employees and audiences onsite.
For further information and full program, visit: www.laboite.com.au for details.

Image: Pitch Sessions – photo by Adam John Waters Photography