Queer Playwriting Award Showcase 2022 Finale

Midsumma-Gasworks-Queer-Playwriting-Award-ShowcaseFollowing the Midsumma play readings of 8 shortlisted works in January, the top 4 finalists will present extended rehearsed readings of their new queer plays at the Queer Playwriting Award Showcase at Gasworks Theatre on Tuesday 22 March 2022.

Join us for a unique night of theatre, engage with new playwriting talent and have your say in the 2022 Award selection. Your feedback guides the industry panel to select an overall Award winner who will receive support to develop their work for presentation at Gasworks in the 2023 Midsumma Festival.

The objective of Queer Playwriting Award Showcase is for new queer voices and issues to play on more stages around the country, and to reach mainstream audiences.

Queer Playwriting Award Finalists are:

Emmanuelle Mattana – The Reasonable Grounds:
It is the biggest night of Melbourne’s academic calendar, the Grand Finale of the Year 12 Interschool Debating Tournament, and the all-boys team from the elite St Imperium College are ready to totally annihilate their sister school – until… The Reasonable Grounds is a queer black comedy about power, privilege and high school debating.

Andrew Undi Lee – No Asians:
Set on the fringes of Sydney’s housing commission, we follow a delicate relationship between two Korean Australian boys and their devastating fear of letting go.

Rory Godbold – CROSS:
CROSS is set within an inner city religious school of Christian origins. New teacher to the college Jasper quickly bonds with co-workers Sarah and David. When David does not intervene after a homophobic comment is made about Jasper by a student, the relationships between the teachers are tested and the fallout leads to the sacking of Jasper. In the wake of Jasper’s sacking, the characters are forced to confront their values, actions and relationships to their sexuality and faith.

Alice Tovey & Ned Dixon – Besties:
A musical about love & self-loathing set in the world of an on-screen romantic comedy. When two straight presenting leading women fall in love, their gay best friends have a full-on identity crisis.

“We were absolutely blown away by the quality of submissions this year. The 8 shortlisted finalists were of such high quality, variety and diversity, the audience and the panel were spoilt for choice,” said Marisa Cesario, Programming Coordinator, Gasworks.

“It was a delight and a privilege to present such a breadth of queer stories and voices on our stage, and I’m so proud of all of the participating artists.”

“The growing success and popularity of the program would not be possible without Midsumma’s support. We are so excited to hear more of the 4 Finalists’ writing in March,” said Cesario.


The Queer Playwriting Award Showcase 2022 Finale takes place at the Gasworks Theatre on Tuesday 22 March. For more information, visit: www.gasworks.org.au or www.midsumma.org.au for details.

Image: Queer Playwriting Award Showcase (supplied)