New works emerge in Southeast Queensland!

The ‘Southeast Queensland Festival Circuit’ is gearing up for another year of competitions.

Presenting new works, short plays and excerpts in and around Brisbane, the event is ready to showcase some of the State’s upcoming and emerging artists – including new directors, playwrights and actors.

The Festival Circuit, which has been running for many years now, is quite notorious in the Brisbane community theatre sector.

Striving to be inclusive for all, multiple community theatre groups host their own ‘festivals’ where independent and community groups can enter their productions. Divided into various sections – including youth, junior, intermediate, open and the new ten-minute category – groups compete to win a range of awards and receive feedback from accredited theatre adjudicators.

But unlike most fierce battles, some of the most important qualities within the circuit are acceptance, encouragement and community.

Kickstarting the circuit this weekend is the Murrumba Drama Festival, hosted at Mousetrap Theatre in Redcliffe. This particular festival, which will run over three days (21-23, June 2019), has over 20 acts listed to perform.

Festival Coordinator, Barbara Wainwright, has said it’s always exciting and slightly difficult being the first cab off the rank, but the purpose of the circuit is very important.

“The problem of starting first is that we don’t get as many entries as other groups. But some groups said they love coming to Murrumba first and using us as a dress rehearsal,” she noted.

“The Festival Circuit is very important to the different groups who perform their plays to the various audiences and in a range of theatrical settings. It’s also good for the youth who have not performed anywhere else, and for everyone to meet and make new theatre friends.”

The Southeast Queensland Festival Circuit will venture to Redcliffe, Dalby, Strathpine, Redland Bay, Beenleigh, Ipswich, Sunshine Coast, Burpengary and Sandgate between June and September this year.

While some circuits have closed their entries, there’s still a chance to enter others who have recently started accepting applications.

View a detailed schedule of the Festival Circuit below to find out where you can book tickets or apply to take part.