2010 New Directions Program

Two young directors were selected in January 2010 to participate in this inaugral program. Carl Gregory and Greg Gorton were selected to participate in this new program, which is designed to complement our Emerging Writers Program (currently in its second year), and has been developed out of a need expressed by young local directors who need outlets to help them bridge the gap between interest and experience.

Carl and Greg will each work as Associate Director on one major Tantrum production in 2010 before being given the opportunity to direct for the company in 2011. The directors will work on a proposal throughout the year of a work they want to direct in 2011 – this may be a proposal for a new work, or it may be for a production of an extant work.

Each director will also be seconded for a period of one week to a professional production rehearsing in Sydney. In January, Carl observed Marion Potts directing John Bell in Bell Shakespeare’s King Lear (25-29 January). The second production is yet to be confirmed.

This program is facilitated by Tantrum’s Artistic Director, Brendan O’Connell, and will be assessed at its conclusion through a formal written report made by each of the participants, in addition to an informal face-to-face feedback session.

Emerging Writers Program

Four young writers were selected in February 2009 to participate in our Emerging Writers Program, and were given the opportunity to be mentored by four of Australia's finest playwrights - Raimondo Cortese, Lally Katz, Ross Mueller and Alana Valentine - culminating in the creation and presentation of four new short plays as part of our Act One showcase.

The four young local writers are Dean Blackford, Sarah Gaul, Brad McDonald and Penelope Kentish.

In February, Sarah and Penelope undertook internships under Playwriting Australia at the National Play Festival in Brisbane. For two weeks they sat in on the rehearsal room of new plays being developed by some of Australa's most predominant writers, working with directors and actors. They were then assistant stage managerrs duing the showcase season. This experience was very worthwhile for both Sarah and Penelope in their want for professional practice and development.

In February 2010, Sarah left the program to study in Canberra and we wish her all the best.

It will come as no surprise to anyone who knows Dean Blackford that he wrote a play about a soldier. Dean has shown a fascination with the army since his youth. Now he is a Private in the Royal Australian Infantry Corp. He is also a Bachelor of Arts student at the University of Newcastle. Dean has acted in university productions Narrow Road to the Deep North and Oh, What a Lovely War!. He joined Tantrum Theatre in late 2008 and has appeared in Spurt of Blood, Peepshow and something like lost, something like found.

Penelope Kentish grew up in Newcastle, where she trained in dance and performed in youth theatre productions. Her love of the stage took her to Bathurst, where she completed a Bachelor of Arts (Communication – Theatre/Media) at Charles Sturt University. It was here that she studied scriptwriting and wrote and choreographed her first play, We Suck Young Blood. Penelope works as a drama tutor and in 2009 was a participant in two programs for young writers – Tantrum’s Emerging Writers Program and atyp’s Fresh Ink.

Brad McDonald completed a BA in Literary Performance at the University of Newcastle and is now studying Masters of Teaching. He joined Tantrum Theatre’s Senior Ensemble at the beginning of 2009, devising Peepshow. Before being given the opportunity to participate in the Emerging Writers Program, Brad had written short stories, poems, monologues and film scripts, and is privileged to have this opportunity to participate in such a program.

Mentorships in 2010

Tantrum is committed to providing hands on experiences for young and emerging artists. Building on our successful 2009 mentorship program, Tantrum will offer young artists at various stages of their professional development mentorship opportunities with the company. Mentorees will assist and observe their mentors on the first two productions of 2010 before making their own mark and trying out their new-found skills with a curated performance season arising from the Emerging Writers Program.

The mentorships on offer will include Direction and Design, and additionally Tantrum’s Administrator will mentor a young arts worker in Arts Administration. All mentorees will be offered the position of Artistic Associate, providing leadership for other members, in addition to support and artistic advice for the Artistic Director – the position of Artistic Associate will commence after each mentorship has concluded, and will last for a period of three months.