New commission 5+5 announced

Performing Lines is excited to announce the commissioning of a brand new project bringing together five diverse writers to tell a story straight from the heart of Western Sydney.

5 + 5 (five plus five) is a new collaborative writing project that will see national creative producers Performing Lines partner with Sweatshop Western Sydney Literary Movement, with commissioning partner PlayWriting Australia.

Sweatshop Director Dr Michael Mohammed Ahmad (performer, writer and author of the recently released The Lebs) will work with:

• Maryam Azam, a Pakistani-Australian Muslim writer from Kellyville
• Winnie Dunn, a Tongan-Australian writer from Mt Druitt
• Shirley Le, a Vietnamese-Australian writer from Yagoona
• Stephen Pham, a Vietnamese-Australian writer from Cabramatta
• Peter Polites, a Greek-Australian writer from Bankstown

Together they will create five different stories, weaving them together to create a snapshot of contemporary life in Western Sydney.

Performing Lines’ Executive Producer Marion Potts said the company is committed to identifying and supporting artists that give voice to the diversity of the Australian experience.

“The writing of these artists resonates with an astute sense of place and connection, delving into the shared experiences of so many who are navigating the tensions and challenges of mixed cultural mores and behaviours,” Potts said.

“At a time of increasing division within our community, we need brave and challenging artists who shine a light on and celebrate our differences so that we may find commonalities.”

Project Coordinator Michael Mohammed Ahmad said this project was providing a vital opportunity for diverse writers to experience creating live performance, allowing different audiences to experience their work.

“We are yet to see the kind of self-determined Australian theatre that accurately represents the colour of our nation,” Ahmad said.

“This project will lead the way in producing new, uncompromising, and cutting-edge theatre which places diversity and identity at the centre of our national debate.”

Development will take place throughout 2018 in partnership with Playwriting Australia, with premiere in late 2019 or early 2020.

“There’s little that is as ambitious as 5 playwrights creating a new work together- Ignition is about ambition. Playwriting Australia is simply thrilled to be part of the collaboration which is at the intersection of interesting collaborative approaches, the development of new forms and the identity of contemporary Australia” said Michelle Kotevski, General Manager of Playwriting Australia

For all media enquiries:
Thom Smyth
Marketing Manager | Performing Lines
marketing@performinglines.org.au | 02 9319 0066