Countermeasures

“...society operates via powerful and often impenetrable networks…, so we must establish our own systems as countermeasures.”

Bernadine Evaristo, in Manifesto: On Never Giving Up

This is a play reading and writing circle that centres First Nations women, Women of Colour, and non-binary First Nations and People of Colour. Across four sessions, we will read plays, discuss craft, form and themes, and move into writing—using prompts inspired by our readings, conversations, and lived experiences.

This is a space for storytelling, experimentation and community. A space to explore what it means to create for the stage—without gatekeeping.

For those interested, there will be an opportunity to develop a 10-minute play as part of a potential anthology of works.

First Nations women, Women of Colour, and non-binary First Nations and People of Colour who are:

• curious about plays and theatre

• interested in writing (new or beginning)

• wanting to build creative community

When

• last Thursday of every month for four months (monthly cohort)

• June 25, July 30, August 27, September 24

• 6:30pm – 8.00pm (1.5 hours)

• Docklands Library

Structure:

• Play reading

• Group discussion (themes, craft, form)

• Writing time (guided + independent)

Important:
Payment is for the four sessions to support continuity, trust and creative development. Limited to 12 participants. However, we will keep a wait list in case participants drop out because life happens.

Community Agreement:
This space is grounded in respect, care and anti-oppressive practice.
Participants are expected to contribute to a supportive and confidential environment.

Please Buy:

“Six Plays by Black and Women Asian Writers” (3rd edition) as this is the collection from which we will be reading from each session. This reduces the need to buy different plays etc. Available here: The Nile and here: Books Direct.

We will also discuss which Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander playwright we would like to concentrate on together and then buy that script for the last session.

About the facilitator:

My name is Preeti (she/her). I am an immigrant born in Fiji and diasporically connected to India via colonisation and indenture, living in Narrm.

I am a secondary school English, Literature, History and Politics teacher of 26 years, an emerging (accidental) playwright and writer, and a PhD candidate.

Whilst I have long taught the craft of writing, my own creative practice has emerged later in life. I am interested in writing with community and creating work for our communities.

This space is inspired by Bernadine Evaristo’s Manifesto: On Never Giving Up and a desire to tell our stories without gatekeeping.