Potentia: Festival of Future Theatre

Potentia represents the capstone of education and training in performance making. Brought to you from the minds of graduating QUT Bachelor of Fine Arts Drama students, this carefully curated event showcases the future of Australian theatre through a collection of performances ranging from fully-formed short plays, to work-in-progress showings and staged readings. This is your chance to experience the future of theatre in Australia.

WHEN: October 8 - 10 2024 (See below for individual show times)

WHERE: The Loft Theatre, Z2, QUT Kelvin Grove Campus.

TIX: FREE (Booking essential for individual show sessions)

Event image by Cale Dennis.

Hidden Hottie

By Elaina Mullins, Isabella Addison, Anwyn Cathcart, Carla-Sofia Prestidge, Stephanie Beitz, Shayla Derwent, Emma Hanson, Imogen Lehndorf.

Ladies, get ready to put down the dating apps and algorithms, because we have found The Perfect Man. 20 women, 1 secret man, and the potential of finding your forever love, what more could you want? “Hidden Hottie” Australians number 1 hit dating show, delivers all this and more. Brash, timely and darkly funny, this brand-new theatrical take down of dating in the 21st century is for anyone who's ever ignored a red flag.

You'll laugh, you'll cringe. You'll definitely swipe right.

PERFORMANCE TIMES: Tuesday 8th Oct 1:30pm; Wednesday 9th Oct 6pm; Thursday 10th 8:30pm.

CONTENT WARNING: Contains adult themes, partial nudity, and depictions of the mistreatment of women

Crow's Nest

By Ewan Robertson, Nic Davidson, India Rose, Harri Thorne, Alexandra Macdonald, Danika Peets, Maria Petropoulos, Ruby Pumpa.

"This… thing of a house has brought us together. Now, it’s tearing us apart. When it comes down to it, maybe we really are just a bunch of scavengers.”

Three dysfunctional and equally problematic roommates: Paul “Turtle” Brown, Genevieve Grace, and Ayva Dumas take action into their own hands when the rent is raised on their abhorrent house. Will protest and politics light fiery new friendship, tear them apart, or kill them faster than 60 York Street ever could? One thing’s certain this house – this nest - will never be the same.

Devised and produced by a group of Bachelor of Fine Arts, Drama students, Crows Nest explores the paradox of unliveable housing, all of its costs, and a very very real crisis.

PERFORMANCE TIMES: Tuesday 8th Oct 2:45pm; Wednesday 9th Oct 7:15pm; Thursday 10th Oct 6pm.

CONTENT WARNING: Contains depictions of and reference to drug use, adult themes, conversations of mental health, and frequent high-level coarse language.

Close but no Cigar

By Samara Moat, Cullyn Beckton, Caleb Hockings, Cale Dennis, Lucy Wilding , Mitchell Guyatt, Claudia Lyons.

New York, 1947. The war's over and life is starting to go back to normal. Mr Williams, a popular and powerful politician, has been murdered. How do you know this? You don’t, unless you're Arthur Blackbird, Oddette Blair, Dick Clarke, Vivienne Fareweather or Dr. Edwin Graves.

On their doorsteps laid a box of considerable size, inside, another box of medium size, and inside that a very small box of very small size. A single brick. Wrapped in brown paper tied with string which when smashed open reveals a note. All it reads is an address, and a foreboding message: ‘Assume the worst, you know the reason.’

So they each follow the address to the office of a private investigator. The private eye, seemingly flustered by the sudden appearance of five people all accusing murder, steps out for a quick coffee. Who could possibly have the motive, desire, and downright stomach to murder Mr Williams? How could they have possibly done it? And when will that damn investigator get back with their coffee?

PERFORMANCE TIMES: Tuesday 8th Oct 4pm; Wednesday 9th Oct 8:30pm; Thursday 10th Oct 2:45pm.

CONTENT WARNING: Contains mentions of death, mentions of drugs and drug use

Red Red Wine

By Chloe Hacker, Ticia Slade, Talula Van Keimpema, Samuel Connolly, Tazmin Thompson, Deborah Lim, Holly Pearce, Jamie Cameron, Steph Bailey.

“Girls… our special guest is here!”

When the alluring Mia invites Winnie to her family’s country estate for a weekend “girl’s trip” with Mia’s old friends from high school, Winnie is thrilled. She's craved those close girl-friendships all her life.

The girls are a sisterhood, with loving glances ... and strict rules that Winnie must follow. Sleepovers are sacred, and Winnie will witness firsthand the monsters that watch in the shadows of whispered stories, elegant drinking, dangerous games, and rotten secrets.

As the night unfolds, Winnie struggles to reconcile the haunting intricacies of these female friendships with her need for connection.

Do their smiles drip honey, or blood?

PERFORMANCE TIMES: Tuesday 8th Oct 6pm; Wednesday 9th Oct 1:30pm; Thursday 10th Oct 4pm.

CONTENT WARNING: Contains coarse language, mental health content, blood, bullying, violence, weapon use, and ritualistic themes.

Sunshine and Van Gogh

By Jemimah Ventnor, Isabelle Smith, Jade-Lewis Driver, Connor Bingham, Maeve Sloss.

"I feel there is nothing more genuinely artistic than to love people"- Vincent Van Gogh

If you could go anywhere to escape, where would you go? Into a painting,into the dining room of a Paddington apartment or into a person? This production explores the relationship of two lovers, Vinnie and Lara through the eyes of a dining room with both characters living completely opposite lives who share a mutual love for escapism, art and lots of jazz. 

However, as time progresses and their relationship becomes more serious, cracks begin to form and conflict begins to arise which leaves them questioning- can opposites really attract? 

And will their love for each other be enough to keep this relationship from falling apart?

PERFORMANCE TIMES: Tuesday 8th Oct 7:15pm; Wednesday 9th Oct 2:45pm; Thursday 10th Oct 7:15pm.

CONTENT WARNING: Contains adult themes, flashing lights, coarse language, alcohol use and homophobia. 

Smoke and Mirrors

By Cameron Grimmett, Carys Maguire, Danielle Milde, Jamie Dickman, JJ Jones, Oscar Ascione, Lily Shaw, Nathan McMillan, Anika Jocumsen.

Smoke and Mirrors is a daring and thought-provoking theatre production that dives into the in-between of the stripping industry. This show challenges audiences to reconsider their views on femininity, womanhood,
and the choices women make in navigating these identities. Through a blend of powerful performances and evocative storytelling, Smoke and Mirrors reveals the complexities of sensuality and togetherness, offering a raw and intimate look at the lives of those who live in a world often shrouded in mystery. This production is more than just a show—it's an experience that educates, provokes, and inspires.

PERFORMANCE TIMES: Tuesday 8th Oct 8:30pm; Wednesday 9th Oct 4pm; Thursday 10th Oct 1:30pm.

CONTENT WARNING: MA 15+ Contains depiction of sexual assault, violence, depictions of drug use / smoking, reference to drug addiction / overuse of illicit substances / alcohol, partial nudity, mature themes, and frequent coarse language.