Women of the Riverina: Submissions and Workshops

Do you want to be part of a cross-cultural script written by women in the Riverina?

We invite all women of all ages to connect and create, workshop or submit short monologues (800 words) that unveil heartfelt narratives, probe our dramatic past and paint a vision for our collective future. The story must showcase the strengths of all the region's women - First Nations, diverse, queer, rural, urban, young and old. We're looking for stories that celebrate women's survival and resilience, their past and dreams for the future.

The workshops combine creativity with therapeutic peer-to-peer storytelling sharing unique lived experiences, that builds connection and expression.  The workshops boost people's social and emotional wellbeing, build friendships and increase self-confidence.They are a safe space for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, women from diverse cultures and from the LGBTQI+ community.

Selected stories will form a powerful multi-arts theatrical production with projection and commissioned music toured by professional actors and musicians to KXT Broadway Theatre in November 2024, Wagga Wagga Art Gallery and Melbourne. 

The region is broadly inclusive of all villages and towns in and around Albury, Wagga Wagga, Leeton, Griffith, Junee, Narrandera, Deniliquin, Hay, and Condobolin.

IS YOUR STORY READY? HOW TO SUBMIT.

1. READ THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS BELOW.

2. CLICK GET TICKETS ABOVE AND FILL IN YOUR DETAILS SO WE KNOW WHO YOU ARE AND THAT YOU HAVE ACCEPTED THE CONDITIONS. 

3. EMAIL YOUR SCRIPT as a PDF to monologue@optusnet.com.au

The deadline for the submission of stories is 31 August 2024.

WANT TO WORKSHOP A STORY? REGISTER FOR THESE WORKSHOPS

We will be hosting creative sessions and writing workshops from July 23 - 28 in Wagga. These sessions welcome and support all women who are working on stories/want to create a new one/want to read their stories. No previous experience required. All levels are welcome from beginner to experienced. 

WHO IS LEADING THE PROJECT?

The project is led by a collaborative group with three strong years of partnership in the Riverina, managed by Voices of Women (VOW). The key group is Aunty Cheryl Penrith OAM, Curious Rabbit Director Vicki Burkinshaw and Voices of Women Artistic Director Lliane Clarke.

They are supported by Multicultural Council of Wagga Wagga, writer/performer and refugee advocate Haya Arzidin, Eastern Riverina Arts, Oddball Theatre Director Saasha McMillan, Wagga Wagga Art Gallery, Booranga Writers’ Centre, Eastern Riverina Arts and First Nations Australia Writers Network. New relationships will also be built, while existing ones strengthened and we welcome all collaborations.

Contact us at monologue@optusnet.com.au if you would like more information. 

TERMS AND CONDITIONS WOMEN OF THE RIVERINA 2024

• Closing date is 11.59pm EST, 31 August 2024
• Late entries will not be accepted. There is no cost to submit your story.
• All women and young women with a connection to the Riverina Region of NSW are welcome to enter (over 16 years of age). The writer must have a connection to the region - living there, spending time there, working there.
• Stories must be the original work of the author and must not have been published before or be subject to a previous publishing agreement or infringe any copyright or licence or any other right of any person including defamation.
• Entry must be 800 words maximum and no longer than three minutes spoken.
• Your submitted story must be in the first person and be spoken in a woman’s voice, which includes female-identifying women, trans women and non binary voices.
• An author may submit unlimited entries, but each entry must be accompanied by an entry form.
• All stories will be eligible for Highly Commended and Selected Awards. 
• All stories Selected by the Editorial Panel for Performance will receive $100.00 AUS. This includes a performance fee.  
• All writers receive free tickets to any performances.
  
• Submission of the story gives permission for the piece to be performed in Women of the Riverina ticketed live events in Australia. 
• Entries may be read on the Voices of Women podcast on Apple Podcasts. 
• Stories will remain the copyright of the author. We ask that the stories are not published until after they appear in the events.
• This agreement does not include publication. Any publication of the stories will be subject to a separate agreement between the writer and a publisher.
• Some edits may be required for the writers to take on board during the assessment period and actor rehearsals.
• Entries will not be returned. Keep a copy of your entry for your own reference.
• Voices of Women takes no responsibility for lost or misdirected entries.
• Please note that as part of the submission process you will be automatically subscribed to our newsletter, from which you may unsubscribe at any time.
• Contact: Lliane Clarke, Artistic Director
  Voices of Women Incorporated
  Email: monologue@optusnet.com.au