@ jute_theatre . Nov 4

Write Sparks Online Spotlight: Aaron Lee

Aaron Lee introduces "The Evolution of Cooperation", a verbatim play that brings audiences into the world of a young boy navigating his fears of medical procedures. Drawing on his own childhood experiences, Aaron tells the story of a young patient grappling with the confusion, fear, and frustration of hospital visits, revealing the complex layers of support and collaboration needed from family and medical staff alike. Through Aaron’s eyes, we see both the resilience and ingenuity it takes to confront these challenges.

Aaron shares, “I want audiences to feel what it’s like to enter a hospital as a child with autism, to witness the struggle and bravery that goes into each visit. My goal is to help medical professionals understand what children like me go through and to inspire empathy in future healthcare interactions.”

Since discovering theatre in 2014 with Tropical Arts, Aaron has embraced a range of roles, from writing and acting to stage management and technical operations. His inquisitive nature and passion for systems have earned him a reputation as a meticulous planner and creative problem-solver in the theatre. With "The Evolution of Cooperation", Aaron brings his story to life with honesty and humour, inviting audiences to experience his journey and find strength in understanding.

@ jute_theatre . Nov 2

Write Sparks Online Spotlight: Catherine McKernan Doris.

Hailing from Ireland, playwright Catherine McKernan Doris immigrated to Australia in 1998.
Of the play ‘The Warp and The Weft’ which she has been developing through DARTS Write Sparks, an excerpt of which will be delivered online on Monday 11th November, she says:

“As a Celtic immigrant myself I wanted to explore the similarities and differences involved in finding a new home.”

Set in Townsville region, ‘The Warp and the Weft’ explores the life of two Celtic women separated by 135 years of history. Following a hugely traumatic event, present-day Mary-Kate leaves her native Ireland and arrives in Australia on archaeological dig. She uncovers the story of Isabella, a Scottish factory worker who arrived in the 1860s who became an untrained midwife. Will unearthing history allow Mary-Kate to lay her own ghosts to rest?

“This work is based on an archaeological PhD completed by a dear friend of mine,” Catherine says. “The story of Isabella was uncovered incidentally and we both feel that it`s a story that deserves to be told. There have also been also a lot of coincidences between Isabella`s life and my own which has made her story quite personal to me.”

Catherine has always been involved in theatre in some capacity, but her love of writing dialogue began in 2014. She has completed four full-length plays under the tutelage of dramaturg, Peter Matheson. She has also completed courses with JUTE Theatre Company and has workshopped three of her plays through Theatre iNQ’s ‘Playground’ program. Catherine’s work has been produced all over Australia and overseas and she has won numerous awards. Another of her full-length plays will be staged in October 2025 with Townsville Little Theatre.

@ jute_theatre . Oct 31

Write Sparks Online Spotlight: Michelle Macwhirter

Michelle Macwhirter, an accomplished playwright and author, brings us "Bitch Lessons", a witty comedy-drama that tackles the highs and lows of personal transformation. The play follows Ally, a people-pleaser who’s frustrated with her stagnant life. From a lacklustre job to struggles with parenting, Ally dreams of completing her long-abandoned screenplay. When her former friend, now a famous actor, returns and offers her “bitch lessons” on being unapologetically selfish, Ally’s life takes an unexpected turn. Her new assertive approach brings both hilarious victories and chaotic consequences, challenging her to question if “nice” is truly a virtue.

Macwhirter explains, "I wanted to explore why ‘nice’ people put themselves last and what it costs them. What happens when they stop trying to please everyone?"

Michelle’s experience is vast, including the play "Clan" developed in Playlab’s Incubator program and performed at HOTA’s Playwright Season, and her one-act play "The Wrong Floor" showcased by Javeenbah Theatre. Her children’s book, "There is No Magic in This Book", was published by Walker Books in 2020. Alongside writing, she has been an actor in nearly 30 productions, and her full-length play "Divorce Party" is set to premiere in 2025.

@ jute_theatre . Oct 30

COMING SOON! Kicking off its Queensland regional tour in Cairns next month, Gold Coast-based White Rabbit Theatre, in collaboration with JUTE Theatre Company, promises a nostalgic, thought-provoking ride down memory lane with one-woman show Ready or Not by Ainslee Palmer.

According to Ainslee, “Ready or Not came from the question, how do we find light in the darkness? For me, that was through games. I made up a game to escape unliveable situations, and I thought, surely other people have done that too?

“Through many hours of conversation and replaying games from childhood, I discovered this is how we survived and thrived, and now how we can talk about the hard moments. I hope Ready or Not is an entertaining journey to a deeper conversation around inter-family trauma and how we cannot feel ‘too much’ in our story,” she said.

To book your tickets, head to:
https://events.humanitix.com/host/5fbc8930f96bf0000be4d96a

@ jute_theatre . Oct 27

Write Sparks Online: Michael Sams

JUTE`s Kathryn Ash has been working with regional playwrights around the state the past few months and as we`re nearing the end we`d like to introduce the participants to you, and what they have been working on.

Michael Sams, a seasoned playwright, presents Hunters, a gripping, semi-autobiographical work that delves into complex family dynamics and toxic masculinity. Set in the remote northern NSW hinterland in 1991, this intense drama unfolds in real-time over the course of a single night in a hunting cabin.

The story brings together three generations of men—Mac, a retired police officer; his son Rob, a psychiatric nurse; and Rob’s teenage son Sam. The weekend was intended for bonding through hunting, but before any shots are fired, long-held grievances and deep-seated family conflicts surface in a wave of tension, raw emotion, and confrontation. Hunters explores themes of bigotry, violence, and the delicate bonds between fathers and sons.

"This piece is deeply personal," says Sams. "It was challenging yet rewarding to draw from my own experiences in writing this play. I wanted to capture the complexity of fractured relationships, and explore themes such as toxic masculinity, bigotry, abuse and violence".

Michael Sams holds a Masters in Creative Writing from Macquarie University and has had his plays performed internationally, including in New York, Sydney, and Dubai. He is known for his work with TheatreiNQ`s PlayGround program and as a script assessor for Short + Sweet International. His full-length play Together is available through Australian Plays Transform.

Photo: Chrissy Maguire / TheatreiNQ