JUTE Theatre Company, in partnership with Belloo Creative (Brisbane), will launch a brand-new script development model when it presents 4 on the Floor, with a public showcase of new works in progress, on Friday 24 October at Bulmba-ja Arts Centre.
Developed over an intensive week-long creative lab in Cairns, 4 on the Floor brings together four emerging playwrights, Kirtley Leigh, Ingrid Monavar Johnson, Monica Stevens, and John Doolan, who are shaping exciting new works under the guidance of dramaturgs, directors, and actors in a dynamic collaborative environment.
The program reimagines how new writing is developed in regional Australia, embedding dramaturgical process, rapid feedback, and peer collaboration to fast-track the evolution of new work. The showcase will feature excerpts from each play, followed by a Q&A and networking opportunity with artists and industry guests.
JUTE Senior Creative Producer Kathryn Ash said 4 on the Floor reflects the company’s deep commitment to nurturing regional voices and amplifying diverse stories from Far North Queensland and beyond.
“We wanted to create an environment where new ideas could ignite quickly – where playwrights are supported, challenged and connected,” Ms Ash said.
“Partnering with Belloo Creative expands our reach into the Queensland theatre sector and ensures these emerging voices are part of a wider conversation about the future of Australian storytelling.”
Among the new works in development are:
• Strings of Time (working title) by Kirtley Leigh – a lyrical exploration of music, memory, and the 300-year-old violin that has shaped a lifetime of performance;
• Stationery: The Musical by Ingrid Monavar Johnson – a witty, heart-filled love story about connection and communication in the digital age;
• The Brown Blouse by Monica Stevens – a powerful First Nations historical drama set on the Palmer River goldfields; and
• Martin Grove by John Doolan – a haunting psychological drama about memory, guilt, and the cost of secrets.
JUTE’s new script development program, 4 on the Floor is part of the company’s long-term investment in regional artist development and story creation, supported by the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland, and the Australian Government through the Regional Arts Fund.
What: 4 on the Floor – Public Showcase of New Works in Development
When: Friday 24 October 2025, 7.00 pm
Where:Bulmba-ja Arts Centre, 96 Abbott Street, Cairns
Tickets: Free event – just arrive a little bit before 7pm