Write Sparks
The 2025 Write Sparks 101 program will open for submissions in JUNE this year
Do you have a story you feel passionate about?
Do you have a story idea itching to be heard? Consider learning stage writing with Write Sparks 101. This course offers more than just the basics, providing professional development opportunities for performance writers in Far North Queensland and beyond.
JUTE, has been offering writing development courses since 1998. In 2016, we introduced Write Sparks, which has supported over 70 writers explore their passion projects. Several writers from this program have seen their works produced:
- 2019: Sasi Victoire’s “Alice in The Antipathies” had its first professional production with JUTE, co-produced by JUTE and Masakini Theatre Company of Malaysia.
- 2020: Laurie Trott’s “To Kill A Cassowary,” an entertaining eco-warrior script, went into production and was remounted in March 2021.
- 2022: Two more works from Write Sparks program participants received productions: Sue Chamberlain’s hard-hitting political drama “Queenslander” and the working-class comedy drama “I is Maggie” by Dennis Macintosh and Saengthien Klamkaew.
- 2023: Marilyn Marsh-Booth’s powerful semi-autobiographical work, “Higher Faster Louder,” went into production.
- 2025: Amber Grossmann’s modern take on Hamlet’s girlfriend, ‘O,Ophelia’ will premiere in Cairns and tour regionally in 2025
More new works from the Write Sparks program are under development in 2025 and 2026.
Join us for professional development and unleash your professional performance writing potential!
Cost:
The program cost is $400. (the program is heavily subsidised by JUTE, and the program represents a full value of $900)
The 2025 Write Sparks 101 program will be open for submissions from JUNE 16, 2025 to July 15, 2025.
2025 DATES: JULY 21- OCTOBER 16
July 21 and 28. 6-9pm
Module 1: Finding Story
Module 2: The Hero
August 4, 11, 18, 25 6-9pm
Module 3: The Big Idea
Module 4.1: Seven Stages of Story- Part 1
Module 4.2: Seven Stages of Story- Part 2
Module 5.1: Mapping story – Part 1
SEPTEMBER 8. 15. 22. 29. 6-9pm
Module 5.2: Mapping Story – Part 2
Module 6: Plotting
Module 7: Dialogue and Action
Module 8: Putting It Together
PUBLIC PLAY READING OF EXCERPTS: Thursday, October 16 6-9pm. Talking about the work you’ve developed.
MODULE 9 : Readings- scenes of script from all participants to be read by professional actors
