Community & Business
9 March, 2022
Mareeba writer up for prestigious award
A MAREEBA-born writer is one of three finalists out of 200 entries Australia-wide to be named for the Queensland Premier’s Drama Award 2022-23.
Phoebe Grainer will join Ryan Enniss and Anthony Mullins to vie for the prestigious award with her play, “Burning House”.
The play is a drama which gives a glimpse into the realities of small towns and exposes the darkness and unpredictability of the people in them.
The three finalists are now in the running for the title, guaranteeing the professional production of the winning play in Queensland Theatre’s 2023 Season, a $16,000 commission fee to develop their play ahead of the premiere production, and a $30,000 cash prize from QPDA Prize Sponsor Griffith University.
“Over the last two decades, this initiative has provided professional opportunities for more than 260 local actors, writers and directors, has developed 34 plays, and has helped 10 captivating original works make the leap from the page to the stage,” Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said.
“Finalists Ryan Enniss, Phoebe Grainer and Anthony Mullins come from diverse backgrounds and different lived experiences, informing how they explore major themes like justice, memory and human connection.
“It’s clear that all our finalists have a promising future writing for the Australian stage, and we look forward to seeing the winning work fully-realised as part of Queensland Theatre’s 2023 season.”
Phoebe is a Kuku Djungan, Muluridji, Wakaman, Tagalaka, Kunien, Warrgamay and Yindinji woman from Mareeba and raised between Far North Queensland, the Northern Territory and Western Australia.
Phoebe is currently a playwright in the 2020-21 Darlinghurst Theatre’s Next Line program where she delivered her play “Jalbu Meri”.
Her award entry, “Burning House”, tells the stories of a young man as he returns home, a black family, a small town and a young woman looking for answers.
It’s a drama that exposes the darkness and unpredictability of human beings. It gives an intimate glimpse into the realities of small towns, their humid, sticky air and the dangerous, old secrets they hold tight.
The Queensland Premier’s Drama Award covers a two-year cycle. In the first year, three finalists are selected and their works undergo creative development with industry professionals prior to judging and the announcement of the winner.
The second year involves further development of the winning play followed by the professional world premiere production and publication of the script.
Enniss, Grainer and Mullins will develop their works throughout the coming year, with the winner announced in May 2022.
