Ōtepoti Theatre Lab Playwright Programme Writers

Posted: Thursday May 11, 2023

Supporting writers to dream and grow is exactly what this programme is about.

If you're keen to learn more, or ready to take the plunge and apply, you'll find everything you need here: https://www.prospectpark.co.nz/playwrights-programme

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Angela Pope took part in the Ōtepoti Theatre Lab Playwrights Programme in 2022. She then went on to independently produce her play, ‘Lessons Learned from Hannibal Lecter’ for this year’s Dunedin Fringe Festival. Angela had never produced a play before, but H-J Kilkelly mentored her through the process and convinced her it was possible!
We're stoked to learn that ‘Lessons Learned from Hannibal Lecter’ will be performed again later this year as part of ‘Five Slices of Life’ at the BATS Theatre in Wellington (21st-24th September). By our count, that's now three of our programme writers on stages there all within a few months of each other

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Jessica Latton (Kāi Tahu, Waitaha) originally developed her work, The World’s First Lovers, as part of the programme in 2021. Since then, we’ve continued to work on the show with Jessica, through workshops, residencies, a development season and more! The show has gone from strength to strength, and we’re excited for what’s next – the official premiere as part of Kia Mau Festival, taking place next month in Te Whanganui-a-Tara.

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Alison Cowan took part in the Ōtepoti Theatre Lab Playwrights Programme in 2020, developing her work Passing Through – a play with a waiting room, an administrator and a group of dead people…
Alison continued the journey of this play, producing it as part of the following year’s Dunedin Fringe Festival. The show enjoyed sell out audiences for the entirety of its run, no mean feat during a programme of so many offerings, and secured Alison a nomination for the Emerging Talent Award at the Dunedin Theatre Awards.

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There's loads of ways that a work can continue to develop after the Ōtepoti Theatre Lab Playwrights Programme finishes. Seeing where to next is all part of the fun! Since the 2022 ŌTL programme, Ruth Carraway has continued to fall in love with her one and only character ‘Eliza’ and is slowly working on another short piece, possibly two, with Emily Duncan as her Dramaturg. The aim will be to have three or four short vignettes that can either be stand-alone pieces or performed altogether as a full-length show. 

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Kelly Hocking was part of the inaugural programme in 2019. Thief, which was developed during Ōtepoti Theatre Lab Playwrights Programme, went on to complete a successful season at the 2021 Dunedin Fringe Festival, followed by a tour later in the year. Kelly has since written and performed in two more solo shows, Rags to Witches and Lady Luck which both premiered in 2022. Kelly is taking some post-graduate theatre papers while juggling running her business, The Voice Lab NZ, family and ongoing writing projects. She has made several appearances in the Dunedin stand-up comedy scene MCing and performing at Live At The Dish and as part of a duo called Agony Pants. 

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Meg Perry-Hartigan was part of our Ōtepoti Theatre Lab Playwrights Programme in 2020, with her sitcom-styled script, The Many Deaths of Jeff Goldblum. Under the care of local production company, dollhouse.org.nz, Meg’s work went on to enjoy a residency at Te Whare o Rukutia, then brought a brand-new version of the script to reality as part of the 2023 Dunedin Fringe Festival. We’re excited to see where to next for Meg and her work!

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Amy Wright took part in the Ōtepoti Theatre Lab Playwrights Programme in 2021, developing her funny – and poignant – script, Wish Yeti Were Here. Since then, Amy has completed her Masters in Creative Writing (Scriptwriting) at the International Institute of Modern Letters. As part of her study, Amy wrote her first-length play, which has gone on to receive a scholarship for workshop development in July.But that’s not all - Amy’s play, Henchmen, is hitting the stages at Basement Theatre in August! Shortlisted for the Playwrights b425 Competition (2021), this show is a chaotic, silly, and thoughtful comedy featuring your average office job…and an Evil Villain Overload.