2016 Poppy Seed Festival launched

The second Poppy Seed Theatre Festival launched its program on Thursday night in Melbourne.

Three Bird Theatre. Poppy Seed Festival. Photo by Jules Tahan
Three Bird Theatre. Poppy Seed Festival. Photo by Jules Tahan

Embracing the development of some of the best Melbourne-based independent artists, the festival presents four new works from 8 November to 11 December 2016

The festival co-director, Scott Major, says, “We are enormously proud to back the vision of the 2016 festival ensemble featuring a wonderfully diverse and exciting group, including Attic Erratic, Three Birds Theatre, Hotel Now and Riot Stage. They are all tenacious, dedicated to their work, have enormous respect for each other and a solid commitment to the festival model.”

More than just a presentation of theatre performances, the festvival provides support through mentoring, professional development, workshops and seminars in marketing and publicity, promotion, budgeting and touring.

Major said this festival fills the gap left by other similar projects that have recently left the Melbourne landscape, “In the current climate of uncertainty in the creative sector with limited funding opportunities, Poppy Seed stands as a beacon of hope for the future development of Melbourne’s independent theatre scene.

“Poppy Seed Theatre Festival is ultimately about collaboration, building capacity and supporting Melbourne’s artistic future. We want to help create sustainability for artists in the industry and to contribute to the longevity of the creative sector.”.

 

Hotel Now. Poppy Seed Festival. Photo by Jules Tahan
Hotel Now. Poppy Seed Festival. Photo by Jules Tahan

Poppy Seed Theatre Festival
8 November – 11 December 2016
poppyseed.net.au

9 November: Festival gala (The Coopers Malthouse)

8 – 20 November: Blessed – Attic Erratic (The Coopers Malthouse, The Tower)

15 – 27 November: LadyCake – Three Birds Theatre (Trades Hall, New Ballroom)

22 November – 4 December: What’s Yours Is Mine  Hotel Now (The Butterfly Club)

30 November – 11 December: F.  Riot Stage (Trades Hall, New Ballroom)

Anne-Marie Peard

Anne-Marie spent many years working with amazing artists at arts festivals all over Australia. She's been a freelance arts writer for the last 10 years and teaches journalism at Monash University.

Anne-Marie Peard

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