Part of Festival of the Unseen
PLAY IN A DAY
Saturday, 25 February 2023
Meat Market Stables, North Melbourne
Doors open 7pm, performances from 7.30pm
Entry: Free event
5 Playwrights, 5 Directors, 10 actors, 24 hours. What could go wrong?
Join us for our first ever 24 hour play festival, a whirlwind showcase that brings together creative communities to produce 10-minute plays that are written, rehearsed and performed in a day.
The writers have 14 hours to write, the directors and actors have 7 hours to put it on its feet. Be the first to see these fully original works, and join in what is sure to be an energetic and fun evening!
PLAY #1: 10 MINUTES
Writer: KIKKI TEMPLE (she/they)
Director: DAX CARNEY (they/she)
Performers: GABE CALI (he/him) & MELISSA GAN (she/her)
PLAY #2: BETTER
Writer: ABIGAIL BANISTER-JONES (she/her)
Director: EM TAMBREE (they/them)
Performers: BRADLEY STORER (he/him) & TAHLIA JAMESON (she/her)
PLAY #3: DRISCOLL
Writer: ALEX DUNCAN (he/him)
Director: DOMENICA GARRETT (she/they)
Performers: MEGAN SCOLYER-GRAY (she/her) & NINA TISCHHAUSER (she/her)
PLAY #4: FLAMINGO JOE
Writer: RYAN HENRY (he/him)
Director: MARK TAYLOR (he/him)
Performers: EMERSON HANSFORD (she/her) & ANDREA MENDEZ (they/she)
PLAY #5: SHAPES OF DEATH
Writer: CHLOE TOWAN (she/her)
Director: NATHAN FERNANDEZ (he/they)
Performers: ELLEN MARNING (she/her) & MADDY JOLLY FUENTES (she/her)
Producers: BRANDON PAPE (he/him) & CAMERON STEENS (they/them)
Host: MELISSA DAVID (she/her)
Props Designer: BRIDIE TURNER (she/her)
Biographies are available below.
Meet the 10 MINUTES Team
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Kikki Temple
She/They
WRITER
A NZ born, trans woman of colour has starred as Hecuba in ATC's And She Would Stand Like This (2022). Featured in “Parade for the Moon” as part of Rising 2022 at Golden Square (Naarm), inhabiting the role of Hina, a goddess of the moon in a depiction of a Tongan legend. Her submission for Antipodes Theater Company’s WINTER LAB 2022 play called “My God, She’s a Woman!” The play addresses complex ideas surrounding religion, the colonization by the church of Pasifika communities, homophobia, transphobia and the part deity plays in the lives of QIBPOC peoples of the Pacific. Burgerz by Travis Alabanza will be her first show for 2023.
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Dax Carney
They/She
DIRECTOR
A Non-Binary Transfeminine performer and presenter with over 15 years of experience for TV, Film and Theater. Can Sing , Dance and Act. Was born and raised in the Philippines.
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Gabriel Cali
He/Him
PERFORMER
Gabriel Cali is an Australian/American actor based in Naarm/Melbourne. A 2021 acting graduate from the VCA, he has performed in numerous short films and plays, including writing, directing and starring in Quiet (2021), which screened at the 2022 St Kilda Film Festival. His theatre credits include Kevin in Frenzy Theatre Co.’s MOTHERLOD_^E (dir. Belle Hansen), Martin in The Spook (dir. Daniela Farinacci), Todd in FILL x7 (dir. John Kachoyan), York in Henry VI (dir. Suzanne Dean), Witness in GABAN (dir. Budi Miller) and Antigonus in The Winter's Tale (dir. Petra Kalive). Gabriel has also trained and performed with Prague Shakespeare Company. Photo by James Reiser.
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Melissa Gan
She/Her
PERFORMER
Melissa is committed to giving people unforgettable experiences through stories. After a successful performing career in Asia, she moved to Australia in 2018 and was active in the independent theatre scene before her mainstage debut last year in Sydney Theatre Company’s tour of ‘White Pearl’. Since then, Melissa has done play readings for Melbourne Theatre Company and begun training for screen acting. She also has over 25 years of dance experience (hip hop, commercial, jazz, tap, ballet, latin, freestyle) and is a proficient choreographer.
Meet the BETTER Team
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Abigail Banister-Jones
She/Her
WRITER
Abigail is an Australian actor, writer, composer and theatre maker. She specialises in queer theatre, environmentalism, feminism, comedy, music, and reinterpreting texts of antiquity. It is her mission to create and be a part of the telling of stories that champion justice and humanity. As of 2021 she is a graduate of the Victorian Collage of the Arts with a BFA in Theatre Making. Photo by Lachie Woods.
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Em Tambree
They/Them
DIRECTOR
Em Tambree is a queer, non-binary emerging director & producer. Em undertook intensive Musical Theatre training at Centrestage, SHOWFIT & received their Diploma of Music at The Australian Institute of Music. Since studying, their body of work has grown and evolved to reflect experience in almost every aspect of theatre-making; including vocal pedagogy, acting, directing, producing, design and stagecraft. The evolution of their craft was founded by their lived experience navigating the industry as a disabled artist. Photo by. Maeve Hook.
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Tahlia Jameson
She/Her
PERFORMER
Tahlia is a mixed Australian/Papua New Guinean actor who graduated from the Victorian College of the Arts with a BFA in Theatre in 2022. Tahlia is bold in her offers as an actor and has the ability to add a specificity to every role she plays. Her fierce take to acting is supported by her sensitivity, vulnerability and curiosity as a person and takes this into every role. Some of Tahlia’s notable theatre credits include ‘Brittany and the Mannequins’ (Fever103 Theatre), 'Sacred but Filthy' (dir. Sarah Austin), 'AKA' (dir. Rinske Ginsberg at Melbourne Fringe), and 'No Laughing Matter' (dir. Tahlia Jameson, presented at MUSE Festival). Photo by Cameron Grant.
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Bradley Storer
He/Him
PERFORMER
A musical theatre performer and cabaret artist, Bradley completed a Bachelor of Creative Arts (Drama/Literature) at Deakin University and obtained a Diploma of Musical Theatre from Patrick Studios Australia under the tutelage of Andrew Hallsworth. Bradley has most recently been seen in new Australian musical Post, DL Turnbull's Early Days, in 24 Karat Productions' Sense and Sensibility: The Musical and in Creatrix Tiara's Queer Lady Magician. His critically acclaimed dark cabaret, Trickster, has also enjoyed multiple Melbourne seasons and toured to Adelaide Fringe - Bradley also premiered his latest solo work DARK PRINCE in 2023. Photo by Marnya Rothe Photography.
Meet the DRISCOLL Team
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Alex Duncan
He/Him
WRITER
Alex grew up in Tasmania, where he worked as an actor and writer for 'is theatre' and the Tasmanian Theatre Company, as well as The Village and ATYP interstate. He moved to Melbourne to study acting at VCA from 2009 to 2011, and since then has performed, mainly as a theatre actor, across children's theatre, contemporary and classical text. He was nominated for best supporting actor in a musical for his role in The Legend of King O'Malley at the Seymour Centre in Sydney. He studied screenwriting at RMIT and gained the Film Victoria award for Highest Graded Student. He currently works as script coordinator and in writer's rooms for Netflix. Photo by Ciaran Sullivan.
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Domenica Garrett
She/They
DIRECTOR
Domenica is an actor, director and musician based in Naarm. An acting graduate from both the VCA and Sydney Theatre School, Domenica has trained across Australia & UK. Domenica’s credits include pool (no water) (dir. Leticia Cáceres), Elizabeth in Guerilla Sabbath (dir. George Lazaris), Carter in Earthquakes in London (dir. Sarah Goodes) and Mia in Snore (dir. John Kachoyan). They made their directing debut at Midsumma 2023 with Protein. Domenica’s film credits include Uncanny Fantasies (dir. Ada Tzinis) which screened at MIFF in 2022, and independent feature film In The Meantime (dir. Nicholas Anthony), currently in post-production. Photo by Cameron Grant.
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Megan Scolyer-Gray
She/Her
PERFORMER
Megan Scolyer-Gray is a Melbourne/Naarm based actor, singer and writer. Since graduating Showfit in 2016 Megan has worked on a number of new Australian works across both theatre and film. Some of these include originating the role of ‘Werneke’ in ‘Moonlite’ and playing ‘Tiffany’ in ‘Motormouth loves Suck-face” at the La Mama Courthouse. Most recently Megan debuted her first play "Teeth and Tonic" at the QVWC as a part of The Melbourne Fringe Festival resulting in a sold out and extended season. Photo by Lachlan Woods.
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Nina Tischhauser
She/Her
PERFORMER
Nina Tischhauser is a graduate of the Acting for Screen and Stage Program at Capilano University in Vancouver. She has continued her ongoing training and appeared in various shows throughout Vancouver, Toronto and has also toured with West Australian Theatre Company, Fine Edge Theatre. After moving to Melbourne a few years ago, Nina has continued to sharpen her craft by training with Kim Krejus at 16th Street Actors Studio. Nina is excited to get amongst the creatives in this new city she now calls home. Photo by Jenna Berman (Vancouver).
Meet the FLAMINGO JOE Team
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Ryan Henry
He/Him
WRITER
Originally from Gadigal/Sydney, Ryan is an emerging theatre maker and actor based in Naarm/Melbourne. A graduate of the Victorian College of the Arts (VCA), Ryan’s creative practice focuses on integrating original text and movement. His work is camp, comical, and preferably without an intermission. Ryan recently debuted his one man show ‘CULT’ (dir. Kathryn Yates) to rave reviews at the Meat Market Stables (Melbourne Midsumma Festival). Other recent credits include ‘Holding the Man’ (dir. Cal Robinson-Taylor), assistant director for ‘Disco Pigs’ (dir. Gavin Roach), and co-creator of and Arnold Arson in ‘Grass’ (Melbourne Fringe Festival). Photo by Marten Ascenzo.
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Mark Taylor
He/Him
DIRECTOR
Mark is a Naarm based creative with a background in theatre, film and advertising. Theatre directing credits include Urinetown, Next to Normal, Bright Star, RENT, John & Jen, First Date, The History Boys, Plastic Pacific and cabarets Age of Stephen and La Vie Broheme. A graduate of Swinburne University's School of Theatre Arts, Mark is committed to the development of works that strive to make the world a better place. Away from the stage, Mark is the Executive Producer at creative agency, Bullfrog & has produced and directed music videos for artists including Kimbra, Vera Blue, Thundamentals and Alfie Arcuri. Photo by Marten Ascenzo.
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Emerson Hansford
She/Her
PERFORMER
Emerson studied at The Victorian College of the Arts in 2015 (Music Theatre Foundation). They are an experienced vocalist and actor with over 16 years of dance training in various fields. Emerson's most recent onstage credits include 'Write Your Own Story' in the Melbourne Comedy Festival, 'Besties' (written by Alice Tovay and Ned Dixon) as apart of the 2022 Midsumma Queer Playwriting Awards Finale, a workshop with Virgina Gay for the new Australian musical 'Silvertongue' through Antipodes Theatre and their most notable credit was playing 'Moaning Myrtle' in Salty Theatre's Voldemort and the Teenage Hogwarts' which has toured 3 times since 2021 including the Adelaide Fringe Festival.
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Andrea Mendez
They/She
PERFORMER
Andrea is a latinx actor and a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Theatre Practice) graduate from the VCA. Recent acting credits include Andromache in 'And She Would Stand Like This' with Antipodes Theatre Company, Captain Sim in 'Starship Goldstar'; a queer fiction podcast supported by City of Melbourne and Creative Victoria and April in 'Reigen' with Periscope Productions. They are also an award winning writer and have worked with Overland, the Australian Multilingual Writing Project and the Emerging Writers Festival.
Meet the SHAPES OF DEATH Team
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Chloe Towan
She/Her
WRITER
Chloe Towanis a creative based in Melbourne. Chloe has had a love for writing and storytelling from a young age, and after graduating from a Musical Theatre degree in 2015, branched into playwriting. Chloe wrote and produced her own Covid cabaret Virtual Vaudeville for 2020’s Melbourne Fringe Festival, followed shortly by her first comedy Scary Goats Tour. Chloe has also workshopped two new musical pieces; the immersive Revelation Bar with Antipodes Theatre Company’s Winter Lab and an urban fantasy Travels with Max with Be You’s Be New program. Chloe is currently finalising the scripts for an original musical drama You, Fred & the Road Ahead; the pilot episode is currently available wherever you get your podcasts!
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Nathan Fernandez
He/They
DIRECTOR
Nathan is a Naarm based creative who moved from Canberra to study a Diploma of Musical Theatre, and an Advanced Diploma of Dance at APO Arts Academy/DanceWorld and completed their studies in 2015. Their most recent stage credits include a swing for Lockstock and Cladwell, as well as learning an ensemble track during the run, in Urinetown (Soundworks), Kevin in In The Heights (OCPAC) and Stanford/Ensemble in Bright Star (Pursued By Bear) Prior to that, their theatre credits include Mark in Altar Boyz (PEP Productions) and a member of the Ensemble in Rent (James Terry Presents.) Nathan is also a director, most recently directing Scary Goats Tour at the Butterfly Club for MICF (2021). Nathan is most passionate about telling stories, supporting new and innovative ways of presenting theatre and delivering stories with honesty and integrity.
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Ellen Marning
She/Her
PERFORMER
Ellen is a Melbourne based actor, writer and theatre- maker and VCA graduate 2016. She works regularly as an actor in independent theatre and is an ensemble member of the 5AM Physical Theatre Company, touring regularly in Australia with their plein-air spectacular The Bells. She recently debuted her satirical sketch show Shticky Business at MICF '22 and new one-woman dramedy Nu- Disco! at Melbourne Fringe ’22 to critical acclaim. Her upcoming film credits include Tash in the new indie feature In the Meantime (dir. Nicholas Anthony) and leading role in filmmaker and PhD candidate Allison Gibb’s film work AI-d. Photo by Jack Dixon-Gunn.
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Maddy Jolly Fuentes
She/Her
PERFORMER
Maddy is a Perth born and bred actor muso with a BA in Musical Theatre from WAAPA (2019). She made her Melbourne debut in 2022 as Robin Starveling, in Melbourne Shakespeare Company’s production of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ (dir. Nix Bowman), shortly followed by being a featured artist of Broadway Unplugged. She has taken a recent interest in devising theatre, and was honoured to be involved in the development of ‘Supply’ directed by George Lazaris as part of the Theatreworks Associate Artists Program
Meet the Production Team
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Brandon Pape
He/Him
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR & PRODUCER
Brandon is the founding Artistic Director of Antipodes Theatre Company in Melbourne, Australia. For Antipodes, Brandon directed the Australian Premiere of 'Ghost Quartet' (two 2020 Green Room Award Nominations, return season in 2021) and will co-direct their upcoming immersive reimagining of ‘Guys and Dolls’ taking place at Chapel Off Chapel in August 2023. Other Antipodes credits include Sam Martin's 'Sam I Am' (sold out season at La Mama, Victorian Premiere), 'And She Would Stand Like This' (Australian Premiere), 'Passing Strange' (Australian Premiere, five 2023 Green Room Award Nominations), and the Winter Lab - Antipodes' annual development program for new work and bold ideas. Antipodes will present their first production originating from the Winter Lab in November 2023 with ‘Orlando’ at fortyfivedownstairs.
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Cameron Steens
They/Them
PRODUCER
A WAAPA graduate, multidisciplinary performer, dramaturge, director and all-round creative. Cameron is known for their keen interest in new work, supporting artists in all stages of their careers and has run multiple creative & networking programs. The newly appointed Ne Work Manager for Antipodes Theatre Company, they’ve also established themself as an excellent programmer having leased theatres for Gasworks Arts Park. Their performance credits include BSSTC’s Assassins(dir. Roger Hodgman), JTC’s Rent(dir. Mark Taylor) and Mimma(dir. Adam Mitchell). Other credits include: Pear-Shaped (White Rabbit/Assist. Stage Manager, Rogue Projects & TheatreWorks), Protein (Assist. Director & Sound Design, Autonomous Inventions), The Mentor (Assist. Director, Dramaturg & Voice Actor, BravoArts & TheatreWorks), Pops andIf We Got Some More Cocaine I Could Show You How I Love You(Assist. Director, Gavin Roach presents). www.cameronsteens.com
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Melissa David
She/Her
HOST
Melissa David is a Northern California native and graduate of the University of Tennessee, currently ranked 8th in the world among graduate schools with an acting degree. Melissa wrote and performed in the cabaret From: New York, For: Him (Butterfly Club, Adelaide Fringe) and wrote the book for Mad World: An Immersive Experience (DBS). She is a founding member of Antipodes Theatre Company (where she recently appeared in the Australian Premiere of Ghost Quartet) and Artistic Director of Brooklyn Runaways (where she is currently co-hosting Contagious Cabaret with her creative partner, Peppy Smears). www.melissadavid.com
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Bridie Turner
She/Her
PROPS DESIGNER
Bridie is a Naarm/Melbourne based Production Designer. Bridie’s recent credits include Set and Costume Designer for Burning House's and Heartstring's production of 'Little Eyolf', Props Manager/Designer for La Mama’s ‘Measure of a Moment’ (2022), Assistant Designer for Burning House’s ‘Caligula’ (2022), and Set Designer for UMMTA’s ‘Footloose’ (2022) and 2050 Theatre’s ‘Those Well-Oiled Members’ (2022). She is currently studying Philosophy and Politics at the University of Melbourne. Bridie loves how theatre-making engages with these disciplines.
Venue Information:
Meat Market Stables
2 Wreckyn St, North Melbourne VIC 3051
Accessible entrance available via Wreckyn Street.