The Noosa Arts Theatre runs an annual National One-Act Playwriting Competition.

2009 Competition Rules/Entry Form 

A copy of the entry form and rules can be down-loaded in Word format by clicking here:

History

In 1978 The One-Act Playwriting Competition was instigated for residents of the Sunshine Coast to encourage aspiring playwrights, giving them a chance to see their plays performed and to provide original scripts for the Noosa Arts Theatre. This Competition was the first of its kind in Australia.

The first winner was Nancy Cato's Travelers Through The Night and heads the Awards Board in the foyer of the theatre.

In 1983 the Competition went 'National' when the Literature Board of the Australian Council granted $500 for the winning playwright. The award, which is now given by the Noosa Shire Council, stands at over $2,000 and is divided between the three winning authors.

The Competition now attracts numerous entries from throughout Australia. During the six days of the Festival, judging takes place for Best Actor, Actress and Director, and the audience each night are asked to vote for ‘Audience Choice Award', with the prize money (donated by Nancy Cato's family) going to the author along with the publication of the script by Maverick Musicals. Presentations for Best Actor, Actress and Director are made on the first Saturday night and the prizes for the scripts are awarded on the final night.

National One Act Play Festival

From a small beginning in 1978, the National One Act Playwriting Competition at Noosa Arts Theatre has become a national festival attracting over 70 entries a year from around Australia and overseas.

Audiences can enjoy the best three of these new one act plays each night of the Festival and also vote for their favourite play.

The Audience's Choice will receive the Nancy Cato Award sponsored by her daughter, Bron Norman and Maverick Musicals.

Since 2000, Maverick Musicals have offered publication of the winning Audience Choice Award and have published these scripts each year, with the writers achieving lots of exposure and income via publication. Titles such as Michael Olsen's Two Women and a Chair (Winner in 2001) are top sellers both here and in NZ and Jane Tara's Bombshells (Winner in 2000) went on to acclaimed production in New York. This was made possible because of their exposure to other directors and countries through the publishing of their plays by Maverick Musicals

Noosa Council has donates prize money of $2000 to the three finalists and presentations of these awards are made after the final performance.

Awards to actors and directors are made on the previous Saturday. These awards are for Best Actor which is sponsored by Vernon Birch in memory of her mother, Val Warren who was a founding member of the theatre; Best Actress which is given by the theatre's Patron and founding member, Marea Brown; and Best Director which is sponsored by the McCarthy/Walder family in memory of popular theatre member, Neil McCarthy.