Here’s a quick rundown of what actors can expect the CASTING PROCESS to be like at CTDM on Sunday 26th Feb.

3.30pm - We have some special CTDM meal specials being put on at Dog’s Bar so if you want to have a delicious meal to power you through your day we highly recommend coming along…so, you show up, you eat, you chat to your fellow actors/writers/directors and friends and we all have a drink in the ‘gorgeous sunshine’ together…then

4.30pm - We make our way into the dining room at Dog’s Bar. (54 Acland St)
You will pay your $10 here and receive a raffle ticket. You’ll want to HOLD ON TO THIS, for our door prizes later.
When inside you’ll pick a line from a hat. 
You have a few minutes to think about how you want to present your line while everyone is entering and finding seats etc.
We will then get you up front on a little stage in groups of 4 or 5 and you introduce yourself and say your line…quick and painless, promise ;) 
That groups then sits back down, next group up and so on.
We hope this doesn’t take much more than 30mins.

The writers and directors will be at the back of the room, remember they have in mind how they see their characters and it’s a general casting, you’ll most often be picked by your type and personality. 

The writers will one by one begin calling the names of the actors they would like for their plays while we are all still together in the room. The selected writers exit and wait for their writer to join them.

It’s even across the board, no matter how much or how little work you have done.
This is an opportunity for everyone who wants to perform.
Obviously the more often you come to CTDM events, the more likely the writers are to get to you know you, so it’s worth being a regular and getting involved in our community. 

Remember if you are not cast, there is always next month and you can still have the opportunity to workshop with some of our other amazing writers and you will still be in the running for great industry prizes and special offers. 

After this we all go out to enjoy a bit more of a sunny Sunday afternoon.

6.00pm we will all head into MeMo hall (88 Acland St) to see what our friends and peers have managed to create for us! 

We hope this has made things a little clearer for you.

We do everything we can to make the day as fun and enjoyable as possible but if you do have any feedback please feel free to approach any of us at the end of the event.
We all look forward to seeing you then!

CTDM Team
Emma Walmsley, Pennie Brown, Rain Fuller and Wallis Murphy-Munn

Acclaimed actress Nadine Garner to judge at

Crash Test Drama Melbourne

Crash Test Drama Melbourne are thrilled to announce AFI award winning actress Nadine Garner, to join the judging panel for CTDM Round 4, at St Kilda’s MeMo Hall on Sunday 26 February. Nadine is one of Australia’s multi-talented leading actresses, and has recently been working as a writer and director.

Crash Test Drama Melbourne (CTDM) is a unique event that ‘crash tests’ new 10-minute theatre scripts via moved readings, in front of a live audience and a panel of industry judges. Actors are cast at the event, and given just one hour to rehearse before taking the stage.

Now in its fourth round and gaining momentum, theatre and industry event Crash Test Drama is attracting a wide and diverse range of emerging and experienced actors, writers and directors.

“An important step for any writer is to hear their words spoken by actors and to see their story moved about on a stage. Crash Test Drama allows emerging writers to see their inner visions step into the light and take their first breath,” says Nadine.

“I am very proud to be part of an event that values and nurtures the writer’s journey and their very special contributions to our communities.”

Joining Nadine on the judging panel is Winners & Losers Casting Director Andrew Thompson, and Neighbours Script Coordinator, Lisa Maroun.

Pioneered by Harry Paternoster and Bearing Your Arts, Crash Test Drama began in Melbourne in 2005 as a theatre networking event and an opportunity for writers to develop their scripts for Short + Sweet, the world’s largest 10-minute play festival. Crash Test Drama has since been developed by Alex Broun (former Short + Sweet Artistic Director), who launched Crash Test Drama Sydney in 2008 and is beginning to take it overseas.

Melbourne actors and producers Emma Walmsley, Rain Fuller, Wallis Murphy-Munn and Pennie Brown launched Crash Test Drama Melbourne (CTDM) at St Kilda’s arts hub the Dogs Bar in October 2011.

Melbourne’s theatre lovers are encouraged to attend CTDM’s next event now held in the magnificent MeMo Hall, St Kilda.

When:             6:00PM, Sunday 26 February 2012

*Actors and directors – arrive at Dogs Bar (54 Acland St, St Kilda) at 4PM for casting!* 

Where:            MeMo Hall, 88 Acland Street St Kilda

What:              Six of Melbourne’s best new 10 minutes plays will be on show, with some great prizes on offer for participants and audience members.

How much:    $10 – door cost contributes to prizes for the best plays, as chosen by the audience!

For more information and to get involved…

Email: crashtest.melb@gmail.com

Join: www.facebook.com/groups/crashtest.melb/#!/groups/crashtest.melb

Visit: www.crashtestdrama.tumblr.com

——END———

For more information, images and interviews please contact:

Rain Fuller PH: 0432 070 301 E: rain.fuller@gmail.com

• One play per playwright can be ‘Crash Tested’ per season – we want to give as many writers as we can a chance 
• You can enter as many plays as you want
• You must email your play in PDF format to crashtest.melb@gmail.com by the specified due date
• Your play must be under 10 minutes (1800-2500 words). We will not read plays that are clearly over ten minutes 
• Plays exceeding 12 minutes will be disqualified from the People’s Choice and Judges Choice Best Play award at the event
• Make sure that your play hasn’t been performed anywhere else in the world. Reading is okay. The whole idea of Crash Test Drama is to test out new plays
• The playwright must be present at the event (in Melbourne)
• The playwright cannot appear in their play
• It’s no problem if you have already entered your play to the upcoming Short + Sweet 2012 – or are going to – you can still submit it to be Crash Tested!

Check out a write up on Crash Test Drama Melbourne here as featured in Theatre People

We have had a few actors contacting CTDM about the CASTING PROCESS for on Sunday 22nd Jan. 

Here’s a quick little rundown:

12.00pm - We have a buffet at Dog’s Bar, just $10 for lots of delicious organic food, vegetarian options too…you show up, you eat, you chat to your fellow actors and friends and we all have a drink in the ‘gorgeous sunshine’…then

1.00pm - We make our way into the dining room at Dog’s Bar. (54 Acland St)
You will pay your $10 here and receive a raffle ticket. You’ll want to HOLD ON TO THIS, for our door prizes later.

When inside you’ll pick a line from a bowl. You have a few minutes to think about how you want to present your line while everyone is entering.

We will then get you up front on a little stage in groups of 4 or 5 and you introduce yourself and say your line…quick and painless, promise ;) 

That groups then sits back down, next group up and so on. We hope this doesn’t take much more than about 30mins.

The writers and directors will be at the back of the room, remember they have in mind how they see their characters and it’s a general casting, you’ll most often be picked by your type and personality. 

The writers will then choose the actors they would like for their plays while we are all still together in the room. 

It’s even across the board, no matter how much or how little work you have done.
This is an opportunity for everyone and anyone who wants to perform.
Obviously the more often you come to CTDM events, the more likely the writers are to get to you know you, so it’s worth being a regular and getting involved in our community. 

Remember if you are not cast, there is always next month and you will still be in the running for great industry prizes and special offers. 

After this we all go out to enjoy a bit more of a sunny Sunday afternoon.

Then by 3.00pm we will all head into MeMo hall (88 Acland St) to see what our friends and peers have managed to create for us! 

We hope this has made things a little clearer for you.

We do everything we can to make the day as fun and enjoyable as possible but if you do have any feedback please feel free to approach any of us at the end of the event.

We all look forward to seeing you then!

CTDM Team

Emma, Pennie, Rain & Wallis