The History of Melbourne Writers' Theatre

Noted playwright, Jack Hibberd, founded the Melbourne Writers’ Theatre in 1982 to help writers develop scripts for the stage. After a period of membership decline in the mid 1990s, MWT experienced a revival largely due to the active involvement of lecturers and students of playwriting at several of Melbourne’s tertiary education colleges. Another factor in our revival has been a closer relationship with La Mama, which by formal agreement with MWT manages the Carlton Courthouse as a theatre.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Since 1998 our activities (script assessments, rehearsed readings, workshops and productions) have increased from 25 per year to over 100 per year and our play readings and productions commonly attract near-capacity houses. The core activity of the organisation is still script development, which is furthered by means of panel discussions, readings and workshopping of plays by professional directors and actors. We now also provide a ready access to the network of Victoria’s performing arts professionals. Both inexperienced and established playwrights will find the annual season of new short plays an accessible, stimulating and educative experience.
 

The MWT meets monthly at the Courthouse Theatre, Drummond St, Carlton. Brief business meetings are followed by rehearsed readings with professional actors/directors, workshops and audience participation in question and answer sessions. From time to time MWT sponsors addresses by established playwrights, directors, theatre company managers and theatre critics.