There is celebration in the air as local artists prepare for the South-West Shorts 2020 performance.
The collection of plays will be the first theatrical performances at the main theatre at Margaret River HEART since re-opening after the COVID-19 shutdown.
Margaret River theatre artists Carolyn Forte and Amy Johnstone are currently in rehearsal for Forte's play, 'Home'.
"I have wanted to work with Carolyn for such a long time," said Johnstone.
"This time the stars have aligned in a wonderful way.
"She brings so much experience and passion to every rehearsal and we feed positive energy to and from each other."
Ms Johnstone said she was looking forward to bringing her role to life.
"The moment I read the script for 'Home', I instantly felt a connection to my character, Flicka," she said.
"There are many layers to her but the one foot in, one foot out idea rings true for me as well as some of the trauma and loss she feels.
"I can tap into my own experiences and hopefully bring that light and shade of emotion to the piece. I am thoroughly enjoying the process so far and I look forward to bringing Flicka to life for Carolyn."
South-West Shorts is a collaborative event created by Edge Performance Writers Collective to give Western Australian writers an opportunity to have their work developed and produced.
Now in its fourth year, the 2020 event has brought together eight different teams from Margaret River, Busselton, Esperance, Manjimup, Molloy Island, and Perth to create this unique event.
One of the key aims is to connect theatre artists from the regional and metropolitan areas with the goal of fostering further collaborative productions.
"In a year when the theatre has been so hard hit by COVID-19, it's wonderful to see our own Western Australian writers, performers and crew able to get together again and create such a fabulous event," producer Therese Edmonds said.
"We have so much talent here, so many great stories to tell about life in our own home State.
We have so much talent here, so many great stories to tell about life in our own home State. I love seeing this performance unfold, it's always a very special event.
- Therese Edmonds, Producer - South West Shorts
"I love seeing this performance unfold, it's always a very special event."
Six original short plays and one performance poetry piece by special guest Sari Bennett will be performed.
The short plays are the finalists in the South-West Shorts 2020 competition.
Three of the finalists are from the South-West region and three are from Perth.
"I'm so thrilled to have been chosen as a finalist," said Carolyn Forte.
"As a writer it is an honour to receive this endorsement, and I'm loving this opportunity to direct such a talented and passionate actor as Amy.
"She is able to bring the perfect balance of strength and vulnerability to the part."
The South-West Shorts 2020 performance is sponsored by Margaret River HEART, and Melting Pot Glass Studio who are providing unique handmade trophies for the award winners.
Find out more
The South West Shorts performance is for one night only and will be held on Saturday 1 August 2020 at 7.30pm.
Tickets go on sale on Friday July 3 and are available from Margaret River HEART.
