In 2011, in collaboration with some of Sydney’s most exciting established and emerging artists, we presented the inaugural Bare boards Brave heart. This festival of works for solo performers received a tremendous response:

 “[subtlenuance] rarely disappoint and, here, they’ve excelled themselves; in their own right, but also in showing, on the whole, profound programmatic judgement. I sure hope Bare Boards becomes a regular thing.” Crikey

 “a fabulous night of theatre.” Ticket Stubbies

 “It’s cold, it is bare and artistic director Paul Gilchrist was brave in staging this work …. but it certainly paid off. 4 stars out of 5” The Primate Perspective

 We believe solo performances are a unique opportunity to focus on the heart and soul of theatre: extraordinary acting and writing.

 So in 2012 we’re doing it again!

 subtlenuance is inviting writers to submit scripts that are:

•  designed to be performed by a single actor.
•  between 5 and 25 minutes in running time.
•  original and not previously performed.
•  not extracts from larger works, but are self-contained and complete.
•  not reliant on lighting or sound effects or props or set.
• of any genre, but explore the theme “engagement”.

So what do we mean by engagement?

Not romance. Not war.

Something like:   Taking part. Turning up. Being involved. Reaching out. Not retreating. Not withdrawing. Having a vision, and making it happen. Standing up, and being counted. Speaking out. Not confusing silence for safety. Not pretending cynicism is empowering. Not backing down. Embracing a larger vision of self. Refusing atomisation. Knowing it takes a village. Accepting responsibility. Getting your hands dirty. Committing to a cause. Standing your ground. Stepping up to the plate. Changing the world. Moving and shaking. Wholeheartedness. Dedication.

Subversions of the theme are welcome.

Writers will not be charged a fee nor will they receive royalties for performances of their play in the festival. Participation will be on a voluntary basis. Writers only give permission for their play to be performed as part of the festival. They retain all copyright and performance rights.

subtlenuance is committed to a creative process that maximises opportunities for artists to meet, share and learn from one another.  To facilitate this, we ask that scripts only be submitted by Sydney based writers.

Please submit scripts by Thursday 5 April 2012.

Accepted writers will be notified on Friday 27 April 2012.

Accepted scripts will then be matched with a director and an actor.

The festival will occur mid year at a venue yet to be announced.

We anticipate at least five public performances of the chosen works.

Interested writers should submit their scripts and a brief bio to Paul Gilchrist at subtlenuance28@yahoo.com.au by 5^th April. Please send all scripts and bios as .doc or pdf.  Enquiries can be addressed to the same email.

Check out our website www.subtlenuance.com