Small town life takes write turn
A MAREEBA-BORN actor and writer has been announced as a finalist for the Queensland Premier’s Drama Award 2022-23.
Phoebe Grainer was acknowledged for her play, Burning House, which dives into the realities of small towns and exposes the darkness and unpredictability of people.
Ms Grainer said it would be significant if she was to win.
“I think I would be the first Aboriginal person to win the Queensland Drama award,” Ms Grainer said.
“I think that’s an incredible achievement, that’s inclusivity.
“It would truly be a dream come true. That would allow me to put on stage something I wrote, something that I worked hard for, these stories that I cherished.”
Ms Grainer said she received stimulation for the project from where she grew up.
“I got inspiration from the political and social conversations, you know, in my own community and throughout Queensland,” Ms Grainer said.
“I love that I get to share a story that is connected to that place and connected to its people.
“I hope if I were to win it, it would inspire other young Indigenous and non-Indigenous people to write stories that are from this country.”
Ms Grainer has a background in acting and studied at the National Institute of Dramatic Art.
“I am an actor, and I read plays. Through my acting and experience in acting, it made me more interested about art and story telling,” she said.
“I thought I would give it a go.”
Ms Grainer started publishing some articles about 2016.
“I came through writing short stories and poetry and
that’s where I kind of got into writing plays,” she said.
“I want to write stories I can perform in and I want to write stories that I come from.
“My performing really informs my writing because I understand how to write stories to be performance writing.”
Ms Grainer was one of three to be announced as finalists out of more than 200 entries Australia wide.
The winner will have their play produced, a $16,000 commission fee to develop their play ahead of the premiere production and a $30,000 cash prize from QPDA prize sponsor
Griffith University.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk congratulated the playwrights.
“Finalists Ryan Enniss, Phoebe Grainer and Anthony Mullins come from diverse backgrounds and different lived experiences, informing how they explore major themes like justice, memory and human connection,” Ms Palaszczuk said.
“It’s clear that all our finalists have a promising future writing for the Australian stage, and we look forward to seeing the winning work fully realised as part of Queensland Theatre’s 2023 season.”