The Armidale Playhouse Inc invites you to submit short stories and/or play scripts to be considered for its 2010 season of "Favourite Shorts". This annual event is now into its 4th year bringing the works of both published and unpublished Australian writers to the stage using directors and actors from the Armidale district. Each week of the two week season of "Favourite Shorts" has a different programme. This year they squeezed 36 actors into eleven plays with nine directors. All of the actors, directors, lighting and stage crew are amateurs, in that they are not paid for their time and expertise however many do have formal qualifications or are working towards them. The Armidale Playhouse Inc will not be providing performance payments to successful writers however they do offer a free double pass to those who wish to travel to Armidale to see a performance of their short story or play. After each performance the audience are requested to select their favourite item and after the final performance the favourite for that week is announced in a short informal presentation. All successful writers will receive their own pair of "Favourite Shorts" and a participation certificate. They request permission from all successful writers to film the performance of their short story or play. An Armidale-based professional production unit will be filming performances with DVDs available for sale a few weeks after performances conclude. Submissions of play scripts and short stories up to 30 minute duration* can be sent via email to scripts@armidaleplayhouse.org.au or to Favourite Shorts 2010, Armidale Playhouse Inc, PO Box 368, ARMIDALE NSW 2350 by Friday 18 December 2009.

*To estimate the duration of your short story or play script it's about 10 minutes per 1000 words.

Be quick, as this one closes on 18 July. The Local Stages program at Bathurst Memorial Entertainment Centre (BMEC) is running two exciting new programs, and continuing the workshop program in July and August. High School students can get in on the act by writing a play, and submitting it into the Get Read competition. They have the opportunity to win tickets to a show at BMEC, and have their work read by local actors. Information about the competition, including an entry form is available on the BMEC website. For information about the Local Stages program, contact Kylie Shead Ph: 02 6333 6144 Website www.bmec.com.au/bmec/localstages

Thanks to some hard work and long hours by Peter Carter, Master Technician, the second series of radio plays is now completed. Yes, five plays for the Other Side of the Line series are now written, performed, recorded, edited, credited and enhanced with music and sound effects and will go to air on FM 107.5 The Local Station 10am on weekdays and 12 noon on weekends until 21 June. Everyone involved with the plays will be celebrating on this Sunday before the first play by Joan Brown called Waiting Still goes to air at 12 noon. Congratulations to all the playwrights including Joan, Ross Stephenson for True Blue Publishing, Robin and Annie by Freya Hawke, Stephen Nugent for The West Winging It and the The Strolling Player of Kikacro by Bakka Bourke. Well done to all and happy listening.