Playlab Inc – building vibrant stories for the stage

Playlab is an independent organisation dedicated to supporting the development and production of new work by Queensland playmakers and publication of new Australian work in general. Playlab actively operates to indentify playmakers and product, broker relationships between artists and companies, and facilitate creative developments in order to stimulate production activity.

Playlab’s programs are focussed around the development of new work that has potential in the market place – the principle, “Development is Training” underpins this. These programs see direct, targeted investment in projects by individual playmakers and companies to engender quality, negotiate partnerships and push the work towards production.

Playlab is also the second largest theatrical publisher in Australia, publishing under the name Playlab Press. With over 60 titles in a catalogue that includes indigenous, youth, and independent collections, Playlab Press has plays that will appeal to everyone from students and teachers in the education sector, actors and directors looking for a play to produce, through to those who enjoy reading great Australian drama.

We are currently developing a new catalogue that will provide much more information about each title including, cast size, genre and themes, to make selection that much easier. The catalogue will be available soon as a download from this page. WATCH THIS SPACE.

Playlab is also proud to announce Playlab Press’s latest publication …

Ithaca Road by Robert Kronk (nominated for a 2011 AWGIE Award) Synopsis: Tilly and Ben are twins about to leave their remote property to go to boarding school in town. Tilly is eagerly anticipating a new life with new friends and possibilities, while Ben isn’t so sure … Together, they create an extraordinary imaginative world, where worst nightmares and greatest dreams are vividly enacted, and the ghosts of the past return to help shed light on the future. A play about young people in transition - from primary to high school, from small community to big town, from home to boarding school - Ithaca Road unpacks fears of change and speaks to strategies for resilience. Incorporating contemporary cross-arts practices including puppetry, projections, and physical theatre, Ithaca Road seamlessly combines naturalistic and non-naturalistic performance styles in its exploration of growing up.

Ithaca Road’s details:

Cast Size: 2
Cast Ages: 15-30
Cast Genders: 1 Female, 1 Male
Target Audience: Youth, 9-15
Length: Full Length
Genre: Comedic Drama
Themes: Boarding school, transitions, growing up, bullying, homesickness, rural life.

If you are interested in finding out more about this new title, or wish to place an order, please don’t hesitate to contact us on (07) 3220 0841, or info@playlab.org.au