Script-in-Hand
Script-in-Hand (SIH) is associated with Actors Anonymous (AA).
Script-in-Hand was created by Gerry Greenland and Stephen Carnell. It consists of a group of playwrights, actors, directors, other theatre professionals and theatre lovers who meet in an informal and collaborative atmosphere to hear readings of new work.
Script-in-Hand welcomes first time and seasoned writers who are developing scripts for theatre – we also read, radio, film and television scripts.
The purpose of Script-in-Hand (SIH) readings is to help writers create new plays. So by definition, the plays read at our meetings are not polished, perfected works.
The philosophy of SIH is that the real value of our readings comes from the writer hearing the work read aloud – it is then that the writer can hear whether a line or a scene is working.
Where: The historic El Rocco Bar and Restaurant (formerly BarMe), 154 Brougham Street, Kings Cross. El Rocco is a few minutes walk from Kings Cross railway station. Turn down William Street and take first right into Brougham Street. El Rocco is opposite O’Malley’s Pub.
Admission: $10 includes a glass of beer, wine or soft drink. (applies to everyone – writers, directors, actors and audience. It pays for the venue)
When: The fourth Monday each month (except April) 7-9pm. (sign up for the AA newsletter or on SIH Facebook group to receive details of the next programme and casting requirements for the meeting)
How to Join: Email scriptinhand@live.com requesting a Membership Form or just turn up at any of our meetings and fill one in. Your joining fee and annual membership is included in your $10 entry fee. Non-members are welcome as part of the audience .
The General Idea: Writers are allocated from 10 – 20 minutes for their work.
Works performed can be short plays, or an excerpt from a full length play, radio play, film or TV script, so long as what is to be performed fits into the time slot allocated.
Total reading time is 90 minutes, so four or more pieces will be read in one evening by actors, script in hand, after a short rehearsal with a director sometime beforehand.
A small amount of time is available for immediate feedback, but most people are happy to share additional thoughts directly with a writer at the end of the readings.
How to get your work read and stay informed: Join Actors Anonymous (It’s Free). Script-in-Hand membership is automatic for AA members. You can also join the Script-in-Hand Group on Facebook for info and the latest programmes.
1. Become a member and attend Script-in-Hand (SIH) meetings.
2. Email your script to scriptinhand@live.com (It’s important to read the Notes for SIH Writers in the tab above first).
3. You’ll receive an acknowledgement from SIH, letting you know whether or not your script is accepted, and if accepted, the next reading slot available and the time allocated – up to 30 minutes.
4. A director will be assigned and actors cast a week or so before your reading.
5. Help the director organize a convenient short rehearsal reading/s with actors prior to SIH reading event.
A tip, El Rocco is available from around 4.30pm and a read through before the SIH meeting begins may be an option. We can generally assist the director in organizing rehearsal space at The World Bar in Kings Cross during week prior to reading.
6. SIH actively discourages writers from directing their own work regardless of their experience. You will gain more from someone else analyzing your script. Also, to protect our professional actors and SIH’s quality of readings, inexperienced directors are not permitted.
7. You can organise an approved director and actors yourself, but you MUST organise a director before you organise your actors. If you want Actors Anonymous to assign a director, then the director must be free to select their own cast. If you do arrange your own director and actors you MUST let us know the details at writersanon@live.com.au as soon as possible before the e-News goes out advertising the roles that need to be filled.
8. Turn up as usual on the SIH night to fret, cringe, perspire, curse and enjoy.
Details of Script-in-Hand readings will be published in the Actors Anonymous E-newsletter.
Subscribe free above.
We also alert members of the Script-in-Hand Facebook Group.
