A FREE public reading followed by a discussion occurred on Saturday, 11 October at 9:30am at the Blackall Cultural Centre.
THE SKY IS FALLING, A Play in Development
by Matt Young
Originally written as part of Write Sparks 2024, facilitated by Kathryn Ash, Senior Creative Producer of Jute Theatre Company. Find our more about Write Sparks here: jute.com.au/write-sparks/
Directed by Catherine McKernan Doris
Dramaturg: Michael Sams
Miss Alofa: Shonee Samia
Tristan: Kendra Markwell
Special Thanks: Abbie Allen (Director's Assistant) and Glenda Tierney (Reader), Salote Malani (Fijian Cultural Consultant)
THE SKY IS FALLING is a two character drama. Tensions rise when Tristan, a cheeky 9 year old foster child, being raised in a male same-sex parented family, is assigned a Mother's Day poem by his religious, Pasefika tutor, Miss Alofa. Can the two put aside their differences to complete the assignment, or will the traumas of their past break them apart? Can love and compassion find their way when all the time the sky is falling?
*Contains discussion of LGBTQIA+, racial and religious vilification, and themes of childhood trauma, including the death of a parent.
*Contains discussion of LGBTQIA+, racial and religious vilification, and themes of childhood trauma, including the death of a parent.
This project is delivered with the support of the DARTS Creative Development program, an initiative of JUTE Theatre Company. The DARTS initiative is supported by the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland. This project has been assisted by the Australian Government through Creative Australia, its principal arts investment and advisory body.
The Regional Arts Development Fund is a Queensland Government and Blackall-Tambo Regional Council partnership to support local arts and culture.
www.arts.qld.gov.au/
The Regional Arts Development Fund is a Queensland Government and Blackall-Tambo Regional Council partnership to support local arts and culture.
www.arts.qld.gov.au/
Matt Young (playwright)
An accomplished actor based in Blackall, QLD, Matt Young is best known for his screen roles in HEART OF THE MAN (SBS on Demand), GAYBY BABY (ABC iView/ Stan) and CAPTAIN COOK: OBSESSION AND DISCOVERY (DocPlay). He has written and performed two autobiographical one-man shows, UP YOUR B*M, NO BABIES... and GAYBY BABY DADDY, for Sydney's Pride Fest at The Substation at Qtopia, and created and performed CIRCUS! A CELEBRATION IN STORY AND SONG for the Blackall Tambo Circus Carnival, Fiji Fringe Festival, North Australian Festival of the Arts, and the Outback QLD Masters' Tournament. After completing Jute Theatre Company’s Write Sparks Online, under the guidance of Kathryn Ash, Matt is futher developing THE SKY IS FALLING through the DARTS Creative Development Program 2025. Photo: Zander Bylo
An accomplished actor based in Blackall, QLD, Matt Young is best known for his screen roles in HEART OF THE MAN (SBS on Demand), GAYBY BABY (ABC iView/ Stan) and CAPTAIN COOK: OBSESSION AND DISCOVERY (DocPlay). He has written and performed two autobiographical one-man shows, UP YOUR B*M, NO BABIES... and GAYBY BABY DADDY, for Sydney's Pride Fest at The Substation at Qtopia, and created and performed CIRCUS! A CELEBRATION IN STORY AND SONG for the Blackall Tambo Circus Carnival, Fiji Fringe Festival, North Australian Festival of the Arts, and the Outback QLD Masters' Tournament. After completing Jute Theatre Company’s Write Sparks Online, under the guidance of Kathryn Ash, Matt is futher developing THE SKY IS FALLING through the DARTS Creative Development Program 2025. Photo: Zander Bylo
Catherine McKernan Doris (director)
Hailing from Ireland, playwright Catherine McKernan Doris immigrated to Australia in 1998 and is based in Townsville, QLD. Catherine has always been involved in theatre in some capacity, but her love of writing dialogue began in 2014. She has completed four full-length plays under the tutelage of dramaturg, Peter Matheson. She has also completed courses with JUTE Theatre Company and has workshopped three of her plays through Theatre iNQ’s ‘Playground’ program. Catherine’s work has been produced all over Australia and overseas and she has won numerous awards. She recently completed Jute Theatre Company’s Write Sparks Online, under the guidance of Kathryn Ash. Her full-length play THE MOON'S AWAKE will be staged in October 2025 with Townsville Little Theatre as part of North Australian Festival of the Arts. catherinemckernandoris.com/
Hailing from Ireland, playwright Catherine McKernan Doris immigrated to Australia in 1998 and is based in Townsville, QLD. Catherine has always been involved in theatre in some capacity, but her love of writing dialogue began in 2014. She has completed four full-length plays under the tutelage of dramaturg, Peter Matheson. She has also completed courses with JUTE Theatre Company and has workshopped three of her plays through Theatre iNQ’s ‘Playground’ program. Catherine’s work has been produced all over Australia and overseas and she has won numerous awards. She recently completed Jute Theatre Company’s Write Sparks Online, under the guidance of Kathryn Ash. Her full-length play THE MOON'S AWAKE will be staged in October 2025 with Townsville Little Theatre as part of North Australian Festival of the Arts. catherinemckernandoris.com/
Michael Sams (dramaturg)
Michael Sams, based in Townsville, QLD, holds a Bachelor of Arts (Drama) from Q.U.T. and a Masters in Creative Writing from Macquarie University. His award-winning plays have been performed internationally and he is published at Australia Plays Transform (APT) and Amazon. For five years Michael held the role of Regional Literary Manager for Short + Sweet International and was a script assessor for them for five years prior. As a regional writer, in 2025 Michael was a recipient of the Erin Thomas Fund (APT) and a participant the Gather program for Playlab. Michael has also recently won his first playwriting commission. Photo: Chrissy Maguire
Michael Sams, based in Townsville, QLD, holds a Bachelor of Arts (Drama) from Q.U.T. and a Masters in Creative Writing from Macquarie University. His award-winning plays have been performed internationally and he is published at Australia Plays Transform (APT) and Amazon. For five years Michael held the role of Regional Literary Manager for Short + Sweet International and was a script assessor for them for five years prior. As a regional writer, in 2025 Michael was a recipient of the Erin Thomas Fund (APT) and a participant the Gather program for Playlab. Michael has also recently won his first playwriting commission. Photo: Chrissy Maguire
Kendra Markwell (Tristan)
Kendra is a dedicated performer and theatre creator in Blackall, QLD with a rich background in amateur and professional drama. They spent 10 weeks on an event with the Royal Shakespeare Company, performing and working on Thyestes, an experience that deepened their appreciation for classical theatre. With over 15 years in amateur dramatics, they have taken on lead and supporting roles in a number of musicals. A highlight of their acting performances was a 2 person show in London playing an alter ego of someone with mental health difficulties. Although working remotely has limited recent performance opportunities, they remained active in theatre by writing, directing, and performing an original musical in Blackall in 2024. Passionate about storytelling and performance, they continue to seek opportunities to engage with the arts in meaningful ways.
Kendra is a dedicated performer and theatre creator in Blackall, QLD with a rich background in amateur and professional drama. They spent 10 weeks on an event with the Royal Shakespeare Company, performing and working on Thyestes, an experience that deepened their appreciation for classical theatre. With over 15 years in amateur dramatics, they have taken on lead and supporting roles in a number of musicals. A highlight of their acting performances was a 2 person show in London playing an alter ego of someone with mental health difficulties. Although working remotely has limited recent performance opportunities, they remained active in theatre by writing, directing, and performing an original musical in Blackall in 2024. Passionate about storytelling and performance, they continue to seek opportunities to engage with the arts in meaningful ways.
Shonee Samia (Miss Alofa)
Shonee is a versatile and captivating actress, based in the Gold Coast, who brings authenticity and depth to every role. With a natural talent for storytelling and a dedication to her craft, she captivates audiences with her nuanced performances. Her range and ability to connect with her characters make her a standout in the industry. She has recently featured as "The Tourist" in the movie NUT FARM which featured in cinemas March 2024. She starred as "Mo" in a web series called RUFF & RUBY, "Officer Kena" in the recent short film THE BRUTAL ALCHEMY OF WATER and won best actor award at the Yeah Nah Horror Festival for her role as "Shandi" in the short film RIPE FOR CHANGE. She is the founder of Mana Film Productions. (www.manafilmproductions.com/)
Shonee is a versatile and captivating actress, based in the Gold Coast, who brings authenticity and depth to every role. With a natural talent for storytelling and a dedication to her craft, she captivates audiences with her nuanced performances. Her range and ability to connect with her characters make her a standout in the industry. She has recently featured as "The Tourist" in the movie NUT FARM which featured in cinemas March 2024. She starred as "Mo" in a web series called RUFF & RUBY, "Officer Kena" in the recent short film THE BRUTAL ALCHEMY OF WATER and won best actor award at the Yeah Nah Horror Festival for her role as "Shandi" in the short film RIPE FOR CHANGE. She is the founder of Mana Film Productions. (www.manafilmproductions.com/)
Development Images and Outcome Report:
drive.google.com/drive/folders/15w3fRmXMtyryWRjGfsntC3H_2G2IGBMb?usp=sharing
drive.google.com/drive/folders/15w3fRmXMtyryWRjGfsntC3H_2G2IGBMb?usp=sharing