Ignite the Spark!
Extending the pathway established by QPAC & Playlab Theatre’s Sparks program, Ignition is the next step for First Nations playwrights to further advance their creative practice.
Ignition is supporting three emerging First Nations playwrights through a rigorous process of developing a completed draft of a new work towards rehearsal readiness. Ignition culminates in a public reading to showcase the developed works.
Participants
Jungaji
Jungaji is a Gugu Yalanji First Nations creative, advocating for social justice and mental health. As a songman, visual artist, and playwright, he’s forged an independent path, blending RnB/Soul, Rock, Pop, Folk, and Roots to showcase his cultural heritage and experiences. Following a transformative journey, Jungaji now shares intimate stories and artistic testimony, reflecting his newfound understanding of identity and purpose. With five new songs released since August 2023, his debut album Betting on Blak is set to drop in early 2025, marking an exciting new chapter in his creative journey.
Betting on Blak
“If you were to tell a very confident and cocky 14 year old from Inala in the early 1990’s that he was to navigate 2 strokes, 2 heart attacks, open heart surgery, a debilitating disease plus, chronic addictions a divorce and a beautiful son lost to suicide, I would’ve told you that you’re f**ken crazy, but that would be the nucleus, the rebirth of a multi-disciplinary artist and social justice activist Jungaji and the remarkable journey of a resilient life after many calamities. All these tragedies interwoven in song and stories illuminating the early beginnings of AIM4MORE (a 4 Pce Boy Band in the 90s) to many musical endeavours towards celebrating the cultural transformation and enigma that is now Jungaji.” (Jungaji)
Jade Romas-Lonan
A proud Gamilaraay and Torres Strait Islander Woman, Jade graduated from the Aboriginal Centre for the Performing Arts (ACPA) in 2017, with an Advanced Diploma in Acting. Since then, Jade has performed in various productions including. The Sapphires (2019-2022, HIT Productions), TIDDAS (2024, Belvoir, Laboite and SYD Festival) and The Sunshine Club (2023-2024, HIT Productions). Jade has also been involved in creative developments such as FROM DARKNESS (Laboite), The Longest Minute (QLD Theatre) and a mentorship with playwright Emily Wells on her play Face to Face (Playlab).
The Billabong Bush Pub
The Billabong Bush Pub. Let’s be honest, Eleanor and her dad Charlie have always had a difficult relationship. When her dad calls her up and invites her to celebrate New Year’s Eve with him back home with his brand-new fiancé, she reluctantly makes the journey out to bumfuck nowhere, The Billabong Bush Pub. An evening promised by her dad to be filled with “fun”, soon turns into a night of unwelcome surprises. Can Eleanor learn to forgive her dad? Can Charlie step up and be the father she needs?
Waverley Stanley Jnr.
Waverley Stanley Jnr. is a Gumbaynggirr, Barunggam, Birri Gubba man living in Meanjin, Queensland. His career began performing onstage in poetry competitions. His screen credits include the TV show Cleverman and Harrow. Waverley has just graduated from Creative Writing at QUT. In 2019 he was a part of Playlab and QPAC’s emerging writers’ program, Sparks. In 2020 he was part of the La Boite Theatre Company, Assembly program. Waverley has written his first full length theatrical script, based on events from his own life.
21st Century Psychotic
When David returns home after being released from Prince Charles mental ward he must piece together himself and begin the process of reintegrating back to daily life. But when one of his friends from Prince Charles commits suicide he takes it upon himself to reunite with former patients in the hope of finding out what happened in his friends last days and attempt to make sure it doesn’t happen again.