The Water’s Edge

Week 2 | 2 – 6 Sept
Writer Michael Lill (AUS)
Director Carl Drake
Cast Alison Everett Mills & Steven Ciprian

Carl performed in two plays at last years Short+Sweet and both made it through to the finals where he was awarded Best Actor Runner-Up. Carl has also directed a number of hit plays over the last 4 years most recently being The Fox on the Fairway at the Dolphin Theatre. He is excited to be returning to Short+Sweet this year and is immensely looking forward to directing.

About the Play – The Water’s Edge explores the impacts and effects of early onset Alzheimer’s Disease.

Crossbow Cat

Week 2 | 2 – 6 Sept
Writer Abby Howells (NZ)
Director Padma Akula
Cast Mustaq Missouri & Ben Moore

Padma’s involvement with performing arts began in 2005 as an Assistant Director in Auckland; which fueled her passion for Theatre, Film and travel. Padma has also long been involved as an executive member of Auckland’s theatre company, Prayas Theatre. Most recently she Co Directed Mumbai Monologues for the Auckland Gay Pride Festival 2014; which received sensational reviews.

About the Play – Wesley arrives home to find a cat from his past waiting for him, seeking revenge.

Tagged

Week 2 | 2 – 6 Sept
Writer Russell Bell (UAE)
Director Jesse Hilford
Cast Stephanie Kear, Brooke Petersen & Daley Winterstein

This is Jesse’s third time in as many years participating in Short and Sweet Theatre. Previously I directed Riding the Red which was a Wildcard finalist (2012) and The Blue Balloon (Top 22 2013). I have also directed short plays in The Legacy Project (Pride Festival 2014) and Auckland Fringe Festival 2013. This is Jesse’s third time in as many years participating in Short and Sweet Theatre. Previously I directed Riding the Red which was a Wildcard finalist (2012) and The Blue Balloon (Top 22 2013). I have also directed short plays in The Legacy Project (Pride Festival 2014) and Auckland Fringe Festival 2013. This is Jesse’s third time in as many years participating in Short and Sweet Theatre. Previously I directed Riding the Red which was a Wildcard finalist (2012) and The Blue Balloon (Top 22 2013). I have also directed short plays in The Legacy Project (Pride Festival 2014) and Auckland Fringe Festival 2013.

About the Play – We’ve always had friends, we’ve always had love but now we have Facebook!

Bankin on the Grand

Week 1 | 26 – 30 Aug
Writer Chris Shaw Swanson (USA)
Director Dennis Brooks
Cast Dawn Glover  Raj Singh

Dennis Brooks is an American writer and director who has spent the last few years teaching screenwriting and directing at South Seas Film & TV School. He rewrote his last stage play into the film Goodnight, Joseph Parker which starred Paul Sorvino, Debi Mazar and Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler.

About the Play – The marriage of Buddy and M. Lou is put to the test as the couple awaits rescue on the top of their mobile home during a flood.

Leo Rising

Wildcard | 30 Aug
Writer Angie Farrow (NZ)
Director James Bell
Cast Pippiajna Tui Jane

James Bell is a theatre director inspired by innovative storytelling. He has directed a range of works from Shakespeare to new writing and has trained in directing at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in London. James doesn’t remember applying for Short+Sweet this year, so thinks the Universe must trying to tell him something.

About the Play – A jilted bride discovers a wicked payback.

Footprints to New Zealand

Week 2 | 2 – 6 Sept
Director Grae Burton
Writer Sharu Delilkan & Tim Booth
Produced by Sharu Loves Hats
Cast Alvin Maharaj

About the Play – Footprints to NZ is uniquely written from both an Asian and Pakeha perspective. Featuring a multitude of true-life characters encountered over more than two decades, this journey of displacement, culture, curiosity and prejudice, culminates in an acute appreciation of their chosen home, Aotearoa.

The Mother

Week 1 | 26 – 30 Aug
Produced by Groundlings
Cast Nicole Stevens

‘Groundlings’ is a new project created by Nicole Steven with the aim of bringing fresh and fantastical worlds to the stage. A 2013 Unitec graduate, Nicole has widespread interest in the Performing Arts including experience in theatre, cabaret, stand-up comedy, clowning and Chinese Opera.

About the Play – Rancid steamy breath. Razor-sharp ears. Spindly barbed claws that slice through little bodies like butter.

You May Now Diss The Bride

Week 2 | 2 – 6 Sept
Produced by Foxymorons
Cast Chelsea McEwan-Millar, Natasha Daniel & Kelly Taylor

Foxymorons is an all-female theatre company comprised of 3rd year Unitec acting students Natasha Daniel and Kelly Taylor, and actress Chelsea McEwan-Millar. You May Now Diss The Bride is a new devised piece for Short+Sweet Theatre Auckland, directed by Matt Baker.

About the Play – The bride has cold feet. Luckily, her bridesmaids are there to support her. Too bad they’ve never met before and have nothing in common… except their own stories about her.

Ladies And Gentlemen

Wildcard | 30 Aug
Produced by Top of the Hill Productions
Cast Andy Nicholson

Top of the Hill Productions is an American-Kiwi company consisting of Lucas Hogan, Anjula Prakash, and Boni Tukiwaho.

About the play – A look at the maddening inner battles of performing though the delightful lens of a flea circus.

Call of the Sparrows

Week 2 | 1 – 6 Sept
Produced by Pretty Asian Theatre

It’s Mah-jong night and the bets are on the table. But between the chattering of the tiles, one sparrow is playing a different game altogether.

I Wish My Mum Had Two Broken Legs

Week 2 | 2 – 6 Sept
Writer Cara Jeffery (AUS)
Director Jessie Lawrence
Cast Courtney Abbot, Kelly Gilbride, Tessa Jensen & Alex Jordan

Jessie Lawrence is a recent graduate from Unitec’s Bachelor of Performing and Screen Arts – Majoring in Acting. She was able to direct some short plays throughout her time at Unitec, but after spending a number of years harnessing her craft on stage, she is ready and excited to be back in the “Director’s Chair” – happily off stage.

About the Play – A young girl’s perspective on growing up with a mum who has Depression.

Beatrix Potter Must Die!

Week 2 | 2 – 6 Sept
Writer Patrick Gabridge (USA)
Director Matt Baker
Cast Britta Brandt, Ben Van Lier & Jamie Linehann

Matt is an actor, director, and theatre critic with a Bachelor of Performing And Screen Arts from Unitec and a Postgraduate Diploma in Arts from the University of Auckland. He is represented by Kathryn Rawlings & Associates and is the inaugural New Zealand member of the International Association of Theatre Critics.

About the Play – A desperate farmer travels back in time for an unusual solution to his plague of rabbits.

Encounter

Week 1 | 26 – 30 Aug
Writer Renee Boyer-Willisson (NZ)
Director Joanna Craig
Cast Paul Trimmer & Brooke Petersen

Joanna’s love of literature, stories and exploring ideas lead her to gain a degree in Directing and explore the mediums of short film and theatre as well as installation artwork. After taking a break to focus on family, Joanna is excited to return to Directing as part of Short+Sweet.

Touchy Subject

Wildcard | 30 Aug
Writer Sharon Simpson (NZ)
Director Garrick Bradman
Cast Amber-Rose Henshall, Natasha Ross & Brett Gribble
Produced by Cavalier Theatricals

Garrick has over fifty stage, acting, writing and directing credits to his name. After working in the UK arts scene for the last four years, Garrick has now returned back to New Zealand and has set up “Cavalier Theatricals,” a company dedicated to fostering new writers, promoting emerging talent and presenting original and exciting productions.

Harold Reconciles With His Sister

Week 1 | 26 - 30 Aug
Writer Jason Pizzarello (USA)
Director Renee Sheridan
Cast Daley Winterstein & Natasha Ross

Renée Sheridan graduated from Toi Whakaari: NZ Drama School in 2005 and has since worked professionally in both theatre and film. Theatrical highlights include Death of a Salesman, Almost a Bird Theatre Collective’s productions of The Glass Menagerie and A Streetcar Named Desire at Circa Theatre. She rejoined Almost a Bird Theatre Collective for Jeff Koons and was in The Little Dog Laughed at Downstage Theatre. At Centrepoint, she performed in sell-out seasons of Penalties, Pints and Pirouette, The 39 Steps and Enlightenment, a successful season of April Phillip’s premier production of Motel at Auckland’s Basement Theatre and most recently Elisabeth Easther’s award winning play SEED. Screen credits include Shortland Street and The Gibson Group’s Paradise Cafe 2, award winning feature films Eternity and Shopping, short films Bad Dates, The Performer and Inside New Zealand’s documentary The banker, The escort & The $18million. She has sung in bands, narrated short dramas for Radio New Zealand, children’s stories for Learning Media, as well as lent her voice for radio and television commercials.

Band-Aid sex

Week 2 | 2 – 6 Sept
Writer Bruce Brown
Cast Alex Walker & James Luck
Produced by Winter’s Collective

About the Play – Ever slept with that random guy you just met at the club so you don’t have to sleep alone? George has… Or have you used sex with complete strangers to solve your problems? Caleb has… A story about the currency of sex and those band-aid solutions that hold us together.

The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Porn Star

Wildcard | 30 Aug
Produced by Remote Fiction Theatre
Cast Mary Rinaldi & Daniel Watterson

About the Play – The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Porn Star” is a love story with a twist. Mary has met the man of her dreams and follows him halfway around the world, only to discover, too late, that he is not who he appeared to be.

Dhoti Baba

Week 1 | 26 – 30 Aug
Produced by Prayas Youth Theatre
Cast Aman Bajaj, Ram Mantry, Shreya Gejji & Aamir Kapasi

Prayas youth theater: is the youth wing of ‘Prayas’, an Auckland based non-profit theatre group that aims to share, integrate with, and enhance the cultural mosaic of New Zealand. Last year, we performed a ten minute dance/drama as part of the Top 20 Short&Sweet dance festival that garnered rave reviews and made it to the gala finals.

About the Play – Dhoti Baba follows the adventures of Gopal, who returns to New Zealand after a sojourn in India a changed man. Having been blessed with powers by a Guru, Gopal dons the mantle of ‘Dhoti baba’, a crime fighting vigilante.

Storm In A Teacup

Wildcard | 30 Aug
Writer Angela Reading
Produced by Marvellous Theatre Group
Cast Marvellous Ensemble

We are three years old and mostly over 65; we are seasoned performers and rank amateurs. We devise and present our own work as well as preparing and performing professional pieces. WE ARE NEVER TOO OLD TO PLAY!

About the Play – Vivid, tempestuous, soul-searching and completely original.

The Raft

Wildcard | 30 Aug
Writer Carl Nixon (NZ)
Director Regan Crummer
Cast Natalie Crane and James Crompton

Regan Crummer is an actor, musician, director and theatre practitioner based in Auckland, New Zealand .He has acted, directed, produced, music directed, production managed, and stage managed for plays, musicals, and opera.

Some of his recent stage credits as an actor include: “Die Fledermaus” as Frosch, the NZ Stage Premier of “Blackadder Goes Forth” as General Melchet, and Galatea Theatre’s production of “Hamlet” as Guildenstern.

Regan also has a diploma in Drama, and a diploma in Communication. In 2013 he was nominated for the NZ Young Performer of the Year. Regan’s most recent directing project was for Rosmini College at the Pumphouse Theatre in Takapuna with HOD Rob Owens.