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Christopher has worked with playwrights both established and emerging as Literary Manager and resident dramaturg of Sydney’s Griffin Theatre company, and through the Riverside Theatres’ Breakout and Australian Theatre for Young People’s Fresh Ink development programmes, on the development of many new works of Australian theatre. He continues to work as a freelance dramaturg.

He has provided detailed dramaturgical development through written advice, one-on-one consultation and development workshops with leading professional actors on numerous plays and often directed the premiere production, including those below, which have received national and international recognition.

Belvoir Street Theatre – June 2009

by Glace Chase

Winner – 2010 Queensland Premier’s Literary Award for Best New Play
Winner – 2008 Griffin Award for Best New Play

Darlinghurst Theatre and Parramatta Riverside Theatres/Shaman Productions –  April 2008

by Caleb Lewis

Winner – 2008 Mitch Matthews Award for Best New Play
Shortlist – 2008 Griffin Award for Best New Play

Parnassus Den Productions – Old Fitzroy Theatre – Nov 2005

by Justin Fleming

Adapted from the novel Au Bonheur des Dames by Emile Zola and played a critically acclaimed, sold-out Sydney season.
Winner – 2004 Mitch Matthews Award for Best New Play
Shortlist – 2004 Griffin Award for Best New Play

Ensemble Theatre – July 2005

by Don Reid

Adapted from the life of Captain Matthew Flinders.
Winner – 2005 GLUG Award for Best New Play

Griffin Theatre Company/Riverina Theatre Company – July 2004

by Debra Oswald

This production broke Griffin’s box-office record and later toured throughout Australia.
Winner – 2003 Griffin Award for Best New Play
Winner – 2006 Drover Award for Best Touring Production
Shortlist – 2004 NSW Premier’s Literary Award for Best New Play

Tangent Productions/Griffin Stablemates – November 2003 & January 2005

by Stephen Sewell

The extended first season played to 110% capacity and returned for a second sold-out season.
Winner – AWGIE Stage Award 2004
Winner – NSW Premier’s Literary Awards – Play Award 2004

Christopher helps playwrights develop their plays.

He was for many years the curator of Griffin’s national Play award receiving over 100 entries annually.

As a freelance dramaturg, he follows an adapted version of the Australian Writers Guild former Guidelines for Script Development Dramaturgy.

Tier One: Written Report

Writers provide a full draft script and/or treatment from the project they are developing and single A4 page with notes for further work (if so desired). The assessor provides a maximum of 3 pages of written feedback.

$250

Tier Two: Written Report

The Tier Two report is recommended for more established writers, and those who’ve been assessed before. The full (5-6 page) written report meets the delivery requirements of film funding agencies, and is also useful in a broader industry development context.

Writers provide a 1 line and a 1 paragraph synopsis, a full draft script of the project they are developing and single A4 page with notes for further work (if so desired). The assessor provides a maximum of 6 pages of written feedback, including a scene-by-scene analysis.

$595

Tier Two: Face-to-Face

Face-to-face meetings are often a dynamic, fast way to tap fresh creative reservoirs and lay waste to writing blocks.
Writers provide a 1 line and a 1 paragraph project synopsis, a full draft script of the project they are developing and single A4 page with notes for further work (if so desired). The assessor meets with the writer for a 1 hour face-to-face meeting and provides a 2 page report.

$550

Tiers 1 & 2: Follow-up Consultations

From time to time, writers require clarification/further discussion with a reader with regard to the assessment of their project. A follow-up consultation (45 mins over the phone or 60 mins face-to-face) is available for an additional fee. Not all assessors will be available for this service.

Phone consultation: $100

Face-to-face consultation: $150