Members Blog
January 18th 2010
THRESHOLD PROGRAM
My journey to the THRESHOLD program began in 2007 where I had written a short scene about an Indian ticket inspector and an Australian backpacker during a writing class. From there I joined the St Martins 2008 Creative Ensemble where I developed this scene into short play called ‘Shiva’ that was showcased in St Martins’ annual Hatched festival. After Hatched I knew I wanted to go further with this idea but didn’t feel confident enough to take in into the Comedy or Fringe festival alone.
I applied for threshold as I wanted to develop my show and have its own season but didn’t know how to produce my own work. THRESHOLD taught me how to create my own incorporated association, budget, promote my show and provided me with invaluable dramaturgical assistance. Producing your own show within a festival such as the Melbourne Fringe festival is quite daunting, particularly if you have no experience and no money. St Martins takes you through each step from establishing your own incorporated association, giving you a small grant for production costs, guiding you through the application process, through to the rehearsal and publicity all the way to production week.
The THRESHOLD program is a wonderful program that is worth every minute. I walked out of the program with my own not-for-profit company, money in the company towards future projects and the skills to produce and promote my own show.
Stephanie Sabatino, THRESHOLD recipient 2009