Here. Now. Feast. is a literary showcase celebrating the voices of queer regional young people from across South Australia. Featuring readings of new poetry, stories, letters, speeches, and scripts commissioned and presented by Writers SA and D’faces for Feast Festival 2022.
We are delighted to announce the selected writers for Here. Now. Feast. Seven (7) LGBTQIA+ writers aged 15 -29 from across regional South Australia have been commissioned through an open submissions process to create new short pieces to be presented in a special showcase event for Feast Festival this November.
The selected writers are:
Natalie Anderson
Natalie Anderson is an emerging multidisciplinary artist from Whyalla who uses painting, drawing, textiles, writing and photography to discuss the need for mental health support in the regions. She’s had a long-term fascination with mortality and the ephemerality of living, which influences her style both in writing and photography. Natalie has been involved in theatre in prop building and technical support, and she has contributed as a storyteller to D’faces projects including Burn Your Postcards and The Totally Unofficial and Classified Guide to Surviving The Impossible, and has contributed as an illustrator for the Write a Book in a Day competition for the Kids’ Cancer Project.
Sebastian Hubner
Sebastian Hubner found their love for writing and performing after developing Tourette’s syndrome and finding support in their local youth arts centre. They draw on experiences of disability, queerness, and living in the regions to reach out to people with similar experiences and show them they’re not alone. They compare their experience of Tourette’s to having a sign in front of their face – people see the disability before the person. He loves world-building and collaborative storytelling, so he plays and writes campaigns for three queer DnD groups.
Emma Richardson
Emma Richardson is an emerging writer and theatre maker living in rural South Australia. In 2019 Emma was involved in Carclew/Country Arts SA’s Writing Place, where their monologue ‘It’s Not a Bad Word’ was published by Currency Press. For the Adelaide Fringe Festival 2021, Emma was assistant director, actor and contributing writer for ‘Lockdown’ a play created by the Expressway Arts ensemble, which Emma has been a member of since 2014. Emma is passionate about telling authentic queer stories that highlight the full spectrum of the LGBTQ+ community, and hopes to use these narratives to bring a sense of belonging and connectedness to those who need it most.
Olivia Aston
Olivia Aston is an emerging young queer writer based in regional South Australia, with a keen interest in social justice and fantasy fiction. She is currently in her final year of high school and intends to study law in the very near future. She is particularly interested in using fiction to not only create safe spaces but also using it as a platform for addressing societal issues. She does this through her own work, regularly writing protest and spoken word poetry as well as writing a dark fantasy novel about vampire, fae and finding your place in the world.
Rebecca Aspey
Rebecca Aspey is a 20-year-old University Student from Whyalla, South Australia. With a love for everything creative, Rebecca spends their time reading, writing, or performing music whenever they can. Their personal favourite things to write include, Fantasy & Young Adult short stories, as well as poetry.
Rowen Hurrell
Rowen is a trans 15-year-old from Renmark. They write a combination of short horror and fantasy stories, and slam poetry mainly focused around being queer. They are also in the process of writing a fantasy novel including accurate queer representation. Rowen enjoys and participates in other creative activities, such as drawing, painting, music, cross stitch, embroidery, and theatre. They are also a member of the Riverland Youth Theatre’s Teen Ensemble.
Shania Richards
The Hon, Lady Shania Janet-Shayne Richards is a 23 years old Wongutha, Mirning, Barngarla, Ndaju, Bulang woman. Raised between Kalgoorlie, Esperance, Kambalda West, & Port Lincoln. She is extremely family oriented. Graduated from the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts as an Aboriginal Performer, An apprentice Chef (CEG), Aspiring Author, Singer/Songwriter, Contemporary Indigenous Artist and A Cultural Heritage Consultant (BDAC). Also she’s no stranger to the uglier side of humanity. Having endured extreme hardships throughout her life. She wants a better brighter future for the next generations. Shania hopes that she can use her own personal experiences, understanding, and awareness to help achieve the greater good.
*
Here. Now. Feast will be presented in Whyalla and online on November 19th 2022 at 7pm. Save the date and join the Writers SA enews here for updates.
We are inviting all LGBTQIA+ young people aged 15 – 29 in regional South Australia to write and submit a letter to your past or future self via Dear You. Five of these letters will be read at Here. Now. Feast with a selection to also be published anonymously into a soft cover zine . Submissions are open until the 17th October. Submit your letter here.
