Shore Lines Writing for Performance Festival 

Join us for the twentieth Shore Lines performance event, where writers will perform their original works and are in the running to win cash prizes.

From poetry, plays, songs and monologues – come along to support emerging Artists and hear original works.

The entries are judged by a panel of professional writers and prizes awarded in Open, Youth Secondary and Youth Primary categories. The panel also selects further works to be performed at the festival.

Nathan Gardiner will compere the event.

The concept of Shore Lines began in 2004 to bring together two creative art forms – writing and performing. Every year Shore Lines provides the perfect opportunity for writers to show their most innovative ‘lines’ for all to see.

There are two stages to the process – first is the Shore Lines writing for performance competition that has consistently attracted over 100 submissions from writers around the WA South West region and metropolitan Perth.

The entries are judged by a panel of professional writers and cash prizes are awarded in Open, Youth Secondary and Youth Primary categories. The panel also selects further works to be performed alongside the winners at the festival.

The writers are then supported in the process to develop their piece ‘from page to stage’ – some choosing to perform their own work, others in partnership with actors.

The selected pieces are performed in front of a live audience on the main festival day. To begin with, as was the original idea of the festival, these performances were held in public places, cafes, shops, etc. Over the years this has changed and more traditional venues have been utilised.

As a boutique event, unique to Bunbury, Shore Lines has become an annual calendar entry for writers and audiences. A small committee of community members, along with partnerships with ECU, the City of Bunbury, BREC, local businesses, theatre companies and educational organisations, has steered Shore Lines through many festivals.

A strong relationship has developed with major sponsors South West English Teachers’ Association and Stark Raven Theatre Company. We also acknowledge our partnership with  Caf-fez for hosting our open mic nights.

Over the years the Shore Lines performance event has been held in a variety of venues. In 2024, through the generosity of BREC, the event will be staged in The Cube Theatre.