Grassroots is undergoing an exciting expansion
applications for the 2021 readings will open later in 2020

The Grassroots Initiative Readings are designed for writers ready to take their work to the next level. Drawing on a wealth of experience and knowledge from within the industry, successful applicants will be invited to present a rehearsed reading of the first 30 minutes of their musical to an intimate audience of Home Grown supporters and a small panel of hand selected industry experts. What follows is a private feedback session where the panel will examine your work purely based on its merits as a piece of writing, offer help and constructive advice for how to improve and challenge ideas as to where to go next. 

What sets this process apart is its focus on the development of the writing and the writer. Feedback will therefore be focused on improving the craft, form, style and heart of your writing. In this way, The Grassroots Initiative is the perfect way to develop the quality of the writing of your piece before proceeding to stage a workshop production, or working towards rehearsing a public showing. Likewise, this would also be useful for productions which may have already seen a workshop and would like industry feedback on the rewrites undertaken since.

Non-successful applicants are encouraged to apply for the next block, however will be required to submit an updated draft to their previous submission with a brief cover letter outlining changes and improvements undertaken.

successful applicants RECEIVE:

Writers will have free access to  rehearsal time and space using the wonderful facilitates at the VCA, plus use of their theatre space to present a reading from which a panel of industry experts will offer constructive and craft driven advice and feedback on your work, all with no cost. Home Grown is able to assist in connecting writers with cast and if needed, creatives.

positions in the audience for the grassroots readings are by invitation only. To express interest in attending a future reading please contact us.

Proudly supported by the Victorian College of the Arts at The University of Melbourne.