Maurial Spearim’s Inside Out addresses racism through the eyes of four dynamic, playful and energetic women of colour. The playwright is excited to see it brought to life in the hands of actors and a director during this weekend’s Cybec Electric readings.
Can you tell us about your Cybec Electric play, Inside Out?
Inside Out is a comedy drama where you see four Indigenous women combat racism head on. It’s about dynamic, playful and energetic women of colour in Australia.
Why this play and why now?
With COVID and everything that is going on in the world, I wanted to create something that was funny and which challenges one’s moral compass.
What made you start writing for the stage?
I started writing because there weren’t a lot of roles that I could go for as an actor. Even now in 2021 there are very limited roles on offer for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and for POC in Australia across the board in the arts industry. So I write and create characters that I want to play with, as I believe it is necessary to have our voice and stories shared on mainstream platforms.
Can you tell us more about your writing process; where you write and why?
Before I begin to write I let my idea have breath and space; I sit and meditate and let it grow and dream the possibilities. I create characters, imagine their world and story, and then I write a skeleton dot point of the idea/play. From there, I take it scene by scene and research as I go.
How do you know when an idea should turn into a play?
If the idea is still in my mind and I keep coming back to it I know it’s something I want to explore more and give voice to.
What excites you most about your participation in Cybec Electric 2021?
It’s so great to be back creating new work, especially after COVID. The most exciting thing is being able to play, bounce ideas off others, and create new work. Of course working with a director and having actors bring the world and characters to life is so deadly! Everyone has been really supportive and awesome throughout the Cybec Electric experience.
The Cybec Electric play readings run from 19 to 20 February 2021 at Southbank Theatre.
Cybec Electric forms part of MTC’s ongoing commitment to the development of new Australian writing, and is only possible due to the support of the late Dr Roger Riordan AM and The Cybec Foundation.
Published on 16 February 2021
