Autobahn: A Short-Play Cycle written by Neil LaBute Program (2024 Adelaide Fringe)

AN AMATEUR PRODUCTION BY ARRANGEMENT WITH ORIGINTM THEATRICAL, ON BEHALF OF SAMUEL FRENCH LTD. - A CONCORD THEATRICALS COMPANY.

AUTOBAHN: A SHORT-PLAY CYCLE WRITTEN BY NEIL LABUTE

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY

We would like to acknowledge that the land we meet on today is the traditional lands for the Kaurna people and that we respect their spiritual relationship with their Country. We also acknowledge the Kaurna people as the traditional custodians of the Adelaide region and that their cultural and heritage beliefs are still as important to the living Kaurna people today.

ABOUT THE PLAYWRIGHT Neil LaBute, playwright, screenwriter, and film director, is one of America's most talked-about and controversial dramatists. The bland surfaces of his dramas often conceal worlds of astonishing cruelty, in which men and women enjoy manipulating and doing harm to one another. Though some critics and viewers have been taken aback by the viciousness of LaBute's characters, the author believes, as he has said in a recent "London Telegraph" interview, that "Great good can come from showing great evil."

(New York State Writers Institute: https://www.albany.edu/writersinst/webpages4/archives/labute_neil.html) Neil LaBute received his Master of Fine Arts degree in dramatic writing from New York University and was the recipient of a literary fellowship to study at the Royal Court Theatre, London. He also attended the Sundance Institute’s Playwrights Lab and is the Playwright-inResidence with MCC Theatre in New York City.

LaBute’s plays include: bash: latter-day plays, The Shape of Things, The Mercy Seat, The Distance From Here, Autobahn, Fat Pig (Olivier Award nominated for Best Comedy), Some Girl(s), This Is How It Goes, Wrecks, Filthy Talk for Troubled Times, In a Dark Dark House, Reasons to Be Pretty (Tony Award nominated for Best Play) and The Break of Noon. In the spring of 2011 his play In a Forest, Dark and Deep premiered in London’s West End. LaBute is also the author of Seconds of Pleasure, a collection of short fiction which was published by Grove Atlantic.

His films include In the Company of Men (New York Critics’ Circle Award for Best First Feature and the Filmmaker Trophy at the Sundance Film Festival), Your Friends and Neighbors, Nurse Betty, Possession, The Shape of Things, a film adaptation of his play of the same title, The Wicker Man, Lakeview Terrace and Death at a Funeral.

(Faber: https://www.faber.co.uk/author/neil-labute/)

ABOUT STARHEART THEATRE Founded in 2015 by Laura Colella, starheART theatre is an award winning Adelaide based company designed to create opportunities for artists. Its aim is to show Adelaide some of the talent that is in its own backyard. It runs on the notion that to be successful, you sometimes have to make opportunities happen for yourself.

Beginning with just 8 members, starheART theatre has grown to give opportunities to over 80 local and international artists. The release of their feature film, 'THE ESSENCE', allowed creatives in all different fields to get involved.

They have performed in both the Adelaide and Melbourne Fringe festival and were awarded the Holden Street Theatre Award for their 2020 Adelaide Fringe production of 'Dirty People' written by Charlie Falkner. Their sitcom 'jupiter' is out now on YouTube.

FUNNY

Young Woman - Laura Colella Older Woman - Sarah Baber

BENCH SEAT

Guy - Steven Thai Hoa Girl - Sarah Baber

LONG DIVISION

Man - Tom Tassone Other Man - Steven Thai Hoa

ROAD TRIP

Man - Tom Tassone Girl - Laura Colella

ALL APOLOGIES

Man - Steven Thai Hoa Woman - Sarah Baber

MERGE AUTOBAHN

Woman - Sarah Baber Man - Tom Tassone

Woman - Laura Colella Man - Steven Thai Hoa

CAST (IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE) Laura Colella graduated Flinders University in 2016 with a Bachelor of Arts in Drama and Creative Writing. That same year, she studied a Summer Conservatory course at the Stella Adler Art of Acting Studio in Los Angeles. She has recently completed her Master of Teaching and teaches acting to children after school at Mostly Kids.

Laura played ‘Jackie’ in starheART theatre’s 2016 and 2021 productions of 'THE BOYS' by Gordon Graham including in both the Adelaide and Melbourne Fringe Festival. She also played ‘Paula’ in the 2017 production of Andrew Bovell’s ‘After Dinner’ and starred in the 2018 original play, ‘Love Is Easy’. Laura played ‘Sister James’ in the 2019 performance of John Patrick Shanley’s ‘Doubt: A Parable’ and ‘Lucy’ in starheART theatre’s award winning 2020 Fringe production, ‘Dirty People’ written by Charlie Falkner. Laura also starred as 'Isabel' in the original play, 'Together', Ron in 'Sex Object' written by Charlie Falkner and ‘Tiggy’ and ‘Theresa’ in Joanna Murray-Smith’s play, ‘Bombshells’.

Laura has always been passionate about the arts and making opportunities happen for herself. In 2018, she played ‘Sam’ in the thriller feature film, ‘The Essence’ and has starred in a number of short films. Laura also stars as ‘Jupiter’ in starheART’s original YouTube sitcom ‘jupiter’ following the lives of four friends and how they navigate dating, work and life in general. One thing she loves about being the Artistic Director of starheART theatre is that she can play a variety of roles and continually develop and show her skills across a range of genres without being type cast.

CAST (IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE) Sarah Baber has been in the local Adelaide acting scene for a while, starring in short films such as ‘The Cabinet’ directed by Shuying Liu, ‘Centre of The Universe’ by Paul Hennessy and ‘24 Hours’ directed by Kiara Skene for the 2023 48 Hour Film Project. She has been a Children’s Entertainer for over 10 years and has achieved many milestones within this line of work: including being featured on ‘South Aussie With Cosi’, walked/danced in the Glenelg Christmas Pageant many times, and performed at a private event for Teresa Palmer’s family and friends. In 2023, having no prior experience with the French language, Sarah pushed herself to learn French as she performed in ‘Une Maison De Poupée‘ (A Doll’s House) by Henrik Ibsen with the Adelaide University French Club.

Most recently, Sarah is known for her work and contribution in the local professional Burlesque and Cabaret scene. In 2023, she performed in two seasons of ‘Bite’ (cabaret and variety show), ‘Once Upon A Teaser’ and ‘Spice Up Your Life - A 90’s Tribute Show’ by Viola Verve Productions, ‘Chicago’, ‘Grease’, ‘Rocky Horror Picture Show’ by Cinematic Sinners, ‘Downpour’ by Santosha Storm Presents, ‘Return of The Cursed’ and ‘Sin City Spectacular’ by Nineteen Ten, as well as produced her first production ‘Merry Teasemas’.

Although Sarah loves to be onstage performing burlesque or being a fairy at children’s events, she has recently finished her Undergraduate Certificate in Acting at Flinders University and is so excited to see where her acting journey will take her from here. She is thrilled to be part of starheART theatre’s 2024 Fringe production of ‘Autobahn’.

CAST (IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE) Best known as Lauchie on ABC’s Emmy winning show, First Day, or as Robbie in starheART’s own Jupiter, Steven Thai Hoa has had experience performing across many different areas of The Arts. From troubled teenager to demonic drag queen, he’s always looking for opportunities to step outside his comfort zone and pick up new roles to expand his acting skill.

Steven is so excited to make his return to the stage after taking a brief hiatus to focus on the film side of acting, with Neil’s LaBute’s Autobahn being his first stage show in several years.

CAST (IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE) Tom Tassone’s performance career started in his primary school years with the Hills Youth Theatre. In the five years from 2010, he performed in 12 of their productions.

Tom has appeared in short films for Flinders University. Of more recent years, he has performed with Red Phoenix Theatre including in both their 2020 and 2023 Promenade of Shorts seasons. Also for Red Pheonix, he appeared in Blue Stockings, The Laramie Project and, earlier this year, The Suicide. Tom has also worked with The Adelaide University Theatre Guild, The Adelaide Rep, and Therry Theatre.

CREW

TECHNICAL DIRECTOR FRONT OF HOUSE SET DESIGNER

Montgomery Wolf

Danila Colella

Mario Colella

SPECIAL THANKS

To our families and friends for being our biggest supporters.

To Chris Iasiello and the team at the Norwood Concert Hall.

To Sarah, Steven and Tom for being talented and passionate artists to work with and learn from.

To all of you for buying a ticket and supporting a local theatre company, allowing us to do what we love.

Laura

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