UPSTAGEING Canberra & ArtSound

Turn your memories into “Radio Stories” at UPSTAGEING Canberra (image edited)

If you’ve ever thought, “That old family story would make a great monologue,” ArtSound has opened a welcoming door for you this March. As part of UPSTAGEING Canberra (20–29 March 2026), ArtSound is inviting older Canberrans to share stories that can be shaped into a short performance—think a monologue or a 10‑minute play—presented in the Manuka Arts Centre gardens during the festival.

What kind of story are they after?

This isn’t a writing competition for “perfect” prose—it’s about human stories. ArtSound’s invitation name-checks exactly the sort of material many of us carry around: an oft‑told yarn, a family memory, or even a little piece of fiction you’ve been meaning to write for years.

You don’t have to do it alone

One of the most encouraging parts of ArtSound’s call is the offer to talk and help turn an idea into something performable. If you’re unsure how to adapt a story for spoken performance, or you’d like guidance on what works well for an audience, that conversation is part of the point.

How to get involved (simple steps)

Jot down the story you’d like to tell (a rough outline is fine).
Email ArtSound Radio Theatre at artsoundtheatre@gmail.com and introduce yourself, with a few sentences about your idea.
If it feels like a fit, the next step is working together to shape it for a festival performance.

If you’re in Canberra and you’ve been looking for a reason to dust off your stories—or finally write down what you’ve been telling the grandkids for years—this is a lovely, local way to step into the spotlight (or the microphone).