QUT Theatre Studies graduates Benjamin Schostakowski and Belinda Locke are on a mission to put Australian Student Theatre back on the cultural map.

FAST (Festival of Australian Student Theatre) is the first national festival of tertiary student theatre in nearly ten years. It is run in partnership with La Boite and QUT Creative Industries and will bring together the nation’s student theatre companies.

Tertiary students from around Australia will pool their limited pennies to make their way to La Boite Brisbane for FAST this weekend. Student groups will come from universities including Queensland University of Technology, University of Queensland, James Cook University, Griffith University, University of Sydney, University of Melbourne and La Trobe.

From Friday, 17 to Sunday, 19 September, La Boite’s Roundhouse Theatre will be home for over 50 students presenting their new theatre works to the public. Theatre makers from campuses across Australia will converge and pack various venues in the precinct – including La Boite’s Roundhouse Theatre and Rehearsal Room, and QUT’s Glasshouse right next door. There are forums and a special 24-hour play project run by the University of Melbourne.

The festival’s aim is to showcase the incredible talent emerging through these companies and to create connections of many kinds. It will allow for national networking, creating opportunities for the growth of Australian Student Theatre and new connections to industry.

FAST is a non-profit organisation that presents the festival at La Boite’s Roundhouse Theatre. The festival is run in association with La Boite Theatre Company and QUT Creative Industries.

2010 marks the start of a new era for Australian Student Theatre with FAST to become an annual event. Day passes and full festival passes are available for purchase from (07) 3007 8600 or laboite.com.au. Visit fastfestival.com.au for the festival schedule.