Who says city kids get to have all the fun? Certainly not Riverland Youth Theatre; they're taking playwright Lachlan Philpott on a fieldtrip to the country, where he'll be presenting a workshop as part of RYT's EAT program.

The workshop will help participants to write a play and avoid writers block by offering inspiring ways to begin the writing process, and provide pathways to reach the final scene.

Lachlan directs the Fresh Ink young writers program at the Australian Theatre for Young People in Sydney, and has taught script writing in Africa and Europe, along with tutoring at NIDA and at The Royal Court. Lachlan's play Silent Disco won the Griffin Award in 2009, and his play Bustown is currently shortlisted for an Australian Writers Guild Award.

"In the Riverland there is a gap in training and professional opportunities for artists to develop their skills. EAT workshop fills this gap," said Olivia Allen, Artistic Director of Riverland Youth Theatre.

"EAT workshops are designed to be short and intensive, and introduce participants to a wide range of performing art forms and skills including playwriting, performance making, audition skills, circus/physical theatre, theatre design, film making, just to name a few."

"The program includes a train-the-trainer component aimed at developing the skills of RYT tutors who run workshops for our members, and are also open to regional school teachers providing an opportunity for professional development."

The playwriting workshop will be held at RYT in the Renmark Institute on Sunday 24 October 10-4pm. The cost is $25 for ages13+ years. Scholarships are available.

For enquiries please call Riverland Youth Theatre on (08) 8586 3437 or send 'em an email. You can also find out more by visiting their website.