'We need your voice, not the voice you think the world needs': Meet VCA grad Amy Sole

Amy Sole is a Wiradjuri and Worimi theatre maker and graduate of the Master of Theatre (Writing) at the Victorian College of the Arts (VCA). Since graduating in 2020, Amy has quickly made their mark on the Australian theatre scene, with a portfolio that includes collaborations with some of the industry's most respected names, national tours, and a significant appointment as Creative Associate at Illbijeri Theatre Company.

We talked with Amy about their creative practice, experience at the VCA, and advice for emerging playwrights. This is what they shared:

Hi, my name is Amy Sole and I'm a proud Wiradjuri and Worimi person.

I graduated from the Master of Theatre (Writing) in 2020. I really loved the course. Studying with Raimondo Cortese (head of the program) and Jane Harrison (co-head of the course at that time) was brilliant.

Even doing the whole course on Zoom during COVID was beautifully designed. I think something special that Raimondo has created in the course is the liberation of artistic voice without any kind of restriction. People are encouraged to express their form and voice, which is unique, I think, for courses in the industry.

There were many memorable moments from my time in the degree. Throughout the course, we'd often find ourselves across from industry playwrights who would be sitting there, holding us through our practice. Playwright Tom Holloway came in and did a masterclass with us, and that was really profound for me. It was the first moment in my artistic career or life where I saw no separation from who I was as an artist in the industry and this playwright that I have idolised and looked up to. He came into the workshop on the same level as us.

Black Theatre on main stages can be co-opted by Western theatre and not supported in what its form and methodologies are. But this course doesn't push a form onto you; it allows your form to be. For me, Raimondo as head of the course stood for the liberation of people's voices in form. And then the incredible Black playwright, Jane Harrison, Aunty Jane was there holding me through that process. It was pretty special.

For my graduation piece, I wrote a play called Burning, which was phenomenal and well-received. Later, I reimagined that work and directed it on the stage. Then, I started full-time as a Creative Associate at Ilbijerri Theatre Company. I haven't stopped since then. I've been jumping from project to project, building my dramaturgy and Black Form practice. I'm now running BlackWrights, a writing program through Ilbijerri where we support Black writers. Raimondo and Jane have even come in and done workshops and masterclasses for us.

I'm working on 8,000 billion projects. I just co-wrote Tracker with Ursula Yovich and Daniel Riley, which is now touring nationwide. I've also co-directed Whitefella Yella Tree at Griffin Theatre. My final piece from the Masters Burning will most likely return with Darlinghurst Theatre Company. I'm also talking to a few other companies interested in picking up that production.

My advice for budding theatre makers: be brave. We need your voice, not the voice you think the world needs. We need your voice. So, jump and find your practice, find your voice, be authentic to who you are, and trust places and spaces like the Master of Theatre (Writing), which is a place where you can do that.

For me, theatre practice is about being unapologetic. It's not necessarily just about craft, it's about fully being authentic in your voice and being brave enough to explore what that is.

Discover the Master of Theatre (Writing) at the University of Melbourne.