46 students around Australia announced on short list

Optus and Bell Shakespeare today announced the finalists for the Make A Scene Competition in which students were invited to interpret a Shakespearean phrase and visually represent it in a modern way.

The Competition ran from 1 May to 30 September 2005 and attracted over 1,600 entries from states and territories across Australia, including parts of Tasmania and Western Australia. This was an increase of over 50 per cent on the inaugural competition in 2004.

Students were asked to be as creative as possible - submissions included paintings, illustrations, quilts, photographs, comics, digital designs, robots and mixed media presentations.

The finalists were shortlisted by a group of judges including John Bell, Artistic Director Bell Shakespeare; Nicholas Harding, Artist and Archibald Prize winner; Dr Penny Jools, Clinical Psychologist and Psycho Therapist; Kat Mercer, Art Director M&C Saatchi, Sydney; Matthew Cumming, Digital Creative Director M&C Saatchi, Sydney; Craig Chaplin, Creative Director, Jack Morton Worldwide; and Tanya Menzies, Arts & Community Sponsorship Manager, Optus.

The winners will be announced at the Luna Park, Sydney in front of the finalists and participating schools present at 11:00 am on Monday, 14 November 2005.

The most original and creative entry will win the overall National Prize, consisting of the latest Optus Pre-Paid mobile phone, an AIWA Micro Hifi sound system, an iPod shuffle and $5,000 in cash.

If a school or community has supported the National Prize winner's entry, they will receive an additional $10,000 to spend on education or community services.

An Encouragement Prize will be awarded to the second most original and creative entry in two categories of Visual Arts and Digital Design, and consists of the latest Optus Pre-Paid mobile phone, an AIWA Micro Hifi sound system and an iPod shuffle.

"As Bell Shakespeare's principal education and youth sponsor, the Make a Scene Competition is an interactive way for Optus to support and engage young people whilst furthering our commitment to the communities we operate within," said Stephen Cameron, Optus Corporate Marketing Director.

John Bell, Bell Shakespeare Artistic Director and member of the judging panel said, "There was a very high degree of skill, creativity and sophisticated comment on contemporary society, using Shakespeare's insights. With so many works of excellence in various media, it was an extremely hard choice to make."

For more information or for an image of the finalist artwork:
Simone Bergholcs, Optus Corporate Affairs, Phone: +61 2 9342 7850 or 0412 206602
Tatia Sloley, Bell Shakespeare publicist, Phone: +61 3 9486 7911 or 0403 305 395

Finalists