In 2019, Rhian created Yardstick Theatre, a series of interactive testing-ground events for writers to learn about how audiences respond to specific material. At each event, actors present rehearsed readings of five-minute pieces that playwrights have written in response to a writing challenge. The challenge is focused on audience reactions to characters, and the audience indicates how 'successful' each piece has been using a prop.

Rhian has produced, written for and performed in four in-person iterations of Yardstick, and ran an online version in July 2020 supported by a City of Melbourne Covid-19 Quick Response Arts Grant.

If you would like to get in touch about participating in or attending future Yardstick events, please contact Rhian here.

Participant Testimonials:

"This is an uncommon and invaluable experience for writers, particularly the ability to gauge an audience's reaction through one character monologue, without having to write an entire play. There was a huge divergence of content, characters and themes from their (other writers') pieces, which made me look at the challenge and writing for the stage in general from different angles. Also, it was just a really fun night." - Aran Thangaratnam, Writer, Yardstick 2

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"Yardstick is invaluable for audiences and creators alike, because it shows the process behind developing works for performance and allows creatives exposure to feedback, which is immensely useful. I believe the Yardstick events allow audiences to hear voices they may not otherwise hear and bring together a community of supportive creatives." - Kirsten Law, Actor, Yardstick 2

"I believe Yardstick is an important show that goes beyond the entertainment value it provides. I felt that the experience was well supported and couldn't have asked for a better format to dabble in. It is rare to find events that draw together talent in such a cross-disciplinary way." - Jesse Vogelaar, Writer, Yardstick 2