Between 1998 and 2001 I wrote nine pieces for stage, predominantly commissioned pieces, which were produced throughout New Zealand and Australia. It was through this work that I was invited to participate in the 1999 World Interplay, an international summit of young playwrights, in Townville, Australia.

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I was the delegate from Aotearoa that year, Elis C. Bihn was the delegate from Germany. Our meeting there resulted in a friendship that has grown for many years, and it was visiting Elis that first drew me to Berlin.

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My theatre pieces were all written under the pen name, "Ryan McFadyen". I am still represented by my theatrical writing agents, Playmarket New Zealand, for all of the pieces I wrote in that period.

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It's appropriate here for me to thank Paula Crutchlow, Wiremu Davies, John McDavitt, Jo Randerson and Gary Henderson for their support, guidance and tutelage in my theatre writing career.