Rutherford Technology High's drama cohort are Sharp Short Theatre finalists

The Rutherford Technology High School drama student has written and directed a play to get people talking about kids in out-of-home care, an issue which she believes has spent too long beneath the surface.

With Arms Outstretched, has been selected from schools across the state as one of eight finalists for the Sharp Short Theatre competition.

Outstretched tells the story of Mia and Mason, siblings separated as they go into out-of-home care. 

They meet other displaced children who illustrate the impact displacement has on young people.

But the finale of Outstretched aims to be faithful to the complex and potentially murky reality faced by displaced children, not the satisfying, easy cliches of fiction.

“[The ending] is heart-wrenching,” she said.

“But It's the reality. I didn't want it to be a fairy-tale.” 

Miss Fry wrote Outstretched after her mother, who works at a primary school, told her about the issue was prevalent but rarely discussed.

“I started doing research and found there were 43,000 kids displaced in Australia,” she said.

“I looked at the process they went through, the reality of it, then built characters who represented it.

“I wanted to take an issue people are scared to talk about to the stage.

“I want it to be challenging.

“I want it to start a conversation.”

In 2015 Miss Fry’s play about child abduction, Children of the Dark, won best script and audience pick in the competition.

RTHS drama teacher and ensemble co-ordinator Alysha McCann said Miss Fry’s latest work was complex, touching and designed to incite action.

“It’s an empowering story,” she said.

“It’ll touch the hearts of everyone in the audience – and then break them.

“With such talented students we’ve got a fantastic chance.”

Sharp Short will be held at Riverside Theatre in Parramatta on Friday June 10.