Aaron Sorkin is a household name – theatre and film director, screenwriter, playwright. Hear how he writes and directs gripping political dramas that...

Aaron Sorkin and Leigh Sales Talk Drama and Politics

Location:

49 Market St
2000 NSW
Australia

Venue:
State Theatre
Aaron Sorkin
Aaron Sorkin

Featuring

Aaron Sorkin

Aaron Sorkin

Academy Award and Emmy Award winning screenwriter, director and renowned playwright Aaron Sorkin is one of America’s foremost talents. With credits stretching from Hollywood to Broadway and beyond, Aaron is equally adept at penning scripts as producing and directing behind the lens.
On the back of his ‘outstanding new playwright’ Broadway debut A Few Good Men and its 1993 film adaptation, which was nominated for four Academy Awards including Best Picture, Aaron has won an Academy Award and BAFTA for Best Adapted Screenplay for The Social Network (2010), Golden Globe Awards for Best Screenplay – Motion Picture for The Social Network, Steve Jobs (2015) and The Trial of the Chicago 7 (2020); Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Drama Series for The West Wing from 2000-2003; and has received 40 nominations across major film, television and critics’ awards.

Leigh Sales

Leigh Sales

Leigh Sales is one of Australia’s most respected journalists. As the anchor of the ABC’s flagship current affairs program, 7.30, she has interviewed dozens of world leaders and celebrities, including Hillary Clinton, Tony Blair, Henry Kissinger, the Dalai Lama, Paul McCartney, Patti Smith, Harrison Ford, Leonardo DiCaprio and Julie Andrews. She has interviewed every living Australian prime minister and also anchors the ABC’s federal election coverage. Leigh is the winner of three Walkley Awards, Australia’s highest journalism honour; the author of three books, Detainee 002, On Doubt and the most recent best seller Any Ordinary Day and the co-host of a wildly popular podcast called Chat 10 Looks 3 with Annabel Crabb.

Access and Inclusion

  • Auslan Interpreted - Auslan interpreted events are for audiences who are Deaf and use Australian Sign Language (Auslan) as their primary means of communication. Experienced Auslan theatre interpreters stand to the side of the stage and translate what the speakers are saying or Auslan signing the text and dialogue live. Audiences requiring this service are seated in the section closest to the interpreter to ensure good sightlines.
  • Companion Card Acceptance - The Companion Card is for people with a significant permanent disability, who always need a companion to provide attendant care type support in order to participate at most available community venues and activities.
  • Hearing Loop - A hearing loop (sometimes called an audio induction loop) is a special type of sound system for use by people with hearing aids. The hearing loop provides a magnetic, wireless signal that is picked up by the hearing aid when it is set to 'T' (Telecoil) setting. Many venues have an induction hearing loop system. Check if your venue has this system.
  • Wheelchair Accessible - Access to the venue is suitable for wheelchairs (toilets, ramps/lifts etc.) and designated wheelchair spaces are available.

Event Details

Aaron Sorkin is a household name – theatre and film director, screenwriter, playwright. Hear how he writes and directs gripping political dramas that mirror real life when he joins ABC 7:30 presenter Leigh Sales in conversation for this revealing and compelling event.

Aaron’s Emmy award winning TV series The West Wing had American viewers so convinced by its authentic dialogue that, when polled, a shocking number believed that fictional character Josiah ‘Jed’ Bartlet was the real President of the United States. With a string of incisive screenplays to his credit including The Social Network, A Few Good Men and The Newsroom (amongst many), this is a master storyteller who knows how to capture the pace and the energy of a city and its people.

Aaron’s latest directing forays – The Trail of the Chicago 7 and Being the Ricardos – spotlight flash points in American history where progressive politics rub up against conservative values. He deftly tackles contemporary issues such as freedom of speech, racism, feminism and cancel culture by pitting characters in increasingly claustrophobic situations.

Aaron's work resonates due to the universality of his subject matter and his skill in drawing lines between history and what is currently unfolding in society. In 2018, he premiered his Broadway stage adaptation of Harper Lee’s classic To Kill a Mockingbird. Echoing recent social justice developments, the production currently holds the title of the highest grossing American play in Broadway history.

As our consummate political inquisitor, Leigh Sales is unafraid to speak truth to power. She also shares her love of film, theatre, and musicals in her co-produced and co-presented podcast Chat 10, Looks 3. Who better to interview Aaron Sorkin about his Hollywood and Broadway successes, his political understanding of America past and present, his stage and film craft, his writing process, and more?

This will be a wide-ranging and entertaining talk that is likely to go truly off-script.

…

Aaron is appearing as part of Vivid Ideas' Global Storytellers series. We celebrate those who push creative boundaries, tell stories that challenge the status quo and drive change for good.

This year’s Global Storytellers also include ‘Bombshell’ women’s rights advocate Gretchen Carlson and iconoclastic superstar Troye Sivan.

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Access and Inclusion

  • Auslan Interpreted - Auslan interpreted events are for audiences who are Deaf and use Australian Sign Language (Auslan) as their primary means of communication. Experienced Auslan theatre interpreters stand to the side of the stage and translate what the speakers are saying or Auslan signing the text and dialogue live. Audiences requiring this service are seated in the section closest to the interpreter to ensure good sightlines.
  • Companion Card Acceptance - The Companion Card is for people with a significant permanent disability, who always need a companion to provide attendant care type support in order to participate at most available community venues and activities.
  • Hearing Loop - A hearing loop (sometimes called an audio induction loop) is a special type of sound system for use by people with hearing aids. The hearing loop provides a magnetic, wireless signal that is picked up by the hearing aid when it is set to 'T' (Telecoil) setting. Many venues have an induction hearing loop system. Check if your venue has this system.
  • Wheelchair Accessible - Access to the venue is suitable for wheelchairs (toilets, ramps/lifts etc.) and designated wheelchair spaces are available.

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