Podcasts about Griffin Theatre Company

Andrea James, a Yorta Yorta, Gunaikurnai theatre maker and Griffin Theatre Company's Associate Artistic Director joins NITV Radio to talk about her latest project, Nucleus, written by celebrated playwright Alana Valentine.

The culture wars are seeping out of the real world and infiltrating our pages and stages.  Art has always traversed unfamiliar and even dangerous territory. But with recent calls to boycott cultural institutions, donors pulling funding, and the cancellation of works and talent, are some discussions too fraught to engage with? Louise Adler is the Director of Adelaide Writers' Week. She has spent over 30 years in the culture business and continues to be committed to the dissemination of dangerous ideas. Brook Garru Andrew is an artist, curator and writer who is driven by the collisions of intertwined narratives emerging from the mess of the “Colonial Wuba (hole)”. His practice is grounded in his perspective as a Wiradjuri and Celtic person from Australia. Violette Ayad was born on Whadjuk Noongar Boodja to Palestinian and Lebanese parents. She is now based on Gadigal land where she works as an actor, writer, director, and voice artist.  Gil Beckwith has a significant career in the Arts and Not For Profit industry in senior finance and administration management roles. Her working career spans over 40 years and includes working for Sydney Theatre Company, Melbourne Festival, the Victorian AIDS Council, and most recently CEO of Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. Declan Greene is a playwright, director, and dramaturg. As a director he has worked for many of Australia's major theatre companies, including Sydney Theatre Company, Melbourne Theatre Company, Malthouse, Belvoir, and Griffin Theatre Company.  Emile Sherman is an Academy Award and Emmy Award-winning film and television producer who co-founded See-Saw Films in 2008. Based in Sydney and London, See-Saw Films has worked with many of the world's leading filmmakers and actors.  Chaired by philosopher and Executive Director of The Ethics Centre, Simon Longstaff.

In today's episode, I'm joined by Jenni Medway, Head of New Work at Melbourne Theatre Company. With over a decade of experience in dramaturgy within theatre companies, Jenni shares her approach to developing plays, the role of a company dramaturg, and the unique responsibilities that come with programming new works for a state theatre company. As a dramaturg dedicated to new writing, Jenni has so many wonderful insights on finding your voice as a playwright, writing with a specific audience in mind, and the collaboration between a playwright, director and dramaturg when moving from text into production.About Jennifer Medway: Jennifer Medway is a dramaturg with over a decade of experience in developing new Australian plays. She is currently Melbourne Theatre Company's Head of New Work where she runs one of the largest play development programmes in the country. Prior to this, she was Melbourne Theatre Company's Literary Associate. Her past roles include Resident Dramaturg at the Australian Theatre for Young People, Studio Artist at Griffin Theatre Company, and Literary Assistant at Belvoir Street Theatre.We recorded today's conversation at Melbourne Theatre Company on Boon Wurrung and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung land. I acknowledge and pay my respects to the peoples of the Kulin Nation who are the Traditional Custodians of the land on which MTC is built.Thank you for listening. You can learn more about my work on my website www.emilysheehan.info.

Merlynn Tong joins Regina to talk about Golden Blood. Writer and performer in golden blood - first staged at griffin in 2022 Back to stc from 17th sept at wharf 1 Theatre for STC   Originally from Singapore Merlynn is known for her screen roles in Jane Campion's Top of the Lake and ABC's In Our Blood. Her previous works for the stage, in which she also starred, include her one-woman shows, Ma Ma Ma Mad, the true story of her mother's suicide, and Blue Bones, a semi—----autobiography of teenage romance.   Golden Blood is also inspired by events in Merlynn's own life, and will see her star alongside the brilliant Charles Wu as recently orphaned siblings finding their way into adulthood amongst the steamy, tropical backstreets of Singapore's criminal underworld.   Much of Golden Blood is performed in Singlish - and Merlynn can speak to how she uses language on stage to transport the audience into a different place and time - she touches on that briefly in this video.   The show premiered at Griffin Theatre Company in 2022, opens at STC on 17 September, and will also be performed at Melbourne Theatre Company later this year

The last production to grace the stage of Griffin's historic SBW Stables Theatre before a major redevelopment will be The Lewis Trilogy from Australian playwright Louis Nowra. The three highly acclaimed plays — Summer of the Aliens, Così and This Much Is True — are all drawn from Nowra's own very eventful life.Also, Jonathan Larson's hit musical RENT is back on stage in Australia, and ahead of two new productions of Candide in Melbourne and Adelaide, we take a closer look at Leonard Bernstein's comic operetta based on the Enlightenment-era novella by Voltaire.

Over the last two years, as part of the Endemolshine Australia team, Ian Meadows has been the writer, co-creator and co-producer of 'RFDS' the TV drama that has been filmed and aired on Channel 7 (and now available on-demand on 7Plus). The 'RFDS' show has been aired to broad audiences across Australia and to some 14 countries overseas. Ian has never been personally transported by the RFDS, but as a result of his work he has become intimately involved with our work across the country, so through the TV scripts he can highlight the challenges for those that live, work and travel in rural and remote Australia. He has been instrumental in making sure that the RFDS TV drama is authentic to the Service, genuine in its depiction of staff and patients and communities, and also entertaining.  Ian Meadows has a long line of credits: Netflix's Clickbait, The Wrong Girl, True Story, Dead Lucky, ABC's 8MMM, The Moodys, A Moody Christmas, Rake, Paper Giants: The Birth of Cleo, the HBO series The Pacific, and the film Killing Ground. TV writing credits include RFDS, as well as the SBS series ‘On The Ropes', Foxtel's ‘Upright, Spirited and Slide', Channel 10's ‘The Wrong Girl' as well as ‘Off'Spring, and ABC's ‘The Moodys'. Ian adapted and directed ‘Defender', a segment of Tim Winton's The Turning, which was produced by Robert Connolly and was AACTA nominated for best direction. He co-wrote and acted in the AFI award nominated short ‘Water', and wrote and directed the Sydney Film Festival selected short film ‘A Parachute Falling in Siberia' which won an Australian Writers Guild Award and received an AFI award nomination. And then of course his play ‘Between Two Waves' premiered at Griffin Theatre Company in 2012 where Ian was a member of the inaugural Griffin Studio. It was awarded Belvoir Theatre Company's 2013 Phillip Parsons Fellowship. ****** Thanks so much for listening to the Flying Doctor Podcast. It is lovely to have you along on the journey with us. There has been some wonderful feedback from listeners and those we have interviewed. Word of mouth is always the best promotion for a podcast – so if you enjoy this podcast, or a specific story, please share with family and friends. Reviews and ratings help our podcast to be found by others, so if you can take the time to do that it would be appreciated.  You can also send feedback, questions or comments through to me at lana.mitchell@rfds.org.au.  If you haven't already -- Please do join our Facebook Group called the Flying Doctor Podcast Community and join in the conversation And if you haven't already done so – catch up on our extensive back-series as there are some ripper yarns, incredibly brave and strong people, and many-a-story that are so typically Aussie in terms of resilience, innovation in times of crisis, and of course humour.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Justin Smith is presently filling the shoes of Australia's 21st Prime Minister, Edward Gough Whitlam, in Squabbalogic's world premiere production of 'The Dismissal'. He will appear in three upcoming series' premiering in 2023: The Messenger for the ABC based on Marcus Zusak's bestselling novel, and Last Days of the Space Age and The Artful Dodger, both for Disney+. He most recently featured in the smash hit Netflix reboot of Heartbreak High. Elsewhere on the small screen he appeared in the latest season of Foxtel's hit drama Wentworth and in the hit Channel Seven series RFDS. Prior to that he starred in both seasons of major Foxtel's series Secret City alongside Anna Torv and Jacki Weaver. He also returned in the second season of the award-winning ABC comedy The Letdown. Both seasons have aired on Netflix around the world. Previously, Justin played Glen McNamara in the Seven Network drama Blue Murder: Killer Cop opposite Richard Roxburgh. Other notable television credits include playing Damon in the first season of Stan's brilliant comedy The Other Guy, the role of Lester Lawrence alongside Sam Worthington and Hugh Dancy in Foxtel's Deadline Gallipoli, Underbelly: Badness, The Straits and Bastard Boys, for which he was nominated for an AFI Award for Best Supporting Actor.Justin's feature film credits include the forthcoming Sony feature Carmen starring Paul Mescal, the award winning Australian film Babyteeth, Disney's hit film Pirates of The Caribbean: Dead Man Tell No Tales starring Johnny Depp. Fred Schepisi's The Eye of the Storm, Around the Block, Sleeping Beauty, Burning Man, Being Venice and Angst. Justin has starred in numerous stage productions. Most recently Into The Woods at Belvoir, Dubbo Championship Wrestling at Hayes Theatre Co, and Wudjang Not The Past for Bangarra. Other theatre credits include as Billy's Dad, Jackie Elliot, in Billy Elliot The Musical, Small Mouth Sounds for Darlinghurst Theatre Company, Jesus Wants Me For A Sunbeam at the National Theatre of Parramatta, The Long Forgotten Dream, directed by Neil Armfield for Sydney Theatre Company, A Strategic Plan for Griffin Theatre Company, and A Flea in Her Ear and Arcadia for the Sydney Theatre Company. Justin has appeared in many notable productions for Belvoir, Bell Shakespeare, Griffin and the STC.Justin made his professional debut in the 1992 Australian production of Jesus Christ Superstar alongside John Farnham and Kate Ceberano. In 1998 he played the role of Mark in the original Australian cast of Rent the Musical. He was later to play the role of Tony Elliot in the original Australian production of Billy Elliot.The STAGES podcast is available to access and subscribe from Spotify and Apple podcasts. Or from wherever you access your favourite podcasts. A conversation with creatives about craft and career. Follow socials on instagram (stagespodcast) and facebook (Stages).www.stagespodcast.com.au

Nakkiah Lui (Kamilaroi/Torres Strait Islander) is one of Australia's most incisive, provocative, and funniest writers. Never one to follow convention, when she was asked to consider adapting a 'classic', Nakkiah Lui chose the divisive 90s Hollywood flop, Showgirls. Blaque Showgirls is now on at the Griffin Theatre Company.Also, Sandaime Richard, a Japanese play inspired by Shakespeare's Richard III, was radically transformed by the Singaporean director Ong Keng Sen in a 2016 production that brought together performers from across Asia. Now, Keng Sen is revisiting the text with a troupe of students at NIDA.

Ash Flanders made his reputation with wildly funny, often surreal queer theatre made under the name Sisters Grimm with his creative partner Declan Greene. Now, Ash has put the glitter and wigs aside and written a new, naturalistic play called This Is Living.Also, multidisciplinary artist and "radical mischief-maker" Candy Bowers shares the works of art that have most inspired her journey on Top Shelf and we explore the themes of Stephen Sondheim's Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber Fleet Street with the Sydney Opera House cast.

Ash Flanders made his reputation with wildly funny, often surreal queer theatre made under the name Sisters Grimm with his creative partner Declan Greene. Now, Ash has put the glitter and wigs aside and written a new, naturalistic play called This Is Living. Also, multidisciplinary artist and "radical mischief-maker" Candy Bowers shares the works of art that have most inspired her journey on Top Shelf and we explore the themes of Stephen Sondheim's Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber Fleet Street with the Sydney Opera House cast.

Eloise joins Regina Botros to share with us the birth of this new production. Eloise is an award-winning writer, actor, producer and voice artist. She completed a Bachelor of Media in Writing at Macquarie University and received a scholarship to study in London. She has worked extensively as an actor in theatre and she works consistently on screen, most recently in Colin from Accounts. She has worked with her own independent theatre company, MopHead Productions, as well as Ensemble Theatre and Griffin Theatre Company. She is currently a Creative Producer with Critical Stages. This production PONY on at griffin at the moment is her debut and was shortlisted for the Queensland Premier's Drama Award 2022/23, the Rodney Seaborn Playwrights Award 2021, the Patrick White Playwright's Award 2022 and the Griffin Award 2022.

Heather Mitchell's mainstage debut was more than 40 years ago and she continues to delight audiences, last year performing to full houses in a one-woman show at the Sydney Theatre Company. Now, Heather has written a very tender memoir called Everything and Nothing. Also, we hear the opening scene of Pony, a frank and funny play about the wild ride of pregnancy and childbirth, and we mark the passing of improvised theatre pioneer Keith Johnstone with Lyn Pierse, author of Improvisation: The Guide, and Adam Spencer, host of the upcoming TheatreSports All-Stars at the Sydney Comedy Festival.

Heather Mitchell's mainstage debut was more than 40 years ago and she continues to delight audiences, last year performing to full houses in a one-woman show at the Sydney Theatre Company. Now, Heather has written a very tender memoir called Everything and Nothing.Also, we hear the opening scene of Pony, a frank and funny play about the wild ride of pregnancy and childbirth, and we mark the passing of improvised theatre pioneer Keith Johnstone with Lyn Pierse, author of Improvisation: The Guide, and Adam Spencer, host of the upcoming TheatreSports All-Stars at the Sydney Comedy Festival.

Hello Cuties! The podcast is back with short snappy episodes with queer artists in celebration of Sydney World Pride!! First episode of season five is with Laneikka Denne and Ziggy Resnick where we chatted all things Feminazi, why queer stories are important, experiences being a queer creative and some fun rapid fire questions! So, grab a coffee and enjoy!! BIOS: Laneikka is a queer writer and actor from Western Sydney. At seventeen, Laneikka wrote DEAD SKIN which premiered at KXT to a sold-out season, published by Australian Plays and the winner of SA State Theatre Company's Young Playwrights Award. Laneikka's second play FEMINAZI premieres as part of Belvoir Theatre's Sydney World Pride Programming in 2023. Laneikka was the recipient of the Diversity Entertainment Creative Mentorship 2022, her play DEAD SKIN was performed in LA, to be developed into a feature film adaption of the play. Laneikka's short screenplay Oi was awarded Open Screenplay's Best Short Drama Award and is in pre-production in Sydney. Laneikka acted in the national tour of FOLLOW ME HOME with ATYP and is currently Sally in Netflix's ‘Wellmania'. Laneikka created THE MONOLOGUE COLLECTIVE where teenagers write monologues for teenagers to perform for the HSC to sold-out seasons and was nominated for Best Production for Young People at the Sydney Theatre Awards 2023. Young, queer humans are at the heart of all of Laneikka's work.A queer, Jewish, Greek, first generation “Australian” clown, Ziggy graduated from NIDA with a BFA (Acting) in 2020. During this time she worked with Leticia Caceres on SIX, Priscilla Jackman on Ibsen's Ghosts and Jim Sharman on Twelfth Night, and debuted the role of Amélie in the first Australian stage adaptation of the film Amélie (dir. Miranda Middleton). After graduating from NIDA, Ziggy debuted the role of Shoshana in A is for Apple by Jessica Bellamy at Griffin Theatre Company, worked as a clown on Opera Australia's Ernani, starred in a new Australian show Trash Pop Butterflies Dance Dance Paradise as part of Midsumma Festival and directed Much Stuff at Kings Cross Theatre. She will perform her new play Pear-Shaped in 2023 at TheatreWorks Melbourne. Ziggy is proud to be a member of the 2022/23 SheWrites Collective at TheatreWorks and the RIPE Development Program at Fruit Box Theatre.

The opportunity to view ‘live' theatrical performance from the comfort of home is an experience to which many of us have given indulgent thought. Competing with the ordeal of travel, parking and audience, especially in the time of Covid, is never an attractive proposition. However, we do so, because nothing can replace the visceral engagement of witnessing a company of performers and creatives conjure stories right there in front of us. Living in the big cities can make this ritual commonplace; but it is a practice that is not available to many keen theatre-goers. Patrons in regional centres, immunocompromised viewers and those looking for affordable and accessible tickets are likely to miss out on the work presented by our national theatre, dance, music and opera companies. Australian Theatre Live is a new experience of performance allowing us to see quality theatre on digital platforms while also preserving for eternity what is an ephemeral night in the theatre. Australian Theatre Live has just launched a subscription platform for digital theatre experiences, making Australian art more accessible to all. With a growing content library of mainstage and independent theatre, opera, dance, acrobatics and music, Australian Theatre Live captures live performance for you to enjoy on your schedule. Their fast-growing digital library is designed with everyone in mind. The Australian Theatre Live catalogue includes theatrical experiences from Sydney Theatre Company, Griffin Theatre Company, the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra, Sydney Festival, Kings Cross Theatre, the Old Fitz and more. “People often have this perception that recorded theatre is not as enjoyable as the live thing. However, due to the beautiful camera angles and crisp sound quality, our films offer a level of intimacy beyond that of the usual audience member's experience. Watching an Australian Theatre Live film is like watching a play from on the stage” – Grant Dodwell, Creative Director Australian Theatre Live Home audiences are able gain access to some of the best of what Australian theatre has to offer, regardless of your location, income, or access needs. Australian Theatre Live grants all Australians the opportunity to enjoy, critique and participate in the development of our artistic heritage. Emma Wright is an Associate Producer with the company and joins STAGES to provide insight into this fascinating alternative to experiencing and preserving, our great performances. The STAGES podcast is available to access and subscribe from Spotify and Apple podcasts. Or from wherever you access your favourite podcasts. A conversation with creatives about craft and career. Recipient of Best New Podcast at 2019 Australian Podcast Awards. Follow socials on instagram (stagespodcast) and facebook (Stages). www.stagespodcast.com.au

Alexander Berlage is an award-winning director and lighting designer. He is co-artistic director of the Old Fitz Theatre. He is a graduate of the National Institute of Dramatic Art in Production, returning three years later to complete his Masters in Direction. Delivering a focused and creative flair since childhood, it would seem that his career was always assured. As a lighting designer, Alexander has worked for Sydney Theatre Company, Opera Queensland, Birmingham Royal Ballet, Sydney Chamber Opera, Sydney Dance Company, Griffin Theatre Company, and Redline Productions … just to name a few! Alexander's directing work includes American Psycho, Cry-Baby, Young Frankenstein; Gloria, There Will Be A Climax and Mr Burns. His productions command easy engagement and seduce with a vibrant and quirky aesthetic - guaranteeing audiences, delight and reward. In October Berlage stages Let the Right One in for the Darlinghurst Theatre Company - A supernatural thriller that will have you on the edge of your seat A visceral stage adaptation of the best-selling Swedish novel and film, Let The Right One In is a modern-day horror story with a twist … superbly crafted for the stage by Jack Thorne, the award-winning writer of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, this blood-thirsty thriller will set your heart racing with its shocking conclusion. To mark this new production directed by Alexander Berlage, we return to a conversation recorded in April 2019. A lot has happened since then but revisiting this chat gives us an insight into a theatre-maker at the dawn of his incredible output thus far. Let's revisit my conversation with - Alexander Berlage. The Stages podcast is available from Apple podcasts, Spotify, and where you find your favourite podcasts. www.stagespodcast.com.au

Declan Greene is the Artistic Director of Griffin Theatre Company and works as a playwright, dramaturg and director. He was previously Resident Artist at Malthouse Theatre. As a playwright, his work includes Eight Gigabytes of Hardcore Pornography, The Homosexuals, or ‘Faggots', Melancholia, Moth, and Pompeii L.A. Declan co-founded queer experimental theatre company Sisters Grimm with Ash Flanders in 2006, and has directed and co-created all their productions to date, including: for Griffin Independent and Theatre Works: Summertime in the Garden of Eden; for Malthouse Theatre and Sydney Theatre Company: Calpurnia Descending; for Melbourne Theatre Company: Lilith: The Jungle Girl; and for Sydney Theatre Company: Little Mercy. As a director, his credits include: for Griffin: Dogged, Green Park, Whitefella Yella Tree; for Malthouse Theatre: Wake in Fright; for Malthouse Theatre and Sydney Theatre Company: Blackie Blackie Brown; for Sydney Theatre Company: Hamlet: Prince of Skidmark; for ZLMD Shakespeare Company: Conviction. Declan has won awards including the Malcolm Robertson Prize, the Max Afford Playwright's Award, an AWGIE for Theatre for Young Audiences and the Green Room Award for Best Original Writing. Declan has just launched the 2023 season for the Griffin Theatre Company. He joined STAGES to elaborate on the season and to reflect on his unique role as an Artistic Director and as one of our most exciting and inventive theatre-makers. The STAGES podcast is available to access and subscribe from Spotify and Apple podcasts. Or from wherever you access your favourite podcasts. A conversation with creatives about craft and career. Recipient of Best New Podcast at 2019 Australian Podcast Awards. Follow socials on instagram (stagespodcast) and facebook (Stages). www.stagespodcast.com.au

This episode we explore the sacred and - oftentimes intimidating - world of rituals and the relationship they have with our identities as Pacific people.  Our two amazing episode 10 guests guide us through this final episode of VOSA Season 2 -  Wendy Mocke is a Papua New Guinean inter-disciplinary storyteller, a NIDA Acting graduate, Wendy has performed across stages in Australia and appeared in films and television. Our second guest Akanisi Nabalarua-Vakawaletabua of Fiji is a lawyer and lecturer of Business Law at the School of Accounting at the University of the South Pacific.  If you'd like to learn more about the brilliant projects that Wendy and Akanisi are a part of, check out the links below: Wendy Mocke Wendy was a member of the emerging writers group at Sydney Theatre Company and this year her play 'I am Kegu' was shortlisted for the Patrick White Playwrights award. She has completed writing residencies at Griffin Theatre Company and Darlinghurst Theatre where she developed her stage plays 'Jalbu Meri' and 'REALish'. Wendy's visual art's project called ‘m e r i', a collection of photographs and stories focuses on the recontextualising of contemporary PNG women, was exhibited last year at North Site Contemporary Arts Gallery (Cairns) and this year at Brisbane Powerhouse (Brisbane).  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wendy.mocke Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melaninhaus/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/WendyMocke Akanisi Nabalarua-Vakawaletabua  Akanisi has worked as a lawyer and lecturer traversing the world of private practice and academia engaging her legal research and advocacy skills as an iTaukei female lawyer and teacher in Fiji. Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/akanisi_reads/ Twitter - https://twitter.com/akanisi411 Do you want to be involved in Vosa's next season? Listen in for details at the end of the episode.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Suzie Miller was a lawyer before she became a playwright. Now, Prima Facie, a play that takes her back to the courtroom, has launched her career on the West End and Broadway. Also, we visit a regional theatre to meet the young locals preparing for a production of Annie Jr.

Suzie Miller was a lawyer before she became a playwright. Now, Prima Facie, a play that takes her back to the courtroom, has launched her career on the West End and Broadway.Also, we visit a regional theatre to meet the young locals preparing for a production of Annie Jr.

A theatre polymath, NIDA graduate John Senczuk's multi-award winning career spans forty years with his work seen nationally and internationally in commissions for opera, dance and drama. He worked concurrently as an academic, with fifteen years at the Faculty of Creative Arts, University of Wollongong (creating and teaching courses in Scenography, Directing and Dramaturgy) before taking senior positions at Toi Whakaari, New Zealand Drama School, and WAAPA (Program Director—Production, Design and Arts Management; Head of Design). He was Chairman of Griffin Theatre Company in 1985, appointing the Company's first artistic director; founding Chair of Paul Mercurio's Australian Choreographic Ensemble; and sat on the Boards of Theatre South, Currency House, Dramaturgical Services Inc., The Seymour Group and Matt Lutton's Thin Ice. For ten years, from 1989, John was associate director of Wollongong's Theatre South where his credits on over thirty productions as director/designer included Hamlet, After Dinner, Twelfth Night, Christian Brothers and The Time is Not Yet Ripe. He has also directed drama, opera and musicals: Bony Anderson (Seymour Group); Flesh and Blood (Festival of Sydney); Irene (with Hollywood legend Debbie Reynolds,) and the premieres of David Williamson's When Dad Married Fury, Justin Fleming's Kangaroo and John Aitken's The Enchanters. John collaborated with Gale Edwards on the book & lyrics for the musical Eureka!, and wrote the Opera libretto for African Queen. Highlights of his career as a designer include L'Orfeo (Oslo Summer Festival) and Sons of Cain (West End). He collaborated on over twenty productions for the Sydney Theatre Company, including David Williamson's Dead White Males and Heretic, and the Australian premiere of Into the Woods; and has worked extensively in both the subsidised and commercial theatre nationally. John submits his PhD Theses (Flinders University) in 2022. The STAGES podcast is available to access and subscribe from Spotify and Apple podcasts. Or from wherever you access your favourite podcasts. A conversation with creatives about craft and career. Recipient of Best New Podcast at 2019 Australian Podcast Awards. Follow socials on instagram (stagespodcast) and facebook (Stages). www.stagespodcast.com.au

Darren Yap has been a part of some huge moments in Australian performing arts history, from acting in Miss Saigon to being on the directorial team for the Sydney 2000 closing ceremony. Now he's using his talents to bringing new Asian Australian work to the stage. Also, we meet artists behind a surge of Asian Australian plays on our mainstages right now and Neil Armfield joins us to pay tribute to the English theatre director Peter Brook, famous for his reinvention of contemporary theatre.

Darren Yap has been a part of some huge moments in Australian performing arts history, from acting in Miss Saigon to being on the directorial team for the Sydney 2000 closing ceremony. Now he's using his talents to bringing new Asian Australian work to the stage. Also, we meet artists behind a surge of Asian Australian plays on our mainstages right now and Neil Armfield joins us to pay tribute to the English theatre director Peter Brook, famous for his reinvention of contemporary theatre.

Darren Yap has been a part of some huge moments in Australian performing arts history, from acting in Miss Saigon to being on the directorial team for the Sydney 2000 closing ceremony. Now he's using his talents to bringing new Asian Australian work to the stage.Also, we meet artists behind a surge of Asian Australian plays on our mainstages right now and Neil Armfield joins us to pay tribute to the English theatre director Peter Brook, famous for his reinvention of contemporary theatre.

This week on Speak The Speech, we are joined by one of Western Australia's premier Indigenous contemporary theatre artists, Maitland Schnaars. In this episode, Maitland discusses his role in the 2022 touring production of The Comedy of Errors and the physicality of Shakespeare's works. He also shares his experience of working in contemporary and traditional Noongar dance, Yirra Yaakin Theatre Company's production of Hecate, and what it would be like to tour Noongar language works out of Country. Maitland Schnaars co-founded the international theatre company Corazon de Vaca and has performed and co-created a number of their productions, both in Spain and in Perth, Australia. He has recently performed in productions for Black Swan Theatre Company, Yirra Yaakin Theatre Company, a co-production for Queensland Theatre Company and Griffin Theatre Company, a national tour for Tasmania Performs and assistant directed and performed for WAYTCO (Western Australian Youth Theatre Company).   He has worked with many independent theatre companies in Perth and continues to work with artists from various backgrounds such as dance, multimedia and music. In 2016, he won Performing Arts WA Best Actor award. He is also a member of Wadumbah Noongah Dance Group.   Find out more about Bell Shakespeare online: https://www.bellshakespeare.com.au/ and follow us on socials @bellshakespeare 

In this episode, we chat with Tim Duggan, an author and new media entrepreneur, about how businesses can achieve cult status. We unpack where businesses should start on this journey and why they need an impact statement.We also delved into killer thinking – how to turn good ideas into brilliant ones. You'll get tips on how to hone your creative skills, how to be your problems therapist and finally how to execute those brilliant ideas.A little more about Tim Duggan:Tim is an author and new media entrepreneur. He has co-founded several digital media ventures, most notably Junkee Media, one of the leading publishers for Australian millennials that was acquired by ASX-listed oOh!media.Tim's first book, Cult Status: How to Build a Business People Adore, was named the Best Entrepreneurship Book at the 2021 Australian Business Book Awards. His second book, Killer Thinking: How to Turn Good Ideas into Brilliant Ones, explores creativity in the workplace.Tim is also the chairman of the Digital Publishers Alliance, an industry body that represents over a hundred titles from leading independent digital publishers. He began his career as a music journalist for Rolling Stone, and sits on several boards including the Griffin Theatre Company, Australia's new writing theatre.Tim lives with his husband, Ben, and dog, Winnie, in Sydney.Where you can find him and connectWebsite: https://timduggan.com.au/Impact Statement Masterclass: https://impactstatementmasterclass.thinkific.com/

When Yorta Yorta/Gunaikurnai theatre-maker Andrea James quit her job as a legal secretary to pursue a career in the arts, it was because she saw the theatre as 'a place where truth gets told.' She is now one of our most celebrated playwrights and directors. Also, we hear a scene from A Letter for Molly, the debut play from Brittanie Shipway at the Ensemble and Dr Ana Flavia Zuim, co-author of a study measuring vocal demands in musical theatre, explains why technique may not be enough to protect our vocal health.

When Yorta Yorta/Gunaikurnai theatre-maker Andrea James quit her job as a legal secretary to pursue a career in the arts, it was because she saw the theatre as 'a place where truth gets told.' She is now one of our most celebrated playwrights and directors. Also, we hear a scene from A Letter for Molly, the debut play from Brittanie Shipway at the Ensemble and Dr Ana Flavia Zuim, co-author of a study measuring vocal demands in musical theatre, explains why technique may not be enough to protect our vocal health.

When Yorta Yorta/Gunaikurnai theatre-maker Andrea James quit her job as a legal secretary to pursue a career in the arts, it was because she saw the theatre as 'a place where truth gets told.' She is now one of our most celebrated playwrights and directors. Also, we hear a scene from A Letter for Molly, the debut play from Brittanie Shipway at the Ensemble and Dr Ana Flavia Zuim, co-author of a study measuring vocal demands in musical theatre, explains why technique may not be enough to protect our vocal health.

Marg joins Regina to talk through a life as a theatre designer and in particular The Picture of Dorian Gray.   Marg has an extensive list of design credits spanning theatres across Australia. For STC, Marg has designed for The Picture of Dorian Gray, Avalanche (with Barbican Theatre), How to Rule the World and The Histrionic (with Malthouse). As Costume Designer she also worked on STC productions of Lord of the Flies and The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui. She has worked on a wide range of productions for Malthouse including Because the Night (interiors), Blasted, Melancholia, Bliss, Caravan, The Testament of Mary, The Real and Imagined History of The Elephant Man, Revolt She Said Revolt Again, The Homosexuals Or ‘Faggots' (with Griffin Theatre Company), Edward II, I Am A Miracle and The Good Person Of Szechuan. Marg has also designed for many other leading theatre and opera companies including English National Opera, Opera Queensland, Victorian Opera, Melbourne Theatre Company, Bell Shakespeare, Belvoir and Griffin Theatre Company. She has also worked with Circa, Performing Lines, Dee and Cornelius, Angus Cerini Doubletap and Chunky Move. Marg has won seven Green Room Awards and two Sydney Theatre Awards including one for The Picture of Dorian Gray (2021).  

On this episode we sit down with actor and writer Kirsty Marillier to discuss the question: How do you become a playwright? Kirsty joins us to discuss how she made the journey from acting into writing, eventually creating one of the hottest shows in Sydney at the moment, Orange Thrower. We'll discuss the ins and outs of crafting a script from the beginning and what challenges lay in the way. Kirsty fills us in on the behind the scenes thoughts she has about her own work, and also where it fits in with the changing landscape of Australian theatre. Kirsty Marillier is a South African actor and award-winning playwright. She is currently a part of the Emerging Writers Group at Sydney Theatre Company and has two original works in development. Her first work, ORANGE THROWER, had its stage premiere in February 2022 with Griffin Theatre Company and National Theatre of Parramatta. ORANGE THROWER was the winner of the 2019 Rodney Seaborn Playwrights Award. Kirsty is currently in development with Belvoir St Theatre for her second play – THE ZAP, winner of the 2020 Max Afford Playwrights Award, which was developed with Playwriting Australia and Darlinghurst Theatre Company's Next In Line program. She has been a part of multiple creative programs including Griffin Theatre Company's Studio Artist Program (2020), Sydney Theatre Company's Rough Draft Program (2019) and Malthouse Theatre's Besen Writers Group (2018). In addition to being an award-winning writer, Kirsty is an accomplished performer having starred in drama including the Australian Premiere of HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD, THE CHERRY ORCHARD with Belvoir St Theatre, HOME, I'M DARLING with Sydney Theatre Company, and COMA LAND with Black Swan State Theatre Company. Her acting credits in film and television include THE GREENHOUSE directed by Thomas Wilson-White; HOOK UP directed by Laura Nagy (short for MQFF/Paper Moose) and HOME AND AWAY. Kirsty attended WAAPA and has a BA in Creative Writing/Performance Studies. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Orange Thrower plays at the Griffin Theatre Company from 18 February - 26 March 2022 followed by a season at Riverside Theatres, Parramatta from Mar 30 — Apr 2, 2022. TICKETS: Griffin Theatre Riverside Parramatta FOLLOW OUR LINKTREE FOR ALL OUR CONTENT Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zindzi Okenyo has a lot on her plate. The actor, musician and Play School host is now a theatre director. Her first plays, Seven Methods of Killing Kylie Jenner and Orange Thrower, are bitingly honest portrayals of growing up black in predominantly white communities. Also, when Kim Crotty couldn't be with his sons, he wrote them stories instead — 47 of them. These stories are shared in a new play at this year's Perth Festival called The Smallest Stage — a play that also reveals the reason for their separation: Kim was in prison.

Zindzi Okenyo has a lot on her plate. The actor, musician and Play School host is now a theatre director. Her first plays, Seven Methods of Killing Kylie Jenner and Orange Thrower, are bitingly honest portrayals of growing up black in predominantly white communities. Also, when Kim Crotty couldn't be with his sons, he wrote them stories instead — 47 of them. These stories are shared in a new play at this year's Perth Festival called The Smallest Stage — a play that also reveals the reason for their separation: Kim was in prison.

Zindzi Okenyo has a lot on her plate. The actor, musician and Play School host is now a theatre director. Her first plays, Seven Methods of Killing Kylie Jenner and Orange Thrower, are bitingly honest portrayals of growing up black in predominantly white communities. Also, when Kim Crotty couldn't be with his sons, he wrote them stories instead — 47 of them. These stories are shared in a new play at this year's Perth Festival called The Smallest Stage — a play that also reveals the reason for their separation: Kim was in prison.

Tim Duggan is an optimist who firmly believes in the power of business to do good. He has co-founded several digital media ventures, most notably Junkee Media, one of the leading publishers for Australian millennials. Tim's first book, Cult Status: How to Build a Business People Adore, was named the Best Entrepreneurship and Small Business Book at the 2021 Australian Business Book Awards. His second book, Killer Thinking: How to Turn Good Ideas into Brilliant Ones, will be published in May 2022. Tim is also the chairman of the Digital Publishers Alliance, an industry body that represents over a hundred titles from leading independent digital publishers. He began his career as a music journalist for Rolling Stone, and sits on several boards including the Griffin Theatre Company, Australia's new writing theatre. Tim lives with his husband, Ben, and dog, Winnie, in Sydney. Cult Status Website: http://cultstatus.com/ Tim's LinkedIn: HERE

On this episode we sit down with actor Julian Garner to discuss The Museum of Modern Love, Marina Abramović's The Artist is Present and what kept Julian busy throughout lockdown. Julian is a National Institute of Dramatic Arts (NIDA) graduate. His theatre credits include The Turquoise Elephant for Griffin Theatre Company; Inner Voices for Red Line Productions; Arcadiaand Storm Boy for Sydney Theatre Company; The Crucible, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Much Ado About Nothing and Cyrano de Bergerac for Sport for Jove; Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet, As You Like It, The Wars of the Roses, Measure for Measure and Twelfth Night for Bell Shakespeare His television credits include Top of the Lake: China Girl, Reckoning, Pulse, Janet King, McLeod's Daughters, Blackjack, Home and Away and more recently the Peter Duncan directed mini-series Operation Buffalo. His film credits include Top End Wedding, Killing Ground, Problem Play, Head On, The Children of the Corn and I Am Woman He is currently filming on Network Ten's series 2 of The Secret She Keeps. "[A] rare treat… an astute meditation on art, bravery, friendship, love, how to live, and on dying." - Sydney Morning Herald novel review Following a successful series of development readings staged as part of Sydney Festival 2021, Seymour Centre is proud to present the world premiere production of The Museum of Modern Love at Sydney Festival 2022. Adapted from the Stella Prize-winning novel by Heather Rose, The Museum of Modern Love follows New York-based film composer, Arky Levin, a man struggling to live and work in the face of incredible loss. By chance, Arky finds his way to MoMA and sees Marina Abramović in The Artist is Present—a marathon and now-legendary feat of performance art that saw Abramović sitting silent and completely still opposite thousands of museum visitors in the spring of 2010. Arky returns to MoMA again and again, and encounters other viewers also drawn to the exhibit, each with their own reasons for spending hours in the presence of Abramović. As the performance unfolds, so does Arky, and with his life coming back into focus, he finally understands what he must do to move forward. Set against the backdrop of one of the greatest art events in modern history, and blurring the lines between spectator and artist, this transfixing new work explores dying and living, courage and commitment—and meditates on the power of art to unite and connect us, even in an increasingly disconnected world. As part of The Museum of Modern Love, 10 people per performance will have the opportunity to sit on stage and be part of the action. All on-stage ticket holders will need to meet backstage before the show for a briefing and ticket holders will need to stay on stage for the duration of the performance. Further details on the Seymour Centre Website. Below you can find all the links to things discussed in today's episode: TICKETS - https://www.sydneyfestival.org.au/events/the-museum-of-modern-love Marina Abramović's The Artist is Present Marina meets former partner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lee Lewis commenced her career as an actor, training at Columbia University in New York. Her performance resumes includes work on and off-Broadway. Upon her return to Australia she completed a Masters of Directing at the National Institute of Dramatic Art.As a director, Lee has forged a stellar career and it is exciting to see that her work on Suzie Miller's incredible Prima Facie helped build an international appetite for this powerful production, which debuts in London next year.Lee has been an outspoken advocate for increased cultural diversity on Australian main stages, and a leading voice for the representation of female directors and playwrights.In 2013 she was appointed Artistic Director at The Griffin Theatre in Sydney, overseeing a vast array of new Australian works. In 2020 she became A.D. of the Queensland Theatre Company; a month in, confronted with the challenge presented by the Covid pandemic and the closure of theatres.Lee's vast resume has seen her directing classic and new work at companies around Australia including the Sydney and Melbourne Theatre Companies and Bell Shakespeare. The theatre she has given vision to includes Our Town, Family Values, First Love is the Revolution, Is There Something Wrong With That Lady?, The Almighty Sometimes, Kill Climate Deniers, Eight Gigabytes of Hardcore Pornography, The Homosexuals or ‘Faggots', The Bleeding Tree, Emerald City, A Rabbit for Kim Jong-il, The Serpent's Table, Silent Disco, Smurf In Wanderland, The Call, A Hoax, The Nightwatchman, The Literati, The Misanthrope, Mary Stuart, Honour, Love-Lies-Bleeding, Hayfever, Rupert; That Face, The School for Wives and Twelfth Night.The STAGES podcast is available from Apple podcasts, Spotify and Whooshkaa. And where you find your favourite podcasts. www.stagespodcast.com.au

When a devastating diagnosis halted Michelle Ryan's dance career, she spent ten years away from the stage, but then some giants of dance brought her back into the spotlight. She's now artistic director of Adelaide's Restless Dance Theatre, which turns 30 this year. Also, award-winning playwright Kendall Feaver confronts sexual assault on campus in Wherever She Wanders at Griffin and we take a look at the curious history of pantomime with Virginia Gay, whose new play at Belvoir is called The Boomkak Panto.

When a devastating diagnosis halted Michelle Ryan's dance career, she spent ten years away from the stage, but then some giants of dance brought her back into the spotlight. She's now artistic director of Adelaide's Restless Dance Theatre, which turns 30 this year. Also, award-winning playwright Kendall Feaver confronts sexual assault on campus in Wherever She Wanders at Griffin and we take a look at the curious history of pantomime with Virginia Gay, whose new play at Belvoir is called The Boomkak Panto.

When a devastating diagnosis halted Michelle Ryan's dance career, she spent ten years away from the stage, but then some giants of dance brought her back into the spotlight. She's now artistic director of Adelaide's Restless Dance Theatre, which turns 30 this year.Also, award-winning playwright Kendall Feaver confronts sexual assault on campus in Wherever She Wanders at Griffin and we take a look at the curious history of pantomime with Virginia Gay, whose new play at Belvoir is called The Boomkak Panto.

In this episode, Caitlin spoke with playwright, director and dramaturg, Andrea James.   Andrea is a Yorta Yorta/Gunaikurnai woman who is dedicated to the telling of First Nations stories on stage. She was Artistic Director of Melbourne Workers Theatre 2001-2008, was a playwright in residence at Melbourne Theatre Company and is currently an Associate Artist at Griffin Theatre Company.  Andrea's plays have appeared on stages across Australia and around the world.  Here, we speak about her theatre practice, and her two most recent plays, Sunshine Super Girl, about Wiradjuri tennis champion Evonne Goolagong, and, Dogged, written in collaboration with Catherine Ryan.   *** Grab copies of Andrea's scripts here: https://tinyurl.com/axncm7a6 *** Music by Grace Turner.  

Steve Rodgers joins Regina to talk about his life stomping the boards as an actor and writer for the stage. Steve trained at Theatre Nepean at Western Sydney University and has been working as an actor for thirty years. Theatre credits include Every Brilliant Thing, Cloudstreet, Twelfth Night, The Blind Giant Is Dancing, Night on Bald Mountain, The Pillowman, The Kiss, A Christmas Carol and Jasper Jones (Belvoir), Riflemind, Three Sisters, Dance Better At Parties, Democracy, As You Like It, (Sydney Theatre Company), Dreams in White, Eight Gigabytes of Hardcore Pornography and Diving for Pearls  (Griffin Theatre Company), Boys Next Door and Street Car Named Desire (Ensemble Theatre), A Midsummer Night's Dream , Macbeth, and Antony and Cleopatra (Bell Shakespeare Company). Steve's most recent television credits include Upright, Kikki and Kitty and The Code while film credits include Goldstone, The Daughter, The Men's Group and the short Snare, which played at SXSW, Tribeca and Sydney Film Festival this year. Steve's writing credits include the plays Ray's Tempest (Belvoir; MTC), Food (Belvoir / Force Majeure), Savage River (Griffin / MTC), and Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam (Belvoir / National Theatre of Parramatta) and most recently King of Pigs for Red Line at the Old Fitz.  

Have you ever heard that a creative arts career is risky mentally, financially, and even physically? You are not alone...listen to Season 5 Episode 2: Taking Calculated Risks with Circus Artist: Luke Ha from Melbourne, Australia, and host Lara.  - Luke shifted into the circus and performance industry after a 10-year competitive gymnastics career. He completed his degree at the National Institute of Circus Arts in 2007. During this time he performed in Melbourne Festival's DiVino, the Commonwealth Games Closing Ceremony, and created his own showcase act. After graduating he went on to perform in Osaka at Universal Studios Japan for 11 months. He reached the semi-finals in Australia's Got Talent; was part of the creation, development, and performing cast of ShangHai Lady Killer with Stalker Theatre Company at Brisbane Festival; and was the opening Straps performer in Sydney's Chinese New Year Twilight Parade 2010 on George Street. Luke ventured to Macau, China for almost 3 years and performed over one thousand performances with Dragone's The House of Dancing Water, where he was part of the house troupe as well as a character understudy. Since returning to Australia at the end of 2013, Luke performed with Griffin Theatre Company in their Sydney Festival show The Serpent's Table;  performed The Lounge: A Circus Cabaret for the Melbourne Fringe Festival; performed solo and together with his wife Anni; whom he now has had 3 children with. Since 2014 Luke has become a graded Stunt Action Performer, performed a tour with Circus Oz, featured in Australian Ninja Warrior, and become a key obstacle course tester and rigger while also starting his own family business, a Ninja Warrior family fitness and fun facility, Ninja Nation. - About Artist's House International  Lara Bianca Pilcher, the host of the Artist's-House International Podcast (AHI), is an experienced show host and international speaker. Her career in the arts industry spans over 20 years. Artist's House International is a not-for-profit that uses the tool of creativity to help transform lives, form a global community, and capture the global voice of believer artists. AHI founders, Andrew and Lara Pilcher have been married for 15 years and have two awesome kids. - -We invite you to subscribe to this Podcast and share it with others! -We invite you to support this Podcast by visiting us on Patreon -To find out more about AHI visit: artistshouseinternational.com Lara: Lara's links - ALL LINKS: LINKTREE linktr.ee/artistshouseinternational - Website: artistshouseinternational.com/

Celebrated actress Tina Bursill's outstanding career spans decades, with a substantial body of work which has brought to life some of Australia's best loved characters on stage and screen.Commencing her career in revues and political satire, such as Scandals of '74 and The Son of the Naked Vicar before transitioning to other genres, Tina's characters are often cool, grounded and self-reliant women tinged with humour, including alcoholic Lenore in Time of Our Lives, Sonia Stevens in Prisoner, Louise Carter in Skyways, single mum Hilary Scheppers in Heartbreak High and Maree the project mum in both A Moody Christmas and The Moodys. In Doctor Doctor, her portrayal of family matriarch and outspoken mayor Meryl Knight has earned Tina two AACTA Award nominations, in 2017 for Best Supporting Actress and in 2018 for Best Actress. Her other television credits include Frayed (Series 2), Wentworth (series 8), Neighbours, Jack Irish, Rake, Crownies, Offspring, Farscape, Flying Doctors, Jackeroo, Winner Takes All and the animation The Three Musketeers.Tina starred in the feature film Jilted which earned her an AFI Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role. Her other film credits include Wish You Were Here, Three Blind Mice, The Great McCarthy, Billy's Holiday, Heroes Mountain and Never Tell Me Never.Her theatre credits include Top Silk, Beyond Mozambique and Zastrozzi for Nimrod Theatre, Feather in the Web for Griffin Theatre Company, Boys Will Be Boys and Up For Grabs at the Sydney Theatre Company.Tina has also conquered the musical theatre stage in productions of Grease, Godspell and Manning Clark's A History of Australia - the Musical. She will soon return to that stage playing the role of Madame in Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella. A perfect way to celebrate 50 years as an actor.The STAGES podcast is available from Apple podcasts, Spotify and Whooshkaa. Also where you find your favourite podcasts. www.stagespodcast.com.au

Rachel and Heather talk about survival in this industry, both physically and mentally, and how we can approach survival on an individual level and as a collective industry. Rachel Chant is a theatre director and festival director of https://www.bondifestival.com.au/ (Bondi Festival). In 2020/21 she is the recipient of the Ensemble Theatre Sandra Bates Director's Award. A member of Melbourne Theatre Company's 2019 Women in Theatre Program, she has worked as director, script assessor and dramaturg for Playwriting Australia and as a guest director and teaching artist at NIDA, AIMDA and ATYP. Rachel was the Artistic Associate for the inaugural women's theatre festival, Festival Fatale, produced by Women in Theatre and Screen; was the resident dramaturg for Red Line Productions' ‘New Fitz' new writing program, and from 2013-2015 was Associate Director at Rock Surfers Theatre Company. Rachel has a Masters of Applied Theatre Studies from the University of New England. Recent projects include: Cybec Electric (Melbourne Theatre Company); Deoxyribo-Whatever Acid (Lysicrates Prize); Good Dog (Kings X Theatre x Green Door Theatre Company); Love (Darlinghurst Theatre Company); Glengarry Glen Ross (NIDA); Intersection 2018: Chrysalis (ATYP @ Griffin); 2018 Griffin Award Readings (Griffin Theatre Company); Outposts Development Program (Playwriting Australia and Hothouse Theatre); The Village Bike (Old Fitz Theatre); Moth (ATYP); Leaves (Kings X Theatre); When the Rain Stops Falling (New Theatre); Decay (Old505 Theatre); Machine (Old505 Theatre); Nil By Sea (Site&Sound). As Assistant Director: Cosi (dir. Sarah Goodes; MTC + STC); Mortido (dir. Leticia Caceres; Belvoir + STCSA).  Selected awards include Sydney Theatre Award nominations: Good Dog; Moth; The Village Bike. Broadway World Best Director Award: Leaves. Suzy Goes See's Best Direction: Love; When The Rain Stops Falling; GJ Borny Prize for exceptional ability in the areas of scholarship, research and production. Heather Mitchell is one of Australia's most respected actresses across film, television and theatre. Heather will next be seen in the SBS series THE UNUSUAL SUSPECTS, ABC/BBC coproduction WAKEFIELD, Netflix feature BOSCH & ROCKIT, Del Kathryn Barton's debut feature BLAZE and on  stage in PLAYING BEATIE BOW for the Sydney Theatre Company. She recently featured in the ABC series OPERATION BUFFALO, Network 10 series THE SECRETS SHE KEEPS, Foxtel series UPRIGHT alongside Tim Minchin, Network Seven's MS FISHER'S MODERN MURDER MYSTERIES and Rachel Ward's PALM BEACH alongside Richard E Grant, Bryan Brown and Sam Neill. Heather has an impressive list of television credits including Foxtel's highly popular series A PLACE TO CALL HOME, U.S. ABC series REEF BREAK, ABC series HARROW, ABC telemovie RIOT, Seven Network's MOLLY, Nine Network's POWER GAMES for which she received a 2014 AACTA Award nomination for Best Guest or Supporting Actress in a Television Drama, and the ABC telemovie JACK IRISH: BLACK TIDE. Her other television credits include the Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks US miniseries THE PACIFIC, NEWTOWN'S LAW, JANET KING, MISS FISHER'S MURDER MYSTERIES, A MODEL DAUGHTER: THE KILLING OF CAROLINE BYRNE, SATISFACTION, THE FALLS, BLUE WATER HIGH, THE SOCIETY MURDERS, HELL HAS HARBOUR VIEWS, ALL SAINTS, SPELLBINDER, CROWNIES, DANCE ACADEMY, SPIRITED, RAKE and UNDERBELLY: THE MAN WHO GOT AWAY. Heather's feature credits include Baz Luhrmann's THE GREAT GATSBY, Fred Schepisi's THE EYE OF THE STORM, Leon Ford's GRIFF THE INVISIBLE, David Barker's PIMPED, Dean Francis' DROWN, Jim Lounsbury's LOVE IS NOW, THE WEDDING PARTY which premiered at the 2010 Melbourne Film Festival, THREE BLIND MICE, Greg McLean's ROGUE, Cherie Nowlan's THANK GOD HE MET LIZZIE,...

In this episode Paula Arundell joins James to perform and discuss Richard Gloucester's speech from Act 3 of Henry VI Part 3. They speak about the complexity of a ‘villain' and how actors approach such characters in the rehearsal room. Paula recounts her extensive career in Australia, from early Shakespeare performances to her current role as Hermione in the Melbourne production of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. Paula Arundell is a multi-award-winning actor who has worked with Bell Shakespeare, Belvoir, Sydney Theatre Company, Griffin Theatre Company, Melbourne Theatre Company and Ensemble Theatre.

Saimi Jeong speaks to Kirk Page, proud Mulandjali man, actor, writer and movement director of the Griffin Theatre Company play Dogged. For more on Dogged and to grab tickets, head here. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When dancer Amy Hollingsworth was just 18, she suffered a potentially career-ending injury. Yet, she didn't just recover — she flourished. She's now the artistic director of the Australasian Dance Collective, which is about to make its return to the stage. Also, we hear a scene from Andrea James and Catherine Ryan's Australian gothic play Dogged now at Sydney's Griffin Theatre and we consider the journey of social dance, particularly hip-hop, from the streets and clubs to the theatre with Erin Brannigan.

When dancer Amy Hollingsworth was just 18, she suffered a potentially career-ending injury. Yet, she didn't just recover — she flourished. She's now the artistic director of the Australasian Dance Collective, which is about to make its return to the stage. Also, we hear a scene from Andrea James and Catherine Ryan's Australian gothic play Dogged now at Sydney's Griffin Theatre and we consider the journey of social dance, particularly hip-hop, from the streets and clubs to the theatre with Erin Brannigan.

When dancer Amy Hollingsworth was just 18, she suffered a potentially career-ending injury. Yet, she didn't just recover — she flourished. She's now the artistic director of the Australasian Dance Collective, which is about to make its return to the stage.Also, we hear a scene from Andrea James and Catherine Ryan's Australian gothic play Dogged now at Sydney's Griffin Theatre and we consider the journey of social dance, particularly hip-hop, from the streets and clubs to the theatre with Erin Brannigan.

Oliver Twist is a comedian with a very challenging past — he was born in Rwanda as the country was being torn apart by civil war. Now he's an Australian and he's telling his story in a one-man show called Jali at Sydney's Griffin Theatre.Also, Australian composer Carmel Dean writes songs for history-makers in Well-Behaved Women, and playwright Anchuli Felicia King discusses how the Royal Shakespeare Company's digital productions are changing how we perceive theatrical space.

Oliver Twist is a comedian with a very challenging past — he was born in Rwanda as the country was being torn apart by civil war. Now he's an Australian and he's telling his story in a one-man show called Jali at Sydney's Griffin Theatre. Also, Australian composer Carmel Dean writes songs for history-makers in Well-Behaved Women, and playwright Anchuli Felicia King discusses how the Royal Shakespeare Company's digital productions are changing how we perceive theatrical space.

Oliver Twist is a comedian with a very challenging past — he was born in Rwanda as the country was being torn apart by civil war. Now he's an Australian and he's telling his story in a one-man show called Jali at Sydney's Griffin Theatre. Also, Australian composer Carmel Dean writes songs for history-makers in Well-Behaved Women, and playwright Anchuli Felicia King discusses how the Royal Shakespeare Company's digital productions are changing how we perceive theatrical space.

Oliver Twist is a comedian with a very challenging past — he was born in Rwanda as the country was being torn apart by civil war. Now he's an Australian and he's telling his story in a one-man show called Jali at Sydney's Griffin Theatre. Also, Australian composer Carmel Dean writes songs for history-makers in Well-Behaved Women, and playwright Anchuli Felicia King discusses how the Royal Shakespeare Company's digital productions are changing how we perceive theatrical space.

In 1985 the Stables Theatre was put up for sale, sparking fear that the home of true Australian storytelling would lost. Griffin Theatre Company's inaugural Artistic Director Peter Kingston and administrator at the time, Bill Eggerking, tell the remarkable story of how retired psychiatrist and Kings Cross local Dr Rodney Seaborn bought the building and saved the venue. A ‘guardian angel' of Sydney theatre, he created the Seaborn, Broughton & Walford Foundation which not only lends its name to the SBW Stables Theatre, but has continually provided philanthropic support to the performing arts in Australia. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Since launching to stardom with The Sapphires, Shari Sebbens has become a mainstay of the Australian stage and screen. Now making her directorial debut at Griffin, she has high hopes for what it might mean to other aspiring theatre-makers.Also, Opera Queensland bring us An Aria a Day and voice and dialect coach Leith McPherson helps us to channel our inner politician.

Since launching to stardom with The Sapphires, Shari Sebbens has become a mainstay of the Australian stage and screen. Now making her directorial debut at Griffin, she has high hopes for what it might mean to other aspiring theatre-makers. Also, Opera Queensland bring us An Aria a Day and voice and dialect coach Leith McPherson helps us to channel our inner politician.

Since launching to stardom with The Sapphires, Shari Sebbens has become a mainstay of the Australian stage and screen. Now making her directorial debut at Griffin, she has high hopes for what it might mean to other aspiring theatre-makers. Also, Opera Queensland bring us An Aria a Day and voice and dialect coach Leith McPherson helps us to channel our inner politician.

Brenna remembers her desperate campaign to convince her mothers to give her a sibling. Brenna Harding is an actor, board member of Wear it Purple, founder of Moonlight Feminist and LGBT rights advocate. She’s performed in productions for Melbourne Theatre Company, Sydney Theatre Company, The Old Fitz Theatre, Belvoir St, Malthouse and Griffin Theatre Company. She is best known for her role in Puberty Blues but you might have also seen her in Secret City, The Code, My Place, Packed to the Rafters, A Place to Call Home and Netflix’s Black Mirror, directed by Jodie Foster. In 2012, Brenna won the Logie for Most Popular New Female Talent and in 2014 received the Marie Bashir Peace Prize for her contribution to social justice. In 2018, Brenna was a Heath Ledger Scholarship finalist. Queerstories is an LGBTQI+ storytelling night programmed by Maeve Marsden, with regular events around Australia. For Queerstories event dates, visit www.maevemarsden.com, and follow Queerstories on Facebook. The Queerstories book is published by Hachette Australia, and can be purchased from your favourite independent bookseller or on Booktopia. To support Queerstories, become a patron at www.patreon.com/ladysingsitbetter And for gay stuff and insomnia rants follow me - Maeve Marsden - on Twitter and Instagram. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ben Brantley, the New York Times' chief theatre critic since 1996, reflects on his lifelong love of theatre, Broadway's unprecedented shutdown, and the perception that a Times review can make or break a show. Also, cabaret icon Ali McGregor hosts an online variety show where you call the shots and we meet a woman intimately familiar with Belvoir St Theatre's history and design: her father drew the blueprints!

Ben Brantley, the New York Times' chief theatre critic since 1996, reflects on his lifelong love of theatre, Broadway's unprecedented shutdown, and the perception that a Times review can make or break a show. Also, cabaret icon Ali McGregor hosts an online variety show where you call the shots and we meet a woman intimately familiar with Belvoir St Theatre's history and design: her father drew the blueprints!

Ben Brantley, the New York Times' chief theatre critic since 1996, reflects on his lifelong love of theatre, Broadway's unprecedented shutdown, and the perception that a Times review can make or break a show.Also, cabaret icon Ali McGregor hosts an online variety show where you call the shots and we meet a woman intimately familiar with Belvoir St Theatre's history and design: her father drew the blueprints!

Queensland Ballet artistic director Li Cunxin has continually shown his capacity for triumphing against the odds. He's drawn on that strength again to guide his company through the COVID-19 shutdown.Also, we check in with performing arts companies around the country to gauge the mood, and speak with the Federal Arts Minister Paul Fletcher about the Government's response to a sector in crisis.

Queensland Ballet artistic director Li Cunxin has continually shown his capacity for triumphing against the odds. He's drawn on that strength again to guide his company through the COVID-19 shutdown. Also, we check in with performing arts companies around the country to gauge the mood, and speak with the Federal Arts Minister Paul Fletcher about the Government's response to a sector in crisis.

Queensland Ballet artistic director Li Cunxin has continually shown his capacity for triumphing against the odds. He's drawn on that strength again to guide his company through the COVID-19 shutdown. Also, we check in with performing arts companies around the country to gauge the mood, and speak with the Federal Arts Minister Paul Fletcher about the Government's response to a sector in crisis.

“Mlima’s Tale” presented by Griffin Theatre Company at the Raven Theater, Chicago is a powerful, sensitive, heartrending depiction of greed and corruption associated with the illegal sale of elephant ivory, which results in the slaughter of approximately 100 of the endangered animals every day.

Treasured Australian playwright David Williamson reflects on fifty years in theatre ahead of the opening of his last ever plays, a transgender woman's journey is conveyed in song in As One, and ahead of Australia Day, we ask Wesley Enoch and Jane Harrison about their relationship with 26 January.

Treasured Australian playwright David Williamson reflects on fifty years in theatre ahead of the opening of his last ever plays, a transgender woman's journey is conveyed in song in As One, and ahead of Australia Day, we ask Wesley Enoch and Jane Harrison about their relationship with 26 January.

Treasured Australian playwright David Williamson reflects on fifty years in theatre ahead of the opening of his last ever plays, a transgender woman's journey is conveyed in song in As One, and ahead of Australia Day, we ask Wesley Enoch and Jane Harrison about their relationship with 26 January.

Collaboration is the essential life-force of the theatre. Disparate roles work together to produce an experience that is ephemeral; but if successful, the memory may last a lifetime.The adventure often begins with the Playwright, who drafts a blue-print of words and character and action that is then nurtured by a team and its nurturing wordsmith ‘parent'.Tommy Murphy is such a ‘parent’. He is one of our eminent story-tellers and collaboration comes easy. It is a process he relishes. Perhaps it’s being one of eight children that has fostered the skill.Tommy Murphy is an award-winning playwright with recent productions in New York, San Francisco, Indiana, Los Angeles, Auckland, Melbourne and Sydney. He is the only playwright to win the NSW Premier’s Award, a prestigious national writing prize, in successive years.Tommy is a graduate of the National Institute of Dramatic Art (Director’s course) and a former writer in residence at Griffin Theatre Company. His plays include an adaptation of Marlowe’s Massacre at Paris, Holding The Man, Strangers in Between, Troy’s House, Gwen in Purgatory, Saturn’s Return, Mark Colvin’s Kidney and Precipice.His next play is Packer & Sons - a story that puts four generations of the Packer family on stage; men who loomed large over Sydney for nearly 100 years. It receives its debut season at the Belvoir Street Theatre from November 16th through to December 22nd.Tommy sat down with me to discuss Playwriting, Process and the Packers.Find more information on Packer & Sons at www.belvoir.com.auThe Stages Podcast is available in iTunes, Spotify and Whooshkaa

On stage at NIDA's Playhouse, we bring together a panel of teachers, alumni and students to reflect on 60 years of professional theatre training in Australia. We're joined by John Bashford, director of NIDA's Centre for Acting, Ben Schostakowski, leader of the Master of Fine Arts course in directing, alumni Lee Lewis, the artistic director of Griffin Theatre Company, and actor Dalara Williams (Blackie Blackie Brown, Winyanboga Yurringa, Top End Wedding), as well as current acting students Mabel Li and Bronte Thomson-Sparrow and recent directing graduate Tait de Lorenzo.

On stage at NIDA's Playhouse, we bring together a panel of teachers, alumni and students to reflect on 60 years of professional theatre training in Australia. We're joined by John Bashford, director of NIDA's Centre for Acting, Ben Schostakowski, leader of the Master of Fine Arts course in directing, alumni Lee Lewis, the artistic director of Griffin Theatre Company, and actor Dalara Williams (Blackie Blackie Brown, Winyanboga Yurringa, Top End Wedding), as well as current acting students Mabel Li and Bronte Thomson-Sparrow and recent directing graduate Tait de Lorenzo.

Come from Away is a new musical that takes audiences to the remote Canadian town of Gander on 11 September, 2001 when the town's population almost doubled, Yamatji and Wongi actor Meyne Wyatt makes his debut as a playwright in City of Gold, a co-production from Queensland Theatre and Griffin Theatre Company, and we visit the Old Fitz Theatre and its resident theatre company Red Line Productions which has a reputation for producing shows that transfer to bigger stages around Australia.

Come from Away is a new musical that takes audiences to the remote Canadian town of Gander on 11 September, 2001 when the town's population almost doubled, Yamatji and Wongi actor Meyne Wyatt makes his debut as a playwright in City of Gold, a co-production from Queensland Theatre and Griffin Theatre Company, and we visit the Old Fitz Theatre and its resident theatre company Red Line Productions which has a reputation for producing shows that transfer to bigger stages around Australia.

We meet legendary performer Uncle Jack Charles who has been awarded this year's Red Ochre Award, Cassie Tongue reviews Suzie Miller's Prima Facie at Griffin Theatre Company, Vietnamese circus company Nouveau Cirque du Vietnam bring their show À Ố Làng Phố to the Sydney Opera House, a listener shares memories of Germaine Greer teaching Shakespeare at Marrickville Girls Junior High, and we go behind the scenes with stage manager Khym Scott.

We meet legendary performer Uncle Jack Charles who has been awarded this year's Red Ochre Award, Cassie Tongue reviews Suzie Miller's Prima Facie at Griffin Theatre Company, Vietnamese circus company Nouveau Cirque du Vietnam bring their show À Ố Làng Phố to the Sydney Opera House, a listener shares memories of Germaine Greer teaching Shakespeare at Marrickville Girls Junior High, and we go behind the scenes with stage manager Khym Scott.

We travel to the Adelaide Fringe, learn about Griffin Theatre Company's Kill Climate Deniers, speak to Philip Quast about his role in Follies, and Kate Ceberano and Paul Grabowsky perform live.

We travel to the Adelaide Fringe, learn about Griffin Theatre Company's Kill Climate Deniers, speak to Philip Quast about his role in Follies, and Kate Ceberano and Paul Grabowsky perform live.

Richard Carroll is joined by Helpmann-winning director Lee Lewis (artistic director of Griffin Theatre Company) and legendary Australian composer and musical director Max Lambert (The Boy From Oz, Miracle City) to discuss their new production of Darlinghurst Nights at the Hayes. Darlinghurst Nights is a classic Australian musical by Katherine Thomson and Max Lambert (based on the poems of Kenneth Slessor), which debuted at Sydney Theatre Company in 1988. The show depicts working class people in Kings Cross and Darlinghurst in the early 1930s. The 30th anniversary production at the Hayes brings the show to the very area it depicts. www.hayestheatre.com.au

An interview with Declan Greene about his play The Homosexuals or 'Faggots', aired on Canvas: Art & Ideas on FBi Radio 94.5. ~ The Homosexuals or 'Faggots' By Declan Greene 17 March - 29 April 2017 Presented by Griffin Theatre Company in association with Malthouse Theatre Gay newlyweds Warren and Kim have it all – a small dog, a joint gym membership and a 20sqm apartment with stunning views. But in 2017 if you offend the wrong person your life will go straight down the Twitter-toilet. So on the night of Mardi Gras, when caught wearing a compromising costume, Kim’s got to think fast. How will he placate an angry radical-queer academic who already loathes gay men? Lies, lies and more lies. Throw in an Instagram affair, a missing baggie of cocaine, and a burglar (naturally), and you’ve got a very Potts Point version of a classic farce, laced with black-comic political intrigue. Director Lee Lewis reunites with Declan Greene (Summertime in the Garden of Eden, Eight Gigabytes of Hardcore Pornography) to venture where many fear to tread, as Declan asks some extraordinarily difficult questions of his own community: White Gay Men. How was marriage ordained as the #1 LGBTIQA issue of our time? Why do some colours in the rainbow flag get to shine brighter than others? And when was it, exactly, that gay men stopped throwing bottles and started buying Prosecco? The Homosexuals is very funny. It’s potentially very offensive. But one thing’s certain – it’ll be the talking point of our season. Produced by Aurora Scott for Canvas: Art & Ideas on FBi Radio

We sit down with playwright Angus Cerini to discuss his multi-award-winning play The Bleeding Tree, which is about to open at STC's Wharf 1 Theatre. This production of The Bleeding Tree, directed by Lee Lewis, was originally staged at Griffin Theatre Company in 2015. Those shows quickly sold out, so its upcoming season at the Wharf gives those who missed out a second chance to see it. The Bleeding Tree, 9 Mar – 8 Apr 2017, Wharf 1 Theatre Seeing the show? Let us know your thoughts. Tag @sydneytheatreco and #STCBleedingTree

In this episode Tim Bishop, Nana Miss Koori and Liza-Mare Syron talk to us about Koori Gras at 107 Projects. We play an interview with playwright Declan Greene about his upcoming work 'The Homosexuals' at Griffin Theatre Company and Malthouse Theatre, and artist Tony Albert joins us in the studio to talk about his practice and upcoming projects. Tracks by Anastasia Zaravinos aka Adonis.

On this show we talk to curator Toni Bailey and artist Guo Jian about ‘Refugees’ at Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre. We play a package from the rehearsal room of Powerhouse Youth Theatre (PYT) and Griffin Theatre Company’s co-production Tribunal. Finally, we are joined Giselle Stanborough for her segment ‘Internet famous: things that are faymous on the internet’. Music by Roslyn Helper.

It's finally launched! Here it is, the first episode of the Giant Thinkers podcast! As an extension of the blog giantthinkers.com – I'll be bringing in top experts from various industries worldwide to learn from their success and to help us become better designers, creatives and giant thinkers.In this first episode, design industry heavy-weight Chris Maclean joins the show. He is the Creative Director of Re. (M&C Saatchi Group) and previously the Executive Creative Director for Interbrand Australia. He's been a practicing designer for over 13 years. Originally from Manchester in the UK and currently living in Sydney, Australia.His work has helped transform brands such as Opera Australia, Griffin Theatre Company, Darling Harbour, Alzheimer’s Australia, Queensland Art Gallery and Australia’s biggest brand, Telstra. In 2012, Chris was recognised as one of Australia’s Power 20 by Australian Creative magazine for bravery in the creative industry.On top of that, he's been recognised by some of the world’s most prestigious awards bodies including D&AD, AGDA, Red Dot, Clio, Type Directors Club and IDCA. And he's a frequent writer, public speaker and lecturer on the subject of design and branding and their ability to change the world.See work by Chris here: http://www.chrismaclean.co.ukSubscribe to this podcast here: http://giantthinkers.com/podcast

Erin Dewar reads Andrew Bovell’s introduction to Speaking in Tongues, which was first performed in 1996 by the Griffin Theatre Company. The play has become an Australian classic - a rich and complex work that offers a few new answers, and mysteries, each time you approach it.