Back to Colombo, Sri Lanka!
I am looking forward to going back to Sri Lanka to teach a second Suzuki Workshop. Thanks to Saumya Liyanage for the invitation. I will also be screening the film of the show unHOWsed and doing a post show discussion. And HERE is a little article!
PARADE at Chapel Off Chapel
It was an incredibly special time working as a Cultural Consultant and an Acting Consultant on Soundworks' production of Parade. It performed at Chapel Off Chapel in Melbourne. The creative team were extraordinary and it received overwhelming response, reviews and full houses. Here is a link to a review: I also hosted a post show discussion with guests Dvir Abramovich and Effie Nkrumah Here are a few images and a REVIEW
And Some Reviews from Alabama for unHOWsed and Medea: Kaddish For The Children....
Alabama International Fringe Festival
Very happy to have 2 shows selected for the AIFF Digital Program in May - Medea: Kaddish For The Children and unHOWsed. Still can travel internationally!
Final Student Devised Production
I was very happy with the final performance for 2022 of my Devised Theatre students. Here are some photos!
Day After Terrible Day - with Danger Ensemble (director Steven Mitchell Wright) at Theatre Works
I have been working with the Danger Ensemble developing this new work - Day After Terrible Day, directed bay Steven Mitchell Wright. It's been exciting, challenging and wonderful to be part of this rigorous process of devising. The first season has been at Theatre Works, St Kilda. Here are a few reviews so far.
Australian Stage
My Melbourne Arts
Milk Bar Mag
The Plus Ones
Australian Stage
My Melbourne Arts
Milk Bar Mag
The Plus Ones
Directing 'Bayonet' by Alex Borovenskiy and Performed by Dan Vynohradov at Les Kurbas Centre, Kyiv Ukraine
It was an absolute pleasure to have been invited to be an international director for the series of performed reading, Ukraine. War. Text. 3.0. I worked with the wonderful Dan Vynohradov on 'Bayonet' written by Alex Borovenskiy. The works were performed at Les Krbas Centre in Kyiv, Ukraine (a day before the bombs started falling).
Development Showing of Peta Coy's Remount of Black Sequin Dress by Jenny Kemp at Explosives Factory (Theatre Works)
I have loved working with Peta Coy (Associate Artist, Theatre Works) in her very physical development/remount of Jenny Kemp's 'Black Sequin Dress'. We showed an excerpt of the work at Explosives Factory.
unHOWsed at ProAct Festival, Kyiv, Ukraine
Very excited that unHOWsed (filmed version) was selected as part of the 2022 ProAct Festival in Kyiv, Ukraine. The theme for the 2022 festival is 'Unbreakable'! Here is a discussion between myself at Artistic director of the festival, Alex Borovenskiy
Arts Alive - India and Australia
I was in conversation with the wonderful Indian performance maker, Kirtnana Kumar as part of the 2022 Arts Alive series. We talked arts, life, theatre and more. It looks like there will be a part 2 to our conversation! Thanks to Tammy Brennan (Australia) and Ramanjit Kaur (India)
Medea: Kaddish For The Children and unHOWsed at SerformanceP Festival 2021, Sao Paulo, Brazil
unHOWsed at Drum Theatre, Dandenong
So pleased to have screening of unHOWsed followed by a live/online Q&A. Thanks to Drum Theatre for presenting! 18th August 7.30pm
A Few Home Truths
My short 3 minute film - A Few Home Truths - made during Covid lockdown, has been doing well in film festivals internationally.
Here are a few laurels it has received.
Here are a few laurels it has received.
unHOWsed at the 2020 Cairo International Festival of Experimental Theatre
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We were very proud and excited that unHOWsed was chosen to be programmed in the 'in Competition' section of the highly regarded Cairo International Festival of Experimental Theatre (CIFET). We heard they had over 300 submissions!
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My one-minute film Pause as part of The long Minute August program
'The Long Minute" is a curated program of The Centre for the Less Good Ideas (founded by William Kentridge) - an interdisciplinary incubator space based in Maboneng, Johannesburg. My one minute film, Pause, was programmed in their August series by curator Bronwyn Lace. It can be seen HERE
Uncut: From the Blue Room
In the time of Covid lockdown: Uncut discussion hosted by (and the idea of) the wonderful Joe Sidek. Joe's George Town Festival in Penang was a highlight (presented KaBooM and The Dead Twin)! In his online series he talks with artists who participated in the festival. In my session were theatre director Roysten Abel and film & theatre director Saw Teong Hin. It was an inspiring discussion!
https://www.facebook.com/joesidek.net/videos/573768396908679/
https://www.facebook.com/joesidek.net/videos/573768396908679/
unHOWsed at Theatre Works
The premiere of season of unHOWsed has just finished at Theatre Works in St Kilda. The response to it has been even more positive than I had hoped. It's been a really privilege working on this project with the eight incredibly inspiring mature (ex)homeless women. Read more about it - and reviews HERE
We are now working on touring the show - stay tuned!
Suzuki/Present Performer at UVPA, Colombo, Sri Lanka
I'm heading to Sri Lanka to teach a Suzuki Workshop with elements of my Present Performer training at the University of Visual and Performing Arts in Colombo, Sri Lanka. It will be the first time the work has been taught in Sri Lanka - so I feel very honoured to be introducing it to the practitioners and students there. I will also be giving a postgraduate seminar talking about my work, KaBooM: Stories From Distant Frontlines, which was a practice-led PhD project. The work has since toured to Alice Springs and Malaysia.
Medea: Kaddish For The Children premiere performance season at FCAC
We have just completed our premiere season of Medea: Kaddish For The Children. The response was really strong - the work is quite unique. Very physical and full of strong images.
Link to trailer HERE
Reviews and more HERE.
Audience responses - shared on audience's social media - include:
This intimate, raw production is on at the beautiful FCAC in Footscray. The performance this duo weave is magical.
I don't think you will see much like it. The layers of mythology, the soundscape and the imagery, the immersion and the 'meta' performance...
I had the pleasure and privilege to see it tonight it is extraordinary
Truely fascinating multi-media work that allows for individual and personal interpretations of the Medea story.
We are very happy with this work, and the response to it. We are now ready to remount and tour...Keep posted.....
Link to trailer HERE
Reviews and more HERE.
Audience responses - shared on audience's social media - include:
This intimate, raw production is on at the beautiful FCAC in Footscray. The performance this duo weave is magical.
I don't think you will see much like it. The layers of mythology, the soundscape and the imagery, the immersion and the 'meta' performance...
I had the pleasure and privilege to see it tonight it is extraordinary
Truely fascinating multi-media work that allows for individual and personal interpretations of the Medea story.
We are very happy with this work, and the response to it. We are now ready to remount and tour...Keep posted.....
And so 2019 takes off with rehearsals and residency at Footscray Arts Centre and Jewish Museum Australia for
Medea: Kaddish For The Children
Photo by Richard Moore
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Creative Development and Rehearsals have started for this new show which will be premiered at FCAC on 28th February. We are very excited to present this work which takes the feminist/woman's perspective on this classic story. It gives Medea voice to mourn for her losses - of home, family, language and children. It's so relevant! I have been working on it at FCAC but also as part of a residency at the Jewish Museum Australia, which also includes an exhibition of some of my past works. Link to Jewish Museum Australia HERE
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KaBooM: Stories From Distant Frontlines at George Town Festival, Penang
In a new incarnation of this performance installation for George Town Festival, Allie Wilde joined the team as a performer and Ben Beare as tech and lighting. The work was performed in an abandoned two story building and we spent a week prior to the show to collaborate with the site. Audience response: "powerful", "moving", "real", "thank you for bringing the work".
Here are a couple of reviews:
Penang Monthly
Bakchormeeboy
Some photos below by ThumCC
Here are a couple of reviews:
Penang Monthly
Bakchormeeboy
Some photos below by ThumCC
Fitting - Screening at Sydney Film Festival
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The short film, Fitting (director: Emily Avila, Producer: Emily Avila and Jackson Lapsley Scott, DOP: Adric Watson) has just been screened at Sydney Film Festival. Film maker Emily Avila won the 2017 Lexus Short Film award to make this film. I play the lead role, Diane. The film is a powerful and sensitive portrayal about the power of a chance meeting between two women. The film will also be screening at the Palm Springs International Film Festival, CineFest OZ and BFI London International Film Festival |
Unknown Neighbours - Ranters Theatre and Creative VaQi as part Of Festival of Live Arts at Theatre Works (and beyond)
Unknown Neighbours moved from Ansan Festival in Korea to the Festival of Live Arts (FOLA) in Melbourne. We created new material in response to the place - St Kilda - a very residential suburb. Audiences were split up and allocated one of four houses - mine being one of them! It was creatively satisfying and intense working period which I loved. Thanks Ranters Theatre (director, Adriano Cortese) and Creative VaQi (director, Kyung-Sung Lee). Hoping this gets another outing in a different location or two ... or more.
Fitting - Short film by Emily Avila (Sydney Film Festival 2018)
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The year began with a lead role in the short film, Fitting, by young film maker Emily Avila - winner of the 2017 Lexus Short Film Fellowship. The film will premiere at the Sydney Film Festival in June.
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UnHOWsed Creative Development
One more project development before the year finishes. I was asked to work on Subletting at 50 - a new performance work by a group of women writers. For this first stage of development, at Northcote Town Hall, I worked with the wonderful musician Nela Trifkovic. We will continue this first stage development in January.
The Dead Twin at George Town Festival, Penang, Malaysia
I have just returned from the George Town Festival in Penang, Malaysia where we presented The Dead Twin - a promenade visceral performance work which I directed and performed in! It was adapted to a great heritage building - The Whiteaways Arcade - in central Penang. It looked so beautiful in this site and audiences were incredibly responsive to the work and the festival staff and volunteers were amazing. Below are a few photos taken by Sherwin Kessler.
My Body My Country at Queer Zagreb, Croatia
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This durational live-art performance was programmed as part of Queer Zagreb. Supported by Domino Arts and the Australian Embassy in Croatia, the piece is a development and extended full performance of the 30minute version I created for Richard Schechner's Imagining O (Peak Performance Festival in New York) in 2014. This 3 hour work was performed at the Zagreb Dance Centre and received such strong positive responses. More info about the work HERE
As part of the festival I also ran a workshop (The Present Performer) and spoke on a panel. |
Unknown Neighbours at Ansan Festival, Korea
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2017 has started with a continuation of working with Ranters Theatre and Creative VaQi - but we have now relocated to Ansan, South Korea, for one month, creating the work, Unknown Neighbours, for the Ansan Festival. The work is site specific and uses the whole precinct in and around the Ansan Arts Centre. It has been a very fulfilling time. working with both companies. And extra thanks to the directors of the work and the companies, Adriano Cortese and Kyung-Sung Lee. |
Ranters Theatre/VaQi (Korea) Collaboration
Unknown Neighbours
2016 finished with a 3 week development as part of Ranters Theatre (director: Adriano Cortese) in collaboration with the Korean company VaQi (Artistic Director: Kyung-Sung Lee). The piece we were developing is "Unknown Neighbours" (previously "Short Films: Encounters") which looks at encounters, response and reframing of place. Most of the development happened in St Kilda, but we also spent one week at Bundanon.
We finished with a presentation of the work we had been exploring.
The next step for the work is at the Ansan Festival in Seoul, Korea in April/May 2017
Residency in Croatia - Domino Project and Sounded Bodies Festival
I have recently been in Zagreb, Croatia where I was a resident artist thanks to Domino Project. I was working on my new solo work I: MEDEA (working title) thanks to the great studio they gave me. The residency was also supported by the Australian Embassy in Croatia. I am very excited in the way that this new work has developed - and am very thankful to Domino for helping with this. They were all so welcoming and helpful and embracing.
As part of the residency I was also part to the Sounded Bodies Festival where I gave a two-day workshop. The participants were incredible! Here is an article about the festival by Mihaela Rovare
This is the first step of the relationship and the plan is to finish making the work and then take it back to Zagreb next year as part of an East European tour. Working in this now!
As part of the residency I was also part to the Sounded Bodies Festival where I gave a two-day workshop. The participants were incredible! Here is an article about the festival by Mihaela Rovare
This is the first step of the relationship and the plan is to finish making the work and then take it back to Zagreb next year as part of an East European tour. Working in this now!
Play For Australia
Play For Australia was developed by Jim Lawson with support from Creative Victoria and Arts Centre Melbourne. 12 playwrights from different backgrounds were asked to write plays of 600 words about national identity. Two directors - myself and John Kachoyan worked on six plays each over one week before presenting them at Arts Centre Melbourne. Each session was followed by great panel discussion. This project was very powerful and will hopefully have further lives.
Here are some links to press:
Arts Centre Melbourne
ABC Radio National
The Music
Here are some links to press:
Arts Centre Melbourne
ABC Radio National
The Music
The Leah Goldberg Variations at The Butterfly Club
I have been working with cellist Adi Sappir in making a new work based on the life and poetry of Leah Goldberg. We have used Leah Goldberg’s poems and diaries to reanimate her spirit to create an evocative performance work featuring live cello, visuals and the spoken word. Here are some photos from the stage 1 performances at The Butterfly Club in Melbourne (photos by Richard Moore).
The Procrastination Project at George Paton Gallery as part of PSi#22
Mermaid Terrorist
Creative development has begun on Mermaid Terrorist in the Performance Space at FCAC thanks to a Creative Victoria grant. A lot of rich material was created with the artistic team, which reunites some of The Dead Twin ensemble: Writer Chi Vu, Performers Davina Wright and Daniel Han, Composer/Sound designer Jacques Soddell and brings in voice specialist Susan Bamford Caleo.
Residency at Footscray Arts Centre
Image: Performer Davina Wright
Chi Vu and I have been given a 2 year Company in Residence at FCAC (continuing the successful collaboration on The Dead Twin). As part of this residency we are working on a new performance work, Mermaid Terrorist, which will premiere there in 2017. I will direct this work which is being written by Chi and sound composition by Jacques Soddell. This work is very physical and visual and is loosely based on The Little Mermaid.
As well as working on this new piece, I have a new solo work that I will develop both at FCAC and in residencies in Poland and Croatia in October and November this year.
As well as working on this new piece, I have a new solo work that I will develop both at FCAC and in residencies in Poland and Croatia in October and November this year.
The Procrastination Project
Image: Leo Dale
I have sporadically been working during the year (even in New York!) with performance maker Kate Hunter on this new work The Procrastination Project.
We will show some bits and pieces that we have developed as part of La Mama's Exploration season.
Explorations is a forum for creative investigation where productions are given three nights in the space to explore their practice.
An eerily timeless landscape is the setting for this visceral re-imagining of the ghostly purgatorial world of Hamlet. Two women are caught in a bizarre holding pattern, hamstrung by incessant rituals ... waiting ... waiting...
HERE are a few images from the Exploration Season
Directors Lab - Melbourne
I was very happy to have been selected to participate in the inaugural Directors Lab in Melbourne - run by Theatre Works as part of the Melbourne Festival. Forty participants from around Australia and a few internationals took part in nine days of workshops, forums, discussions, and watching shows. An incredible bunch of strong minded and talented artists.
I was lucky to have been chosen to work on a new performance idea for which there were 10 directors in the room with me plus 3 performers. I worked on the Medea that I had developed with my La Trobe University students, but brought in the performers Daniel Han and Davina Wright (who I worked with on The Dead Twin) and cellist Adi Sappir. It proved to be the most amazingly fruitful time - and now I am OBSESSED with making into a full performance for presentation soon.... Stay tuned.
I was lucky to have been chosen to work on a new performance idea for which there were 10 directors in the room with me plus 3 performers. I worked on the Medea that I had developed with my La Trobe University students, but brought in the performers Daniel Han and Davina Wright (who I worked with on The Dead Twin) and cellist Adi Sappir. It proved to be the most amazingly fruitful time - and now I am OBSESSED with making into a full performance for presentation soon.... Stay tuned.
KaBooM: Stories From Distant Frontlines at Alice Desert Festival
KaBooM was performed at the amazing Alice Springs Aviation Museum as as the closing night 'event' Alice Desert Festival. The plane hangar was transformed thanks to an amazing festival team, including Stuart Liddell who was AV/sound/and more. The whole space was used as audience were led around, encountering stories of war and refugees. Aboriginal Arrernte woman, Sylvia Purrurle Neale played a central role, witnessing the stories and then welcoming these refugees to her country.
Planes became the architecture for the pieces - the room of plastic (Majid) used the wing and body of the plane as 2 of its walls and the video was embedded inside the window of the plane; Ivor was projected actually inside a plane; and more....
Here are some images. And read more HERE
LINK TO NEW TRAILER HERE (Watch on youtube)
Photo credit: Oliver Eclipse and Richard Moore
Planes became the architecture for the pieces - the room of plastic (Majid) used the wing and body of the plane as 2 of its walls and the video was embedded inside the window of the plane; Ivor was projected actually inside a plane; and more....
Here are some images. And read more HERE
LINK TO NEW TRAILER HERE (Watch on youtube)
Photo credit: Oliver Eclipse and Richard Moore
The Dead Twin by Chi Vu - Season at FCAC in Collaboration with Theatre Works FLIGHT Festival of New Writing
I have just finished the premier season of Chi Vu's ' The Dead Twin' - which I directed and performed in! I created a very visual and physical promenade performance piece that worked well with Chi's script that uses the horror genre to explore loss and trauma.
We received such fantastic reviews and the buzz about the show was so great that we sold out! Now we are hoping to tour the work.......
Meanwhile here are a few images - all taken by Jave Lee
We received such fantastic reviews and the buzz about the show was so great that we sold out! Now we are hoping to tour the work.......
Meanwhile here are a few images - all taken by Jave Lee
KaBooM: Stories From Distant Frontlines at the Alice Desert Festival
I recently spent 10 days in Alice Springs working with artists to develop a local story to include in the show. KaBooM: Stories From Distant Frontlines is part of the 2015 Alice Desert Festival. This development/rehearsal was hosted by Red Hot Arts - where I worked with a fantastic team of artists - and is part of their incubator program. These were: Sylvia Neal, Katelnd Griffin, Kaye Pedersen and Karine Tremblay. I am very exited by the piece we created and look forward presenting it within KaBooM:Stories From Distant Frontlines as the closing night event at the festival on the 6th September.
Here is a review from Time Out from last year where the show was performed at Melbourne's fortyfivedownstairs:
TIME OUT MELBOURNE REVIEW
Plus a few images from Alice Springs:
Here is a review from Time Out from last year where the show was performed at Melbourne's fortyfivedownstairs:
TIME OUT MELBOURNE REVIEW
Plus a few images from Alice Springs:
In Persistence of Memory: A new project in development with Kinesis Project in New York
In June I am heading to New York to do a first stage development on a new promenade public art installation/site-specific performance work: "In Persistence of Memory". The piece was conceived by New York choreographer Melissa Riker (Kinesis Project) and was originally commissioned by Adelphi University for their Ephemeral Festival. It is now developing into an international collaboration between Melissa and myself. Melissa and I will work together in her studio after which we will bring in dancers from her Kinesis Project Company. From the Australian side, I will bring in my collaborator and Tashmadada associate artist, Kate Hunter who happens to be in New York at this time! There will be a showing of this first stage at Riverside Park, NY, NY on Friday 19th June.
Here are some images from the showing of Stage One. Thanks to New York City Department of Parks & Recreation
IPOM is a collaboration between Melissa Riker and Deborah Wayne Leiser-Moore
Performers: Zachary Denison, Katie Brennan, Callie Ritter, Michelle Amara Micca, Lonnie Stanton, Kate Hunter, Melissa Riker, Deborah Leiser-Moore
Here are some images from the showing of Stage One. Thanks to New York City Department of Parks & Recreation
IPOM is a collaboration between Melissa Riker and Deborah Wayne Leiser-Moore
Performers: Zachary Denison, Katie Brennan, Callie Ritter, Michelle Amara Micca, Lonnie Stanton, Kate Hunter, Melissa Riker, Deborah Leiser-Moore
Medea Magnified
I have recently been working with the La Trobe University Theatre Performance students on a highly visual, physical and visceral promenade version of Medea called "Medea Magnified". The audience response to the performances was very strong and we hope to remount the work soon. Here are some photos and our trailer...
More soon.....
More soon.....
The Dead Twin as part of Theatre Works program - Collaboration with FCAC
"The Dead Twin" by Chi Vu and directed by me has been included in Theatre Works 2015 program. This is a collaboration with FCAC and VCA. This is an exciting development for this site specific promenade work which is a very visual exploration and re-imagining of the horror genre as an immersive, cyclical, site-specific performance.
Full cast will be announced soon.
The details for the performance are:
Dates: 13 Aug 2015 - 22 Aug 2015
Presented by: Footscray Community Arts Centre and Theatre Works in partnership with the VCA.
This work is presented in and around Footscray Community Arts Centre and tickets will be available through FCAC. TICKETS AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE FROM JUNE 2015.
If you'd like more information about this project or want to find out how to support us, click here.
Full cast will be announced soon.
The details for the performance are:
Dates: 13 Aug 2015 - 22 Aug 2015
Presented by: Footscray Community Arts Centre and Theatre Works in partnership with the VCA.
This work is presented in and around Footscray Community Arts Centre and tickets will be available through FCAC. TICKETS AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE FROM JUNE 2015.
If you'd like more information about this project or want to find out how to support us, click here.
Australian Jewish News Article
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A great one page spread in the Australian Jewish News about the experience of living and working in New York with Richard Schechner.. |
Real Time Australia Article: "Immersed in the Art of Richard Schechner"
Here is a link to an article I wrote for Real Time Australia about my experience in
Richard Schechner's "Imagining O"
REAL TIME 124
Core creative team:
Co-director: Benjamin Mosse
Movement Director: Roanna Mitchell
Environments: Chris Muller
Costumes: Oana Botez
Films and Photographs: Matt Bockelman
Additional Films by Jake Juba
Richard Schechner's "Imagining O"
REAL TIME 124
Core creative team:
Co-director: Benjamin Mosse
Movement Director: Roanna Mitchell
Environments: Chris Muller
Costumes: Oana Botez
Films and Photographs: Matt Bockelman
Additional Films by Jake Juba
The Dead Twin - Creative Development t FCAC
I spent 3 weeks working on a development of The Dead Twin by Chi Vu at FCAC. It was a second 'visit' to this work which had a 'moved reading' in November 2013 at VCA. As a result, we were lucky to have received an Australia Council grant to take it to this next step in development.
My interest was to to animate the piece into a promenade performance work using the Yarra River, the grounds at FCAC and the atmosphere of Henderson House as our performance areas. I also used the time to extend the work into a highly visual and physical piece.
A the end of the process we had 2 development showings which sparked interest in future presentation of the full work...
Here are a few images from the showing.
My interest was to to animate the piece into a promenade performance work using the Yarra River, the grounds at FCAC and the atmosphere of Henderson House as our performance areas. I also used the time to extend the work into a highly visual and physical piece.
A the end of the process we had 2 development showings which sparked interest in future presentation of the full work...
Here are a few images from the showing.
"Eleanor and Mary Alice" at Heide Art Gallery
Back from New York and straight into directing Peta Tait's play for Heide Gallery.
I am lucky to be working with three wonderful performers: Glenda Lindscott, Petra Kalive and cellist Adi Sappir.
Eleanor and Mary Alice is about personal meetings between Eleanor Roosevelt and Mary Alice Evatt. The lives of these two influential women are framed by politics, war, refugees, modernist art and especially Moya Dyring’s painting.
Here is the link to the PERFORMANCES
I am lucky to be working with three wonderful performers: Glenda Lindscott, Petra Kalive and cellist Adi Sappir.
Eleanor and Mary Alice is about personal meetings between Eleanor Roosevelt and Mary Alice Evatt. The lives of these two influential women are framed by politics, war, refugees, modernist art and especially Moya Dyring’s painting.
Here is the link to the PERFORMANCES
'Imagining O' in New York - Richard Schechner
I have been in New York for the last month and a half rehearsing with Richard Schechner - and co-director Benjamin Mosse and movement director Roanna Mitchell - for the promenade performance work 'Imagining O' as part of Peak Performance Festival (Montclair).
It has been intense and wonderful - with a truly incredible team of performers and productions team.
'Imagining O' opened on the 10th September until 13th September. We received rave reviews!!
Here are a few photos from the process (including one form the NY Times) and some of the reviews.
'Imagining O' is a rewrite, and it is powerful. (NY Times)
'Imagining O' brings up questions as to why characters like O or Ophelia persist and how chillingly power, attraction and tragedy can be linked (NJ.com)
Reviews:
NY Times
NJ.com
North Jersy.com
It has been intense and wonderful - with a truly incredible team of performers and productions team.
'Imagining O' opened on the 10th September until 13th September. We received rave reviews!!
Here are a few photos from the process (including one form the NY Times) and some of the reviews.
'Imagining O' is a rewrite, and it is powerful. (NY Times)
'Imagining O' brings up questions as to why characters like O or Ophelia persist and how chillingly power, attraction and tragedy can be linked (NJ.com)
Reviews:
NY Times
NJ.com
North Jersy.com
Review of Cordelia, Mein Kind at La Mama Theatre
The season at La Mama Theatre - as part of their Celebration of Women Festival - has taken off.
First review is in describing the work as "unique and powerful and totally worth catching" and Meredith Roger's directions as "perceptive and actute"
Read the whole review HERE.
And another HERE
Plus here are a few images by the very talented photographer, Matto Lucas
First review is in describing the work as "unique and powerful and totally worth catching" and Meredith Roger's directions as "perceptive and actute"
Read the whole review HERE.
And another HERE
Plus here are a few images by the very talented photographer, Matto Lucas
Cordelia, Mein Kind at La Mama Theatre
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I am happy to be returning to La Mama Theatre after 12 years with my solo performance Cordelia, Mein Kind. The work has toured to the Festiwal Szekspirowski (Poland), Marsh Theater (San Francisco), Theater J (Washington DC) and Brisbane Festival. It finally hits Melbourne as part of La Mama’s Celebrating Women Festival 2014.
Cordelia, Mein Kind is a highly personal and intimate performance work based around the figure of King Lear’s youngest daughter, Cordelia, and my own family history as the daughter of a Holocaust survivor. It is a bold response to a historical legacy that has haunted me for years and to a past that was never spoken about. By intertwining elements from Shakespeare’s King Lear, my own father’s story - he was a Yiddish-speaking Holocaust survivor living in ‘exile’ in Melbourne – and the 1934 film of the Yiddish King Lear (which has a happy ending!!!), I, together with celebrated director, Meredith Rogers and choreographer Sally Smith, have created a deep reflection on one of the most tragic female figures to ever inhabit the stage. Past reviews of Coredlia, Mein Kind: “Deborah Leiser-Moore resurrects the tragic gray eminence to moving effect” - San Francisco Chronicle “Deeply textured, multilayered and savagely poetic work” - Real Time Magazine “Harrowing, soulful, intelligent. Leiser-Moore continues to be lauded the globe over” - The Advisor, Phnom Penh |
Grant Success!
I am very excited that I have been given an Australia Council grant to take up an invitation to perform in New York with the master of avant grade theatre - Richard Schechner. The piece is 'Imagining O" - a promenade performance work which will be open the Peak Performance Festival in September.
As well as this, we received an Australia Council creative development grant to further develop Chi Vu's "The Dead Twin" (November 2014). See below... It also will be a promenade piece in and around the Footscray Community Arts Centre. Big thanks also to FCAC for their support.
As well as this, we received an Australia Council creative development grant to further develop Chi Vu's "The Dead Twin" (November 2014). See below... It also will be a promenade piece in and around the Footscray Community Arts Centre. Big thanks also to FCAC for their support.
More about KaBooM: Stories From Distant Frontlines
KaBooM: Stories From Distant Frontlines has finished its season at fortyfivedownstairs. The response was very strong and the work received 4 star review in Time Out Melbourne.
Audiences have responded using words such as "beautiful, powerful and full of intelligence and heart" (Remi Messenger); "unexpected - just like war" (Danny Ginges); the show was so strong and demanding - you and the technical team raised to the expectations of it" (Majid Shokor); "Incredibly powerful piece - you have such an amazing presence" (Jane Montgomery Griffiths; "a very powerful evening in the theatre" (Petra Kalive).
We are working now to remount and tour the work - nationally and internationally. Look out for a possible 2015 season at fortyfivedownstairs.
Below are a few images and you can read more on the KaBooM:Stories From Distant Frontlines page ... which also has links to articles and reviews.
Audiences have responded using words such as "beautiful, powerful and full of intelligence and heart" (Remi Messenger); "unexpected - just like war" (Danny Ginges); the show was so strong and demanding - you and the technical team raised to the expectations of it" (Majid Shokor); "Incredibly powerful piece - you have such an amazing presence" (Jane Montgomery Griffiths; "a very powerful evening in the theatre" (Petra Kalive).
We are working now to remount and tour the work - nationally and internationally. Look out for a possible 2015 season at fortyfivedownstairs.
Below are a few images and you can read more on the KaBooM:Stories From Distant Frontlines page ... which also has links to articles and reviews.
KaBooM: Stories From Distant Frontlines
KaBooM: Stories From Distant Frontlines opens at fortyfivedownstairs on the 10th April.
Rehearsals are in full swing for this performance event that has a terrific team working on it.
Directors are Susie Dee, Gail Kelly, Younes Bachir, Lech Mackiewcz, Bagryana Popov, Adriano Cortese and Regina Heilmann.
The space at fortyfivedownstairs will be transformed for this site specific promenade installation/performance work that used the many languages of contemporary performance to tell the stories of ex-soldiers.
Dates: Thursday 10th - Sunday 13th April
Time: Thursday - Saturday 7.30pm
Sunday 5pm
There is limited capacity so best to book so you don't miss out.
CLICK HERE TO BOOK
Here is a great piece in the latest Real Time:
REAL TIME PROFILER
Rehearsals are in full swing for this performance event that has a terrific team working on it.
Directors are Susie Dee, Gail Kelly, Younes Bachir, Lech Mackiewcz, Bagryana Popov, Adriano Cortese and Regina Heilmann.
The space at fortyfivedownstairs will be transformed for this site specific promenade installation/performance work that used the many languages of contemporary performance to tell the stories of ex-soldiers.
Dates: Thursday 10th - Sunday 13th April
Time: Thursday - Saturday 7.30pm
Sunday 5pm
There is limited capacity so best to book so you don't miss out.
CLICK HERE TO BOOK
Here is a great piece in the latest Real Time:
REAL TIME PROFILER
A Few Things Before 2013 Finished
It was a busy last couple of months for 2013. As well as continuing work on my major new work Kaboom: Stories From Distant Frontlines, I also fitted in directing a 'moved reading' of Chi Vu's The Dead Twin at the Victorian College of the Arts and rehearsed with Regina Heilmann on our new work, Apres Savage. We performed a 20 minute version at Carraigeworks in Sydney for the Performance Space's 30th Anniversary program.
Below are a few photos .
Below are a few photos .
The Dead Twin
Apres Savage:
Apres Savage - 30 Ways With Time and Space, Performance Space, Sydney
Apres Savage is part of the program for the 30th Anniversary of the Performance Space, Sydney. Regina Heilmann and I will be performing this new work as a work-in-development on Saturday 30th November at 8pm. It runs, at the moment, for about 30 minutes.
Here is a link to the full PROGRAM
Here is a link to the full PROGRAM
Provocateur at Metro Arts, Brisbane
I have been invited to be official 'Provocateur' at METRO ARTS in Brisbane - a title I love! I'll be sitting in on the development processes of all the Metro Arts resident artists to question and provoke them. On Friday night the practitioners will show there work-in-progress and Saturday morning will be a feedback session.
Artist Talk in Romeet Gallery - Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Romeet Contemporary Art Space in Phnom Penh has invited me to give an artist talk. The talk will feature a narrated presentation of images and video from my body of work and followed by an intimate Q & A session.
August 8th 2013 at 6.30pm
Street 178, Phnom Pen, Phnum Penh, Cambodia 20000
August 8th 2013 at 6.30pm
Street 178, Phnom Pen, Phnum Penh, Cambodia 20000
Images from the Artist Talk
Cordelia, Mein Kind at Teatr W Oknie as part of the Festiwal Szekspirowski in Gadnsk
Cordelia, Mein Kind opens tonight at Teatr W Oknie in Gdansk, Poland
It has been a great few days bumping in. Thanks to Tomek and Kasia ... The piece looks very beautiful in the the theatre - an intimate space that creates a direct and personal flavour to the work. Here are a few photos...
Update: Response to the work was incredibly positive... thank you Kasia, Tomek and Piotr at Teatre W Oknie
It has been a great few days bumping in. Thanks to Tomek and Kasia ... The piece looks very beautiful in the the theatre - an intimate space that creates a direct and personal flavour to the work. Here are a few photos...
Update: Response to the work was incredibly positive... thank you Kasia, Tomek and Piotr at Teatre W Oknie
KaBooM at Undone
On May 11th, excerpts from the KaBoom development were presented at Undone at Arts House. On this day all the Culturelab artists presented sections of either their works-in-progress, open rehearsals or talked about their projects.
Here is a link to Undone on the ARTS HOUSE WEBSITE
Also a link to an article that was published in THE AGE NEWSPAPER
Here is a link to Undone on the ARTS HOUSE WEBSITE
Also a link to an article that was published in THE AGE NEWSPAPER
Some Photos from the Development Showing - 14/04/13
A Few KaBooM Development Photos
KaBooM development started
We have spent the first week in the Meat Market experimenting and working out where the different pieces will be placed/performed in the space. Being in there brings up so may possibilities and extends on the work we have already done. The Meat Market is resonant with its history - the ghosts of its slaughterhouse past. Very appropriate for a work that deals with cultural memory and war - and what remnants of our past remains within us.
And practically, we have been working hard. Derek Ives and Baxter have been busy rigging and building some weird and wonderful things. Gail has been sussing out the whole picture - including talking with lighting designer. And today I worked with Bagryana Popov on her piece...
Still have two big weeks to go.... and Younes Bachir arrives Monday night from Barcelona. Feeling very exciting.
It's a really great team.
And practically, we have been working hard. Derek Ives and Baxter have been busy rigging and building some weird and wonderful things. Gail has been sussing out the whole picture - including talking with lighting designer. And today I worked with Bagryana Popov on her piece...
Still have two big weeks to go.... and Younes Bachir arrives Monday night from Barcelona. Feeling very exciting.
It's a really great team.
Thanks to all the support
The Pozible campaign has finished and we are happy to say that we were successful..
A BIG THANK YOU to all of you for helping this project in its development stage. It is very special to know that there are such amazing supporters of the Arts - both within and outside the community. It is a big one and we are now excited to be preparing for the Culturelab development at the Meat Market from 26th March - 15th April - all possible thanks to you!
So - big thanks and we will keep you posted...
A BIG THANK YOU to all of you for helping this project in its development stage. It is very special to know that there are such amazing supporters of the Arts - both within and outside the community. It is a big one and we are now excited to be preparing for the Culturelab development at the Meat Market from 26th March - 15th April - all possible thanks to you!
So - big thanks and we will keep you posted...
Bundanon
KaBooM was given a residency at the incredibly beautiful bush artist residency, Bundanon (thanks Arthur Boyd!)
Read about it here:
http://www.bundanon.com.au/content/deborah-leiser-moore
Read about it here:
http://www.bundanon.com.au/content/deborah-leiser-moore
In conversation with Anthony Hegarty (Anthony and the Johnstons)
I was in conversation with the wonderful and talented Anthony Hegarty after the screening of 'Turning' - the film he made with Charles Atlas - as part of the Melbourne International Arts Festival inaugural film program
It was a very special talk to a packed full house - about life, art, other worlds and Kazuo Ohno.
It was a very special talk to a packed full house - about life, art, other worlds and Kazuo Ohno.
Apres Savage
As well as continuing developing the big new immersive performance work, I have also started working with Regina Heilmann. We made a work together a number of years ago called 'a room with no air'. We are now interested in re-engaging and exploring what it is to work together again after neatly 14 years!
APRES SAVAGE, delves back into the thematic territory of 'a room with no air', but asks: in this new century of the 2000’s, What Has Changed?
Using the languages of contemporary performance Apres Savage challenges us to re-engage with each other to explore and pose many questions that speak to this question and to contemporary audiences. The work will connect with the palpable political tensions that have surfaced in Australia - and no doubt throughout the world.
APRES SAVAGE, delves back into the thematic territory of 'a room with no air', but asks: in this new century of the 2000’s, What Has Changed?
Using the languages of contemporary performance Apres Savage challenges us to re-engage with each other to explore and pose many questions that speak to this question and to contemporary audiences. The work will connect with the palpable political tensions that have surfaced in Australia - and no doubt throughout the world.
Melbourne Writers Festival - Meant To Be Spoken
I will be reading/performing excerpts from my past performance pieces as part of the Melbourne Writers Festival 2012 - Meant To Be Spoken - hosted by Robert Reid and presented by Tashmadada,
7pm at Federation Square - Yarra Building.
7pm at Federation Square - Yarra Building.
KaBooM - more development at Melbourne's Meat Market
This week - working at the Meat Market with the wonderful Polish director Lech Mackiewicz on my new work, 'KaBooM'. Lech has worked in theatre, film and TV both in Poland and in Australia. His has created a haunting installation film section for the work.
Next week, I will be working with director Gail Kelly, also at the Meat Market. Gail is sure to be working energetically and in the aerial space.....
Next week, I will be working with director Gail Kelly, also at the Meat Market. Gail is sure to be working energetically and in the aerial space.....
Development for new work - KaBooM
This week - working with Spanish director/performance maker Younes Bachir in a first stage 'on the floor' development of my new major performance work.
Director Gail Kelly (who is the overall director of the piece) and aerial director Kathryn Niesche will also be working on the project this week.
The development will take place at Newport's Substation studio.
In August there will be two more weeks of the development process at the Meat Market working with Polish director
Lech Mackiewicz.
Meanwhile, I am filming interviews that will also inform the work.
A BIG thanks to NICA who generously lent a lot of aerial equipment for the week... couldn't have done it without this!
Green Room Panel
In 2011 I was invited to join the Green Room Awards AHP (Alternative Hybrid Panel) and in 2012 I am Chair of the panel.
GREEN ROOM AHP
GREEN ROOM AHP
Great Article in the San Francisco Chronicle
CLICK HERE TO READ
Exciting to be given a full page in the San Francisco Chronicle!
Cordelia, Mein Kind @ The Marsh Theatre Berkeley
Exciting news: Cordelia, Mein Kind will be presented at the Marsh Theatre in Berkeley San Francisco from the 2nd - 5th February 2012.
Only 4 performances!
CLICK HERE for more details and booking etc:
More information about the show HERE
Only 4 performances!
CLICK HERE for more details and booking etc:
More information about the show HERE
Melbourne Writers Festival
I recently had two sessions at the Melbourne Writers Festival 2011. The first was an 'In Conversation' with playwright Daniel Keene. The other was hosting, as Artistic Director of Tashmadada, the Meant To Be Spoken session - playwrights reading their own work.
http://www.mwf.com.au/2011/?name=event-info&event=171
http://www.mwf.com.au/2011/?name=event-info&event=204
http://www.mwf.com.au/2011/?name=event-info&event=171
http://www.mwf.com.au/2011/?name=event-info&event=204
Andante at Darwin Festival
Andante at Darwin Festival - Director Younes Bachir (ex actor and collaborator with La Fura dels Baus)
Acclaimed Spanish performance maker Younes Bachir (ex-La Fura del Baus) works with a disciplined troupe of performers in a rare masterclass opportunity. The artists will be introduced to the provocative performance style and process of 'Andante' culminating in two presentations in a warehouse space at the Showgrounds as part of Darwin Festival.
Presented by Tashmadada in collaboration with Corrugated Iron Theatre
Acclaimed Spanish performance maker Younes Bachir (ex-La Fura del Baus) works with a disciplined troupe of performers in a rare masterclass opportunity. The artists will be introduced to the provocative performance style and process of 'Andante' culminating in two presentations in a warehouse space at the Showgrounds as part of Darwin Festival.
Presented by Tashmadada in collaboration with Corrugated Iron Theatre
Inoperable Tucker Turtle - Creative Development
* working on creative development of Todd MacDonald's solo show 'Inoperable tucker Turtle' at Meat Market.
Other collaborators include Bagryana Popov and Luke Pither.
Thank G-d at the Malthouse Theatre
* Thank G-d
performance at the Malthouse Theatre's 'Things on Sunday': Matzoh Balls
When: June 26th 2pm
More information:
Malthouse Theatre
According to Jewish law a woman's right to sex is one of a wife's three basic rights (along with food and clothing!). This performance explores the Talmudic injunctions on the quantity and quality of sex that a man must deliver.
Performed and Created by Deborah Leiser-Moore
Directed by Richard Moore
performance at the Malthouse Theatre's 'Things on Sunday': Matzoh Balls
When: June 26th 2pm
More information:
Malthouse Theatre
According to Jewish law a woman's right to sex is one of a wife's three basic rights (along with food and clothing!). This performance explores the Talmudic injunctions on the quantity and quality of sex that a man must deliver.
Performed and Created by Deborah Leiser-Moore
Directed by Richard Moore
Cultural Leadership Grant
* Deborah is recipient of Australia Council's new Cultural Leadership Grant: Skills development.
Read Lyn Wallis's (Director of Australia Council Theatre Board) article about Cultural Leadership in the Theatre: Click Here
Read Lyn Wallis's (Director of Australia Council Theatre Board) article about Cultural Leadership in the Theatre: Click Here