Belvoir 2011 donor report Gareth Davies in And They Called Him Mr Glamour. Dear Friends

It’s hard to believe another year has gone development of Indigenous theatre. The by but 2011 was certainly a big one for purpose of this report is to let you know Belvoir! Ralph’s first season kicked off with what we’ve been doing in each of these the Helpmann Award-winning show The three areas in 2011 and to demonstrate Wild Duck and we haven’t stopped for a that your donations have been put to very moment since. good use! We are really thrilled that our 2011 Thank you again for your generous support Season attracted the highest number this year. It makes all the difference to us. of subscribers in Belvoir’s history and included numerous sell-out shows. However, even with this success at the box office, it is only through the additional support we receive from our sponsors and donors that we are able to facilitate our community programs, support emerging artists and create innovative new Katy Wood works. The donations we receive are Development Manager allocated across the Creative Development Program, the Education Program and the Steve Le Marquand, Susie Porter, Robyn Nevin, Dan Wyllie and Helen Thomson in Summer of the Seventeenth Doll

Creative Development

In 2011 the Creative Development program Neighbourhood Watch gained momentum in a big way. We currently have nine new Australian plays In July of this year we presented under commission. Throughout the year we Neighbourhood Watch by Lally Katz, a play undertook six script development which was developed right from its inception workshops and three readings of new through the Creative Development program. Australian works. Investing in the Neighbourhood Watch proved to be one of development of new work is also starting to the highlights of our 2011 Season, selling out pay significant dividends. Ten out of the 14 at the box office and attracting critical productions we have programmed for the acclaim. Neighbourhood Watch 2012 Season are new Australian works by demonstrated the calibre of work that is both established and emerging playwrights. created when playwrights are given the opportunity to collaborate with our resident artists and to have access to cast members for readings and workshops. The show’s success at the box office also demonstrated the strong appetite amongst audiences for new Australian work.

“…one of the most affecting works of theatre seen so far this year, one that is tender yet hard-edged” Jason Blake, The Sydney Morning Herald

Kris McQuade in Neighbourhood Watch Creative Development

“We started with a brilliant idea, but unformed and chaotic; residing more in the imagination than on a stage. Two years’ worth of development later we had what was undeniably a great play – delicate in its construction, stirring in its tone, and retaining all playfulness and eccentricity of the original conceit. Almost every moment that ended up on stage in the final version was invented during the development period; it was an indispensable time for Lally, the actors and me.” , director, Neighbourhood Watch Jack Charles in Jack Charles Vs The Crown Creative Development of Indigenous Work

When Ralph took over as Artistic Director in Beautiful One Day 2011, he committed to sustaining and building on Belvoir’s history of developing We are particularly excited to be and portraying unique Indigenous stories. At collaborating with leading Indigenous theatre the same time, we were thrilled to announce company Ilbijerri (Jack Charles v The Crown) a partnership with The Balnaves Foundation and version 1.0 (The Bougainville Photoplay who are supporting the presentation of one Project, A Certain Maritime Incident) to Indigenous work in the Upstairs Theatre and develop Beautiful One Day, a work in one in the Downstairs Theatre each year response to the death in custody of from 2011 until 2013. Thanks to the support Cameron Doomadgee on Palm Island. The of The Balnaves Foundation, our 2011 production will be based on official Season featured two unique and important documents from the case, transcripts from Indigenous productions: Jack Charles v The the coronial inquests and video footage. We Crown in the Upstairs Theatre and Windmill will also be working with members of the Baby in the Downstairs Theatre. In order to community of Palm Island and the family of be able to present important Indigenous Cameron Doomadgee to incorporate their works such as these, it is vital that we personal experiences into the work. support emerging Indigenous artists to create them in the first place. Under Ralph’s An extensive creative development process directorship, Belvoir currently has several on Beautiful One Day is already underway. new Indigenous works in development. Rachael Maza from Ilbijerri and Paul Dwyer from version 1.0 have made two initial field trips to Palm Island to meet community members and seek permission to tell the story. Rachael, Paul and our Associate Director – New Projects, Eamon Flack, have also had a number of development days to start devising the structure of the work.

Beautiful One Day will open at Belvoir St Theatre as part of the 2012 Season on 21 November 2012. The presentation of Beautiful One Day will be exclusively supported by The Balnaves Foundation. Roxanne McDonald in Windmill Baby

Education

Belvoir’s Education Program provides a “I think you guys are whole range of opportunities for students and teachers from across NSW to engage really fantastic. Giving our with and access both our productions and students the opportunity our artists. For more information about the program, please visit the Education pages of to see live theatre, our website here. bridging the gap between the demographic of Priority Schools Program those who are not as privileged, has such a We believe the experience of live theatre has a major role to play in students’ learning: profound effect on our broadening their horizons; providing students. They talk about inspiration; and challenging them to consider alternative views of the world. However, for the production months many students attending Priority Schools later. My Year 11 students (classified by the NSW Department of Education & Training as having the majority are still talking about The of students from low socio-economic Seagull.” backgrounds) the opportunity to see Teacher, Condell Park HS, professional theatre is simply out of reach. after students attended The Seagull Through the Priority Schools Program (PSP) Belvoir provides school matinee tickets free of charge to students from Priority Schools. In Term 4 of each school year, information about the next year’s program of plays is sent to all eligible high schools. Schools are invited to apply for tickets to three plays they would like their students to attend. Tickets are allocated as widely as possible, with schools applying to the program for the first time being allocated tickets to at least one performance of their choice. In 2011, 756 students from 26 Priority Schools attended a Belvoir schools performance. Education

2011 5623 students and teachers from 122 schools throughout NSW attended a schools performance 3086 students and their teachers attended an evening performance of one of our shows in the Upstairs or Downstairs theatre 24 regional schools sent students to see a show 358 students went on a free guided tour of the theatre 315 students watched an archival recording 14 students completed work experience* 16 students completed a work placement

*Our work experience program gives Year 10 students the opportunity to see our artistic and administrative operations first-hand. Work placements are Students from Coonabarabran offered to Year 11 and 12 students who are completing a VET (Vocational High School on the set after a Education and Training) Certificate in Entertainment Industry. They spend a schools performance of week working with our Production Department during busy rehearsal periods. Summer of the Seventeenth Doll Gareth Davies and Maeve Dermody in The Seagull Regional Workshops Youth Express

Program In 2011 we worked with Youth Off the Streets’ Key College, Marist Youth Care, Belvoir’s Regional Workshops Program the Exodus Foundation and Twenty10 exposes regional students and teachers to offer 55 young people the chance to to practising theatre artists and specific participate in our Youth Express program. industry expertise, in the areas of theatre Youth Express uses drama to engage some design and performance. We offer of the most disadvantaged young people in workshops for both students and teachers our community through a process that aims in aspects of design including set, costume, to develop their communication skills, self- and lighting, also in playwriting and aspects esteem and social awareness. The young of performance including monologue people participate in a series of practical performance and group devising. These weekly drama workshops conducted over workshops empower regional students by six months. broadening their idea of what is possible at school and beyond. Teachers particularly Participants also work on devising short value the chance to establish regional scenes for presentation, based on a theme teaching networks and to receive current of their choosing. This provides the young industry-based professional development people with a forum to explore, express and opportunities. reflect on their own experiences and see the possibility for change. “Isolated students need as Performances were held in June and much exposure as possible November in our Downstairs Theatre exploring themes such as breaking patterns to professional performance of violence; how a victim of bullying can and workshops. MORE!!!” become the perpetrator; learning not to fight the people who are trying to help and the Teacher, Jindabyne Central School, power of our imaginations to provide a safe after students participated in a place in which to grow strong and prepare to Monologue Performance workshop take on the world. After performing In the Blood in the Downstairs Theatre in June, one of the participants from Key College wrote: “…I could not remember a thing about the actual play because it went like a blur. But we received a massive applause at the end. We got out mingling with the crowd and they A big thank you to the other swarmed us wanting photos and to talk to supporters of the Belvoir us it was insane. At the end I was so glad Education Program in 2011: and relieve that it was over and I am also Freehills, Coca-Cola proud of having actually done it.” Foundation, Enid Irwin Charitable Trust managed by Perpetual, Gandevia Foundation, The Greatorex Foundation, Teen Spirit Charitable Foundation managed by Perpetual, Vincent Fairfax Family Foundation Emily Barclay and Bille Brown in The Seagull “I think this play is saying that our world is beautiful, yet it has complications and sometimes you don’t get what you want. Life is short, make the most of it, if you want something to happen, make it happen!” Student, Roseville College, after attending The Seagull Eloise Mignon, Bob the Duck and Anthony Phelan in The Wild Duck Our Development team is always happy to hear from you. If you have any questions or would like further information, please contact:

Katy Wood Development Manager P 02 8396 6224 E [email protected] or Pearl Kermani Philanthropy Coordinator P 02 8396 6219 E [email protected] Design Alphabet Studio Cover photo Patrick Boland Production and rehearsal photos Heidrun Löhr and Brett Boardman Education photos Cathy Hunt