Pin Drop program (2011)

PIN DROP JULY 26 - AUGUST 7 2011

Malthouse Theatre presents

PIN DROP ....

Creator/Performer Tamara Saulwick Composition/Sound Design Peter Knight Movement Michelle Heaven Design & Production Bluebottle – Ben Cobham & Frog Peck Costume Design Harriet Oxley Lighting & Sound Operator Luke Smiles Venue Technician Michele Bauer Voices Alice Meyer, Ania Walwicz, Anni Finsterer, Cyndi Darnell, Jemana Stellato Pledger, Kate Neal, Leanne Jones, Libby, Lisa, Tracy, Yamuna.

Interviewees have been credited by their full name, first name only, or pseudonym, in accordance with their wishes.

Pin Drop premiered at Arts House on 26 August, 2010, and opened in the Beckett Theatre at The Malthouse on 28 July, 2011

BECKETT THEATRE, JULY 26 - AUGUST 7 2011 DISCOVER MORE ONLINE

Follow @MalthouseMelb on Twitter, become a fan on Facebook, check in on Foursquare and visit www.malthousetheatre.com.au for more information about Malthouse Theatre productions

ARTIST’S NOTE

....

This project began in late 2008 as a series of recorded one-on-one interviews. In some instances the conversations were with people I knew, but more often they were with people I knew only a little or not at all, ranging in age from six to 92 years. I talked to them about their own visceral experiences of threat.

I wasn’t so interested in focusing on acts of violence — these are fed to us each night on our TV screens.

Instead, I focused on how the sensation of threat, real or imagined, plays out in the mind and body. And also how these experiences shape our choices in day-today life. What will we do? What won’t we do? What feels too much of a risk?

The conversations were incredibly varied, and full of candour and insight. All participants entered into the process with a spirit of great generosity and it is their thoughts and stories that form the core of this work. Clearly, only a fraction of the hours of recorded material collected has been used, and indeed some interviews remain entirely untouched. However, each one of these encounters has shaped and informed my approach to the making of Pin Drop, and I am indebted to all participants both heard and unheard.

In Pin Drop personal accounts provide anchors against which image and sound can pull. There is space for the audience to bring their own imaginations and memories to bear on the work, and from the spaces between prerecorded voices and live performance, between what is heard and what is seen, between performer and audience, the piece emerges. Pin Drop creates a site

for stories and experiences to be shared, remembered, evoked, and witnessed with the hope that a dialogue, perhaps in the form of more storytelling, may arise.

I would like to thank my artistic collaborators, whose contributions to the making of Pin Drop have been everything I could have hoped for and more.

This performance is dedicated to the memory of Alice Meyer 22.7.1916 – 17.6. 2011.

TAMARA SAULWICK

Image Credit: Phil Greenwood

BLUEBOTTLE DESIGN AND PRODUCTION In 1991 brothers Ben and Geoff Cobham started a design company - and bluebottle was born. As happens, families grow: Geoff set up house in Adelaide whilst Ben met Andrew Livingston at St Martins Youth Arts Centre in Melbourne. Their first production, Jack and the Bean Stalk, was a success, and inevitably led to the formation of the Melbourne arm of bluebottle. Geoff Cobham keeps bluebottle Adelaide afloat, where he resides, and Andrew and Ben co-direct bluebottle Melbourne, aka BB3. Following Jack and the Bean Stalk, Andrew and Ben worked together on numerous projects, actively working to merge design, light and management. In 1994 they met Paul Summers through work undertaken at Danceworks, who joined the team soon after, offering financial management and wisdom. Paul is now the General Manager of bluebottle, managing and overseeing all projects with Ben and Andrew. Like families, bluebottle has grown over the past two decades. Together with their talented and valued staff, bluebottle creates its own design and light-based work, and is fortunate enough to engage with a diverse range of artists, designers and their projects. Bluebottle's work can be seen in theatres, galleries, museums, found architectural spaces and architecture through disciplines such as music, dance, visual art and exhibitions. Bluebottle are interested in working with people from all art forms and workplaces to create outcomes that both challenge and excite.

MICHELLE HEAVEN MOVEMENT Michelle graduated from the Victorian College of the Arts with a Bachelor of Dance and Masters of Dance Performance. She has made extensive contributions as a performer/collaborator and

choreographer to live theatre and film. In addition to making her own work, Michelle has worked nationally and internationally with many Australian companies and directors such as Phillip Adams (BalletLab), Gideon Obarzanek (Chunky Move), Lucy Guerin, Sue Healey, Michael Kantor, Douglas Horton (Chamber Made Opera), Sandra Parker, Tracie Mitchell, Natalie Cursio, Kate Denborough (KAGE), Rebecca Hilton and Leigh Warren.

Michelle is a Victorian Green Room Award recipient. She is also a Helpmann Award nominee for performances with Chunky Move and a Victorian Green Room and Australian Dance Award nominee for her independent work Disagreeable Object. She has choreographed for companies such as Theatre of Speed, Black Hole Theatre and Weave Movement Theatre. She is currently developing a new work titled The Plan.

PETER KNIGHT COMPOSITION/SOUND DESIGN Australian composer/trumpeter/sound artist Peter Knight is a multidisciplinary musician who has gained wide recognition for his eclectic approach, which integrates jazz, world music, and experimental traditions. Peter leads and composes for several ensembles including the internationally acclaimed cross-cultural sextet, Way Out West. He also performs solo, processing the trumpet through various electronic media.

He has composed chamber music, short-film scores and created sound installations most notably with installation artist, Cameron Robbins, and sound art collective, Double Venturi. Peter is the recipient of numerous grants and awards including the 2009 Bell Award for Australian Jazz Ensemble of the Year (with Way Out West), a nomination for the 2008 APRA Awards (Jazz Composition of the Year), the Rolston Music Fellowship from the Banff Centre for the Arts, and the Keith and Elizabeth Murdoch Travelling Fellowship.

HARRIET OXLEY COSTUME DESIGN Harriet completed a BA in Fashion at RMIT and worked in wardrobe for film and television for several years before completing her Grad Dip in Theatre Design at VCA in 2004. She has worked with Victorian Opera (The Bear/Angelique and Snow Queen), Chunky Move (Mix Tape by Stephanie Lake), Jenny Kemp (Madeleine), Dislocate (The Key), Sean Curham (Australian Choreographic Centre Residency 2005), NICA, Red Stitch, and Company x:machine (Senseless and Serial Blogger).

She received a Green Room nomination in 2009 for her design for Company x:machine’s Serial Blogger, and won a Green Room Award in 2011 for Victorian Opera’s The Bear/Angelique (Costume Design). Harriet is currently working on designs for Chunky Move and Ros Warby.

TAMARA SAULWICK CREATOR/PERFORMER Tamara works as an independent actor, director and performance maker. Her diverse training and experience ranges from dance, film and TV, indoor theatre and outdoor performance to large-scale outdoor community events. She has worked with many companies including Not Yet It's Difficult, The Hunting Party, Born in a Taxi, Melbourne Playback Theatre, Melbourne Theatre Company, Strange Fruit, Neil Cameron Productions, and with Justus Neumann in his Vienna based company Theaterverein zum aufgebundenen Baren.

Tamara has toured and performed throughout Australia as well as Germany, Holland, France, Austria, Slovenia, Colombia, New Caledonia and Singapore. Since 2001 Tamara has been developing her own performance works including map folding for beginners (2001), Imprint (2005), and Pin Drop, which was first presented at Arts House in 2010. Tamara most recently performed in The Waiting Room at the World Theatre Festival (Brisbane Powerhouse

2011). Tamara has a Masters degree in Animateuring from the Victorian College of the Arts (2001), a B.Ed in Drama/ Dance/Design from Rusden (1986-1989) and is a graduate of The John Bolton Theatre School (1991). Tamara is currently undertaking a PhD in Performance Studies at Victoria University.

LUKE SMILES OPERATION The introduction of a Commodore 64 computer into the family home in the early 1980s began Luke’s fascination with computers and sound.

Luke’s appreciation of cinema has inspired a diverse sound making practice and led him to work in areas including foley, sound design, sound effects editing and music composition. Luke is renowned for producing detailed soundtracks with a focus on the complete sound experience, a quality that sees his work in great demand both nationally and around the world. Working under his business name motion laboratories Luke has composed and produced soundtracks for many Australian and International artists & companies such as: Australian Dance Theatre, Bare Bones Dance Company (UK), Chunky Move, Dancenorth, Gabrielle Nankivell, Nederlands Dans Theatre (Holland), Ox (Belgium/Slovenia), Rambert Dance Company (UK), Splintergroup, Stompin, Tasdance, West Australian Ballet and Windmill Theatre Company.

Tamara Saulwick would like to thank all those who have loaned their support in one way or another through the various phases of developing and presenting this work: Margaret Trail, Marco CherGibard, Dan West, Gideon Obarzanek, David Pledger, Simon Ellis, Merophie Carr, Brett Adam, Eugene Ughetti, Kate Hunter, Vanessa Chapple, Greg Dyson, Bagryana Popov, Gerald Mair, Gill Savage, Byron Scullin, Santha Press, Alan Robertson, Muppy and Puppy Cobham, Keith and Yve Knight, Moriarty’s Project, bluebottle, Arts House and the staff and crew of Malthouse Theatre.

....

gratefully acknowledges its supporters

PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT PARTNERS MALTHOUSE THEATRE IS SUPPORTED BY THE AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT THROUGH THE AUSTRALIA COUNCIL, ITS ARTS FUNDING AND ADVISORY BODY

MAJOR PARTNER PRODUCTION PARTNER

MEDIA PARTNER

CORPORATE PARTNERS CORPORATE ASSOCIATES

TRUSTS & FOUNDATIONS Annamila Pty Ltd

Artists in Residence Program Education & Youth Access Program

Company in Residence Program Malthouse Regional Performance Projects

Artist Program

Tom Kantor Fund Indigenous Theatre Program

Slome-Topol Family Charitable Trust The Engine Room & Women Directors Internship Program

The Malcom Robertson Foundation

At The Malthouse - 113 Sturt Street Southbank VIC 3006 Box Office +61 3 9685 5111 Administration +61 3 9685 5100 Facsimile +61 3 9685 5112 Email admin@malthousetheatre.com.au Web www.malthousetheatre.com.au BOARD OF DIRECTORS Simon Westcott (Chair), Frankie Airey, John Daley, Michele Levine, Ian McRae, Neil Smart, Thea Snow, Sigrid Thornton, Leonard Vary.

Artistic Director Marion Potts Executive Producer Jo Porter Interim Business Manager Emma Calverley Company Managers Administrator

Nina Bonacci & Julian Hobba Narda Shanley

Associate Artist- Direction Matthew Lutton Associate Artist- Design Paul Jackson Director in Residence Anne-Louise Sarks Finance Manager Mario Agostinoni Finance Assistant Liz White Finance Assistant Connie Stella Philanthropy Manager Tamara Harrison Marketing & Communications Coordinator Nicole Smith Communications Coordinator Jaclyn Birtchnell Media Manager Annette Vieusseux Media Assistant Lucy Forge Ticketing Manager Emma Howard Ticketing Assistant Lauren White Executive Assistant Carla Di Stefano Audience Development Consultant Jason Tamiru Bar Manager Cherry Rivers Front of House Managers Tristan Watson & Sean Ladhams Production Manager David Miller Technical Manager Baird McKenna

Operations Manager Dexter Varley Production Coordinator Lucy Birkinshaw

Campbell Head Electricians Michele Bauer & Stewart Birkinshaw Campbell Head Mechanist Andy Moore Workshop Supervisor David Craig Head of Wardrobe Amanda Carr Wardrobe Assistant Chloe Greaves Steel Fabricator Goffredo Mameli Workshop Staff Dan Talbot Scenic Artist Patrick Jones Props Master Ross Murray (lifetime recognition) Front of House/Bar Staff Matt Adair, Mira Adler-Gillies, Michelle Baginski, Claire Beynon, Rebecca Bower, Jacqui Brown, Ben Carollo, Rowan Michael Davie, Tom Dent, Alice Dixon, Graham Downey, Tanja George, Eden Gery, Kate Golding, Chloe Greaves, Kate Gregory, Simon Jeanes, Gabrielle Lowe, Bridie McCarthy, Anna Nalpantidis, Daniel Newell, Ruby Nolan, Kliment Poposki, Beck Rafferty, Sara Retallick, Claire Richardson, Caleb Shea, Mimosa Schmidt, Kathryn Stuckey, Phoebe Taylor, Jade Thomson, Lee Threadgold, Pete Walker, Janine Watson.

Box Office Staff Liz Bastian, Paul Buckley, Mark Byrne, Sonja Fea, Rachel Dyson-McGregor, Cindy Elliott, Kate Gregory, Michelle Hines, Sean Ladhams, Ross Lutey, Fiona Wiseman, Janine Watson, Liz White.

With special thanks to Michael Kantor, Stephen Armstrong & Catherine Jones.

This program has been printed on 100% recycled paper using soya based inks.

MUSE DONOR PROGRAM

We extend our heartfelt thanks to the following donors: URANIA (Muse of the Stars) The Dara Foundation CLIO (Muse of History) Berry Liberman & Daniel Almagor, John & Lorraine Bates, Michele Levine

THALIA (Muse of Comedy) Daniel & Danielle Besen, Eva Besen AO & Marc Besen AO, Debbie Dadon, Roger Donazzan & Margaret Jackson AC, Neilma Gantner, Colin Golvan SC, Peter and Anne Laver, Richard Leonard, Elisabeth and John Schiller, Philanthropy Squared, Trawalla Foundation, Anonymous (1) MELPOMENE (Muse of Tragedy) Chryssa Anagostou & Jim Tsaltas, Terry Cutler, D.L & G.S Gjergja, Ian Hocking & Rosemary Forbes, Tim & Lynne Sherwood, Simon Westcott & Dr. Ben Keith, Tom Wright, Anonymous (1) EUTERPE (Muse of Music) Ingrid Ashford, Beth Brown & Tom Bruce AM, Ingrid & Per Carlsen, Dominic Dirupo & Natalie Dwyer, Carolyn Floyd, William J Forrest AM, John & Helen Gibbins, Brian Goddard, Scott Herron, Michael Kingston, Dame Elisabeth Murdoch AC DBE, Rae Rothfield, Neil & Barbara Smart, Leonard Vary & Matt Collins, Jason Waple, Phil & Heather Wilson, Angelika & Pete Zangmeister TERPSICHORE (Muse of Dance) Roger Blythman, Sally Browne, Diana Burleigh, David Byrne, Min Li Chong, Sieglind D’Arcy, Rev Fr Michael Elligate, Taleen Gaidzkar, Leonie Hollingworth, Brad Hooper, Graeme & Joan Johnson, Ann Kemeny & Graham Johnson, K & J Lindsay, Pamela McLure, Sir Gustave Nossal AC CBE & Lady Nossal, Robert Peters, Karen Russel, Ernie Schwartz, Jenny Schwarz, Fiona Sweet & Paul Newcombe, Dr. Victor & Dr. Karen Wayne, Anonymous (2) ERATO (Muse of Love) Stephen Alley, Graham & Anita Anderson, Amanda Bede, Sandra Beanham, John Carruthers, Dianne Clark, Patricia Coutts, Mary Crean AM, Doreen Dempster, Paul Gardner, Peggy Hayton, Shirley Hickey, Roberta Holmes, Susan Humphries, Irene Irvine, Tania de Jong, Irene Kearsey, Ruth Krawat, Anna Lozynski, Brad Martin, Robyn & John Morris, Dr. Kersti Nogeste, Linda Notley, David O’Connell & Jarrod Haberfield, Tony Oliver, Irene Purcell, John & Margot Rogers, Maria Sola, Thea & Hadyn Snow, John Thomas, Ann Tonks, Rosemary Walls, Jan Watson, Joanne Whyte, Dr. Roger Woock & Fiona Clyne, Angharad Wynne-Jones, Anonymous (11) To find out more about the Malthouse Theatre Muse program, please contact Philanthropy Manager Tamara Harrison on 03 9685 5162 / tharrison@malthousetheatre.com.au.

Donations of $2 or more are tax deductible.

Malthouse Theatre & KAGE present

LOOK rIGHt tHrOUGH me Conceived and Directed by Kate Denborough Creative Collaborator Michael Leunig

september 7 – 18 BooKinGs malthousetheatre.com.au Or 03 9685 5111