Polyglot’s December e-news

A tremendous year

As 2022 draws to a close, the team at Polyglot is reflecting on an ambitious year of renewed activity and re-connection. It has been a privilege to consistently engage with our audiences in-person again, and wonderful to see the learnings of 2020 and 2021 come to life in our work, particularly around access and equity. There have been many important moments for the company this year – here are just a handful.

January
Bees testing sessions at Abbotsford Convent; the first Catalyst Day (artistic planning and professional development) for the year with our Generator artists.

February
When the World Turns design intensive and creative development at ArtPlay; we launch our new accessible website, created by Freerange Future.

March
Paper Planet is presented at ArtPlay for Moomba Festival, reaching over 720 people, and Boats sets sail at Wyndham City Children’s Week Picnic (re-scheduled from 2021), reaching over 770 people.

April
Bees premieres at Abbotsford Convent, reaching nearly 850 people; Ants (delivered by Inlet Dance Theatre) is presented by La Jolla Playhouse at Without Walls Festival, San Diego; Totems creative development continues in Kempsey (NSW); we return to Rumbalara Football Netball Club in Shepparton.

May
When the World Turns creative development continues at Coburg Special Development School; Polyglot Theatre x Rawcus creative exchange.

June
Sound Shadows premieres at Cardinia Cultural Centre, reaching over 700 people; Polyglot x Western Edge Youth Arts creative exchange; Paper Planet tours to a fifth special development school for 2022, supported by the Department of Education & Training Positive Start initiative.

July
Bees premieres in the USA, reaching nearly 700 people in Des Moines and Cleveland; Pram People creative development takes place at The Venny; Sue Giles AM announces she will step down as Polyglot’s Artistic Director in December, after 22 years leading the company.

August
When the World Turns creative development continues at Glenroy Specialist School and ArtPlay, and we return to Coburg Special Development School; We Built This City tours to BLEACH* Festival (Gold Coast), reaching over 450 people; our final 2022 home game session at Rumbalara Football Netball Club.

September
When the World Turns premieres at Arts Centre Melbourne for Alter State, a major arts and disability festival, reaching nearly 250 people.
 
October
Pram People premieres at Melbourne Museum for Melbourne Fringe, reaching over 1400 people and winning the ‘Best Participatory Work for Families’ Melbourne Fringe Award; Cat Sewell is announced as Polyglot’s next Artistic Director and co-CEO.
 
November
In-person creative development in Singapore for our ongoing collaboration with Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay; Family Forts creative development continues in City of Casey early learning centres; Voice Lab Online speaks to children in the Carers WA community.
 
December
Paper Planet tours to its ninth special development school for 2022, this time supported by the Department of Education & Training Strategic Partnerships Program.

What’s On

We are very excited for what 2023 holds for Polyglot. January will be a whirlwind of holiday activity, as we share our creative fun with families across Melbourne.

Tangle at Bunjil Place
17-20 January
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Sound of Drawing at State Library Victoria
19 January
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Feast at MPavilion
21-22 January
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A sparkling schedule of international touring is also beckoning. A mainstay of our annual program pre-COVID, this is a most welcome return, and we are thrilled that in 2023 we’ll be creating and performing in countries including Canada, Hong Kong, Norway, Singapore and the US. Stay tuned for more updates! 

Today is our team’s final day of work for the year, and we’ll be back on Monday 9 January. We hope that you and your loved ones enjoy a safe, restful break, with time for recuperation and reflection. Thank you for sharing our adventures in 2022, and we look forward to more in 2023.