Polyglot’s June e-news

Cycles and seasons

Recently, Artistic Director Cat Sewell led the Polyglot staff team in a reflective activity about cycles and seasons. What they mean for us as an organisation and personally. It was a rare moment carved from our collectively busy calendar to draw and dream together. 30 June is a full stop for the financial year, but for Polyglot it’s also a centre point in a year of extraordinary evolution. Amongst a full touring and delivery program, we’ve welcomed a new Artistic Director, bringing a new co-CEO dynamic and new creative relationships with our Generator artists. We’re doing what we do best – creating and playing with children and families everywhere – while nurturing Polyglot’s future. In Cat’s words, “There is so much to look forward to!”

As 30 June approaches, please join our season of evolution with a tax-deductible donation of any size. Your gift supports Polyglot to create our innovative, daring theatre and share it with children everywhere, providing them the opportunity for imagination and adventure through participation.

Sparking ideas

Kath Fyffe, our Executive Director, recently returned from a trip to the US and Canada. Her first stop was TYA USA, a national conference in Tempe, Arizona, connecting with presenters, venues, and other companies creating theatre for young audiences. She wrote, “It was wonderful to spend today speaking to people at the conference who share our commitment to the impact creative experiences can have in children’s lives. There is such power in moments of connection and free expression, and I heard from many colleagues how loved and respected Polyglot’s methodology is here. I’m looking forward to learning more about how others are working in this space and bringing lots of ideas back to our work, especially in the areas of inclusive and accessible work for children.”

This week and next, Kath, Cat, and Producer Julie Wright, are attending the Australian Performing Arts Market (APAM), which is taking place alongside RISING in Melbourne. We’re excited to gather with national and international colleagues, and looking forward to the conversations, ideas and opportunities that will be sparked.

Acknowledging access

On 29 May, Polyglot was honoured to attend the 40^th Green Room Awards at The Capitol. When the World Turns, our collaboration with Oily Cart (UK), was nominated for ‘Contemporary & Experimental Performance – Work for Children and Young Families’. While we didn’t win, we were thrilled for the creative team behind An Uncertain Time, who received the award. When the World Turns was commissioned by Arts Centre Melbourne for Alter State, a major arts and disability festival, delivered in partnership with Arts Access Victoria. We were overjoyed that Alter State won ‘Contemporary and Experimental Theatre – Contribution to Sector and Community’. Jodee Mundy OAM, recently appointed as Creative Producer – Access & Inclusion at Arts Centre Melbourne, wrote about the evening. Read it here.

Steph O’Hara, one of our Generator artists and a sound designer, worked on When the World Turns. Arts Centre Melbourne shared his story as part of their new Together Experiences series. Watch it here.

A wonderful reminder

Cycles and seasons are intrinsically linked with the weather. Many of Polyglot’s works happen outdoors, and at least one of our producers will have a keen eye on the forecast, hoping for blue skies and sunshine.

Polyglot is currently working in partnership with Rom for Dans to deliver Ants (known as Maur) in Norwegian schools for DKS Innlandet. We recently received an exquisite video featuring the performance taking place in snow. We usually see this beloved work on summery green lawns, so it’s a delight watching children in thick coats and beanies joyfully engaging with the Ants and their waterproof crumbs in below zero temperatures. We shared the video with the creative team who travelled to Norway, and one of the Generator artists wrote, “Oh how magical! That was a very special day. So, so cold.”

As Polyglot swings into the second half of 2023, it’s a wonderful reminder that creative play is always in season.