2021 Chair Report
Mudlark Theatre
AGM 15 February 2022
Chair’s report.
2021 was both a challenging and exciting year for Mudlark.
We were fortunate to receive an automatic repeat of our 2020 Arts Tasmania Organisations funding as part of the Tasmanian Government’s COVID response, which provided the company with financial security for the second year in a row.
We were one of the first companies to return to the stage in 2021, with a remake of Stephanie Briarwood’s Caravan Boat Treehouse which toured to Burnie and Launceston. Audiences in Burnie were slow to return to the theatre, which resulted in the cancellation of a show, however the Launceston season was well supported.
We undertook two creative developments in 2021, Girl Running, Boy Falling, by Kate Gordon, adapated for the stage by Kate Gaul, and Summerland by Vicki Madden. The latter creative development was unsuccessful and did not result in a script that was suitable for Mudlark to present. This led to us having to cancel our planned season of the work in October. Following this, the board undertook a review of the creative development process which included interviewing all involved and researching best practice. We subsequently developed a new Creative Development Guidelines document which clearly sets out process and expectations. We hope that this will be an effective tool in helping artists understand how we work and how to work with us in the future.
The funds from the cancelled season were partially redirected to a premiere season of Jingled by Stephanie Briarwood which was presented at Junction Arts Festival in September. The remainder will be redirected to the 2022 annual program.
During the early part of the year, we undertook an extensive strategic planning process, which resulted in a detailed strategic plan and action plan for 2021-2025. This was the backbone for our application to the Arts Tasmania Organisation Multi-Year funding round, from which we were successful in securing single year funding of $200,000 for 2022, a significant increase on the previous two years and placing us among the highest funded theatre companies in the state.
Throughout the remainder of 2021, we continued to work towards the strategic and artistic goals set out in the strategic plan.
We welcomed new board member, Kate Gaul in 2021. Kate was a powerhouse of work, particularly around grant applications. Kate is not re-nominating at this AGM and I wish to sincerely thank her for the dedication, perspective and hard work she put into the company during her time with us.
I would also like to thank the rest of the Mudlark board members. Your dedication, willingness to provide your skills to benefit the company and your passion for the company are the reason that we are still here, and thriving today.
Mudlark Theatre
AGM 15 February 2022
Chair’s report.
2021 was both a challenging and exciting year for Mudlark.
We were fortunate to receive an automatic repeat of our 2020 Arts Tasmania Organisations funding as part of the Tasmanian Government’s COVID response, which provided the company with financial security for the second year in a row.
We were one of the first companies to return to the stage in 2021, with a remake of Stephanie Briarwood’s Caravan Boat Treehouse which toured to Burnie and Launceston. Audiences in Burnie were slow to return to the theatre, which resulted in the cancellation of a show, however the Launceston season was well supported.
We undertook two creative developments in 2021, Girl Running, Boy Falling, by Kate Gordon, adapated for the stage by Kate Gaul, and Summerland by Vicki Madden. The latter creative development was unsuccessful and did not result in a script that was suitable for Mudlark to present. This led to us having to cancel our planned season of the work in October. Following this, the board undertook a review of the creative development process which included interviewing all involved and researching best practice. We subsequently developed a new Creative Development Guidelines document which clearly sets out process and expectations. We hope that this will be an effective tool in helping artists understand how we work and how to work with us in the future.
The funds from the cancelled season were partially redirected to a premiere season of Jingled by Stephanie Briarwood which was presented at Junction Arts Festival in September. The remainder will be redirected to the 2022 annual program.
During the early part of the year, we undertook an extensive strategic planning process, which resulted in a detailed strategic plan and action plan for 2021-2025. This was the backbone for our application to the Arts Tasmania Organisation Multi-Year funding round, from which we were successful in securing single year funding of $200,000 for 2022, a significant increase on the previous two years and placing us among the highest funded theatre companies in the state.
Throughout the remainder of 2021, we continued to work towards the strategic and artistic goals set out in the strategic plan.
We welcomed new board member, Kate Gaul in 2021. Kate was a powerhouse of work, particularly around grant applications. Kate is not re-nominating at this AGM and I wish to sincerely thank her for the dedication, perspective and hard work she put into the company during her time with us.
I would also like to thank the rest of the Mudlark board members. Your dedication, willingness to provide your skills to benefit the company and your passion for the company are the reason that we are still here, and thriving today.
