Mudlark Theatre inc.

Mudlark Theatre Inc is a strong, professional regional theatre company, with a growing national profile for rich creative collaborations and producing an eclectic annual season of new & contemporary work and hidden classics.  Mudlark aims to provide a strong, regional theatre voice which acts as an exciting articulation of the talent of Tasmanian theatre artists and their capacity to develop, transform and inspire.

 
Mudlark engages with emerging and professional artists, and the Tasmanian community, on a three-fold platform:

·         the production of first-class adult contemporary theatre (whether original works or re-investigations of text)

·         the staging of experimental, mentored work & the generation of artist development opportunities

·         a commitment to act as an advocate for performing arts in both regional and metropolitan Tasmania

The composition of the annual program reflects a commitment to developing Mudlark’s audience base through programming shows which appeal to audience members of wide ranging backgrounds and ages. Alternate venues including black box theatres are utilised to enhance the immediate impact of the live theatre experience.  

 
Mudlark demonstrates a commitment to articulate our sense of regionality, through production of shows with a robust narrative, artist development and first-class theatre practice.

Cross is the ‘lynchpin’ production for Mudlark in 2008, having been partially funded by Arts Tasmania and then bought by Theatre North for inclusion its 2008 Subscription Season.  This production has all the qualities necessary to make a viable option for touring nationally in the following years.  Potential avenues include Regional Arts Victoria showcase, Tasmania Performs, the Regional Wave Cohort and direct festival marketing. 

 
The upcoming 08/09 seasons seek to build national recognition for Tasmanian regional theatre.  Two Hundred Ks is an epic collaboration between 7 regional theatre writers, and will be staged and toured as a co-production of Mudlark and JUTE Theatre (Cairns, QLD); the production of Cross as part of Theatre North’s 2008 Subscription Season is a major springboard for touring; and Beautiful  (2009), is a powerful work which explores Tasmanian notions of regionality.

 
Mudlark embraces its responsibility to foster the growing professionalism in regional theatre by managing a focused sustainable program.   Mudlark seeks to engage high calibre artists, and enters into profit-share agreements with artists, if government or corporate funding is not in place. It also engages with other regional theatre companies in artistic and strategic endeavors.  Mudlark is in regular contact with JUTE Theatre in Cairns about future evolution and in 2008 is also hosting/producing The Flowering, written and performed by Queensland artist Donna Cameron. 

 
In order to foster new experimental work and work practice, Mudlark is also formulating its development program, which provides formal and informal skills training, as well as accepting submissions from emerging artists to have small-scale ‘fringe’ theatre supported and produced in alternative venues. This program (the Full Moon Program) will be launched in 2008 and aims to foster the creative community in Tasmania, giving artists the resources to be able to experiment with new ideas and theatre techniques. The successful applicants receive mentorship from professional artists, a venue for a four week hands-on process and production assistance to unveil a staging of new, original theatre under a full moon. It is this energising of emerging artists and the supporting of their ideas which will foster new works for Mudlark’s mainstage seasons in the future.

 
Mudlark values the employment of Tasmanian artists and is engaging with nationally recognised intra- and interstate artists.  In 2008 Mudlark worked with acclaimed performer/writer/dramaturg Kathryn Ash (QLD) and stage combat guru Kyle Rowling (NSW) on two separate creative developments, with both artists conducting artist development workshops.  The 08/09 seasons will see Mudlark working with a wide range of acclaimed artists including: Donna Cameron (performer/writer), Peter Matheson (dramaturg), Robert Jarman (director), Suellen Maunder (director), Frank Newman (theatre creator), L’hibou Hornung (director), Theresa O’Connor (theatre creator) and Dominie Hooper (designer). 

 
Mudlark has formed important partnerships and relationships with other artists nationally.  In 2008 Mudlark will host a creative development of the epic 200Ks project, which engages 7 regional writers nationally and support and auspice the Silver Strings creative development project.