2020 Artistic Director’s Report

Artists constantly respond and adapt. It’s what we do to keep art relevant, ideas fresh and push boundaries.

This desire to navigate new terrain is even the reason some of us are artists in the first place – to reflect, comment, make sense of the world or be part of a change. Great periods of art have come out of the most difficult and challenging times in history – and whilst we’re still to truly understand the impact of COVID on theatre and young artists, we can be certain that we’ve been changed this year at least. Here at Union House Theatre, we’ve transferred our entire program online and developed new modes of connecting, communicating and being creative together.

Virtual intensives and workshops, digital art-making projects, solo practice, technical videos and artist development initiatives have been the staple of activities with students in 2020. Moving online was challenging for people who love being in theatres and rehearsal rooms together. But silver linings now mean that this temporary transition has allowed for access to theatre in new ways. Maybe people who couldn’t be part of our programs before felt a new ease and freedom to participate; and we’ve been able to keep connected with our students who needed to move out of Melbourne – wherever their homes may be.

We’re longing to be in rehearsal rooms again – connecting with people face to face and getting to know a whole new generation of artists and audience. We’re grateful for what we’ve learned during this year – demonstrating that a pandemic can’t keep our community from being creative.

In my role as Artistic Director at Union House Theatre where I work with young and emerging artists, I cannot ignore how the pandemic will affect them. But also, I believe that the young people in our community hold answers. I’m continually inspired by the strength and willingness of the members of the UHT community. This year is no different – thanks to everyone who was part of UHT in 2020 – whether you participated in one of our programs for the first time or are a seasoned regular – we look forward to a bright future together.

Xanthe Beesley
Artistic Director/Theatre Coordinator, Union House Theatre

You can read the full report here:
Union House Theatre – Year in Review 2020

2021 Artistic Director’s Reflections

It’s the end of the year, and it’s my second day in the office since July. The last time I was in here was on the eve of Lockdown 5 (that was the one that rolled seamlessly into Lockdown 6 if you understandably need some help with your Lockdown accounting). The venues were ready, the Student Theatre Groups were rehearsing and having production meetings. Artists were contracted to deliver exciting in-person programs, shows were being designed, masks were coming on and off and on and off, and a lot of COVIDSafe planning was underway in our cautious attempts at staging onsite events at Union House Theatre. And now here we are! Semester is over. All those shows were postponed, and everything else was quickly transformed for the Zoomscape. We persisted and arrived, albeit a little weary, at the end of the year.

The end of the year typically offers us the chance to reflect on programs and performances, artists, exchanges, the students who have arrived and those who have graduated, their contributions and stories. But it’s hard to know how to talk about 2021. Now that I’m back in Union House after all the lockdowns I’m thinking about what’s stayed the same and what has changed during this time.

We know that so much has happened online, that our community remained strong and connected, that new friendships were developed and fantastic creative ideas explored. But we also know that the online space is inaccessible for some. Opportunities to be together in real time are critical for theatre people, who live off the vibrating energy of bodies in space, gathering in community to share an experience and be transformed.

Last year I remember thinking that it will be the young people in our community who hold the answers to how we move into a brighter future for theatre and the performing arts post pandemic. And though it’s hard to know what to make of 2021, at least this still rings true. So, whilst it’s quiet outside today and the Concrete Lawn is empty, it won’t be long ‘til students come knocking on our door again, before they start planning and plotting their shows in the venues, before they begin learning how to build sets, produce events, write plays, try live performance, make friends and start taking over the world!

And I can’t wait to be sitting here, in my office, ready to welcome them home.

Xanthe Beesley
Artistic Director/Theatre Coordinator, Union House Theatre

You can read the full report here:

Union House Theatre – Year in Review 2021