MerrigongX Conversations

MERRIGONGX 2024 Launch

The MERRIGONGX 2024 season has launched! Join Anne-Louise Rentell (Director – The Strangeways Ensemble) and Merrigong's Artistic Associate – Artist Wellbeing Bonnie Curtis as they discuss our new Artist Wellbeing Program that MERRIGONGX will pilot this year. Created after months of research, the program will provide tailored support, accessibility services, and workshops to nurture the holistic health of 2024 MERRIGONGX artists.   To find out more about our 2024 MERRIGONGX Presentations check out the links below A Place In The Sultan's Kitchen [https://merrigong.com.au/shows/a-place-in-the-sultans-kitchen/] by Joshua Hinton, 8 - 10 Aug Birdsong of Tomorrow [https://merrigong.com.au/shows/birdsong-of-tomorrow/] by Nathan Harrison, 22 - 24 Aug The Cardinal Rules [https://merrigong.com.au/shows/the-cardinal-rules/] by Rose Maher, with Hurrah Hurrah, 31 Oct - 2 Nov --- MerrigongX season artwork by Karla Hayes [https://www.karlahayes.com.au/]

Neisha Murphy

Merrigong's Artistic Development Manager Leland Kean speaks with ChaChi & the Sea of Tears' [https://merrigong.com.au/shows/chachi-and-the-sea-of-tears/] writer/performer Neisha Murphy [https://merrigong.com.au/merrigongx/merrigongx2023/neisha-murphy/] Leland and Neisha discuss how she discovered her love of circus, how she arrived in the Gong and her connections to Circus Monoxide and The Vault. They also discuss the impact of the pandemic on Neisha and the origins and development of her show ChaChi & the Sea of Tears. ChaChi & The Sea of Tears is the first MerrigongX show for the 2023 season. In ChaChi Neisha combines clowning and storytelling in an action-packed show about facing your fears and finding light in the darkness – even in the biggest downpours. Full of slapstick comedy, hilarious antics, daring circus and the big time feels… oh, and don’t forget your brolly! ChaChi & the Sea of Tears runs 2-4 March at Wollongong Town Hall. Book now. [https://aumtco.sales.ticketsearch.com/sales/salesevent/91164]

MerrigongX 2023 Launch

MerrigongX 2022 artist Nathan Harrison [https://linktr.ee/nlfharrison] from Applespiel and Merrigong's Artistic Development Manager Leland Kean discuss the 2023 MerrigongX Season [https://merrigong.com.au/merrigongx/] that launches Wednesday 15th February. Leland and Nathan chat about all things independent theatre, Leland's journey through the arts, and the MerrigongX 2023 program. As those who know Leland, he likes a yarn, so that is exactly what this episode is (oh and just a warning he swears a lot). Leland is not shy of an opinion, so hang on as they swing from the early nineties performance scene in Sydney through the many independent stages and programs that have influenced and led to the formation of the MerrigongX artists program we run today at Merrigong. MerrigongX Presentations ChaChi & the Sea of Tears [https://merrigong.com.au/shows/chachi-and-the-sea-of-tears/] by Neisha Murphy [https://merrigong.com.au/merrigongx/merrigongx2023/neisha-murphy/], 2 - 4 March Optimal Stopping [https://merrigong.com.au/shows/optimal-stopping/] by Proper Motion [https://merrigong.com.au/shows/optimal-stopping/] & La Infinita Compañía, 30 March - 1 April uNCOILEd eXposed [https://merrigong.com.au/shows/uncoiled-exposed/] by AUSTI. Dance and Physical Theatre [https://www.austitheatre.com.au/], 19 - 21 October Landed [https://merrigong.com.au/shows/landed/] by Frumpus [https://merrigong.com.au/merrigongx/merrigongx2023/frumpus/], 2 - 4 November Development Showing My Beautiful Man by Alana Valentine [https://merrigong.com.au/merrigongx/merrigongx2023/alana-valentine/], 3 June MerrigongX artwork by Clare O'Toole [https://www.instagram.com/clare.otoole/?hl=en]

Michelle Maxwell

Michelle Maxwell is AUSTI. Dance & Physical Theatre [https://www.austitheatre.com.au/]'s Artistic Director. She is an accomplished teacher, choreographer and director. Her driving passion is working with young dancers, giving them professional opportunities, mentorship and guidance is infectious. Michelle discusses her choreographic process and this year's uNCOILEd eXposed [https://merrigong.com.au/shows/uncoiled-exposed-development-showing/] with Merrigong's Creatability Producer Intern Bonnie Curtis. Bonnie is a choreographer and Artistic Director of Bonnie Curtis Projects [https://bonniecurtisprojects.com/]. uNCOILEd eXposed [https://merrigong.com.au/shows/uncoiled-exposed-development-showing/] //uNCOILEd eXposed is an experimental theatre residency that represents an unveiling of fresh choreographic talent from the region. Emerging artists from diverse styles and backgrounds have worked collaboratively with AUSTI. company artists to create new innovative dance works.is an experimental theatre residency that represents an unveiling of fresh choreographic talent from the region. Emerging artists from diverse styles and backgrounds have worked collaboratively with AUSTI. company artists to create new innovative dance works. uNCOILEd eXposed [https://merrigong.com.au/shows/uncoiled-exposed-development-showing/] runs 20 - 22 Oct at Illawarra Performing Arts Centre. Reserve your tickets now! [https://aumtco.sales.ticketsearch.com/sales/salesevent/76125]

Elana Stone & Tom Hogan

Merrigong's Artist Development Manager Leland Kean talks with Elana Stone and Tom Hogan [https://merrigong.com.au/merrigongx/merrigongx2022/elane-stone-tom-hogan/] about their new musical tragic comedy Mount Hopeless [https://merrigong.com.au/shows/mount-hopeless/]. Mount Hopeless [https://merrigong.com.au/shows/mount-hopeless/] was originally scheduled for June 2020 but was cancelled for obvious reasons and then rescheduled for August 2021 when COVID shutdowns struck again! We're now very excited to finally have the show go up in September 2022! Mount Hopeless [https://merrigong.com.au/shows/mount-hopeless/] is based on the story of Burke & Wills. The two idiots are often heralded as tragic heroes, and as symbols of the Australian spirit, rather than a warning tale of exactly what not to do. The songs are joyous, the story has you slapping your forehead, saying “NO, YOU FOOLS!”, and underneath it all are some real questions about mateship, biting off more than you can chew, and rewriting history to suit your own narrative. Mount Hopeless runs from Sept 1 - 3. Book now! [https://merrigong.com.au/shows/mount-hopeless/]