The Imagine Festival was started in 2009 at Cleveland St Theatre, as a means of connecting creative people to each other. At that time, I had a little script in my top draw that I desperately wanted to see or at least hear. And I had, since 2008, wanted to work with Sally Blackwood a director who from all accounts knew how to talk to actors- how to make work which was beautiful and heartfelt. The Imagine Festival 2009, gave me that opportunity to take the great leap into approaching Sally with my little play “A Letter to the Man I’ll Never Kiss”…

With the help of the new theatre, Sally Blackwood, Rebecca Clarke, Jason Longley and Sarah Becker, I had the opportunity to see something of mine up in front of an audience… I had been busy all year facilitating the development of new scripts at Off the Shelf- and I was busy running Brand Spanking New 2009- and the imagine Festival gave me a chance to have some of my own creative satisfaction- for which I am very grateful.

This year- I have noticed that the season is curated by Lex Marinos- which is an exciting addition to the format of the festival. All the best to all those who are willing to be brave, creative and make time for their art… I can’t wait to see the 2010 Imagine festival.
Please see the press release below:

THE PRESS RELEASE-

Familiar to Australian audiences from his roles on classic TV series’ Kingswood Country, Embassy, and Live & Sweaty, Lex brings a wealth of experience to the Festival – awarded with an OAM in 1994 and the Centenary Medal in 2001 for services to the performing arts as an actor, director and writer- Lex was Director of Carnivale, NSW’s multicultural arts festival from 1996 -1999, Deputy Chair of the Australia Council, and a board member of the Multicultural Advisory Committee for SOCOG. Lex is currently Vice President of the Community Broadcasting Foundation. Lex is also a passionate speaker on arts and cultural diversity.
Lex Marinos says he is looking forward to working with emerging artists in his role as Director for the Imagine Festival : “It is inspiring to be amidst the energy and enthusiasm of up-and-coming young artists, I am excited about the culture of support and community spirit the Imagine Festival fosters”.
Artistic Director Lesley Watson is thrilled to welcome Lex Marinos on board as Festival Director “I have been fortunate to have the pleasure of working with Lex in my role as ACTT Director, where Lex has worked with our students as a tutor and director and I know his passion for the arts, humour and enormous experience as an artist and festival director are an absolute asset to the Imagine Festival and it is my great pleasure to welcome him to the team”
“We can see Sydney is a changing creative beast…just look at the incredible City of Sydney Art and About program, and the exciting new Sydney Fringe Festival – the inaugural Imagine Festival in 2009 has been part of this movement towards greater creative programming and support for artists and we are thrilled to continue on with Lex Marinos at the helm for 2010” says Artistic Director Lesley Watson.
“The Imagine Festival is an early opportunity to support independent artists, on a pragmatic level, as well as creatively – who knows which actor, dancer, director, writer, muso or new media artist may meet and foster new artistic relationships out of this” – Lesley Watson.
The Imagine Festival is a place where cabaret, live music, drama, dance, visual arts, story telling, discussions and creative classes come to life in one unique space at ACTT’s Cleveland Street Theatre complex..
The Cleveland St Theatre is situated in the heart of Sydney and is right near the blossoming communities of Redfern, Newtown and the Inner City. 199 Cleveland St, Sydney Central (opposite Prince Alfred Park).
For the latest information on The Imagine Festival go to our facebook page
For all media enquiries, please contact Olivia Hutchinson-Smith or Lex Marinos at festival@actt.edu.au or 02 9213 4500