My 2012 started with playing guitar on the riverbanks of a small NSW coastal town. No, not in public. Not even close to the public. A free barbeque area and the occasional fizz of an illegal backyard firework in the near distance, a few singlet-shirted boys (drunk and mouthy) were as close to “the public” as I got… I was sitting with two men, two guitars waiting for my year to begin. I thought of how my “year off” (2011) had failed – busier than ever, I had managed to mend my broken heart, direct too many shows, write, speak publicly about issues and ideas that keep me up late at night.

My start to 2012 was a lot like teenage love: naive, full of star gazing and fumbling about on guitars.

The start to 2013 found me gently sobbing to perfect voices soaring through Gale Edwards’ production of La Boheme at the Sydney Opera House. Thanks again to kind Mr Waites, who yet again, furthered my education in opera – we consumed all the canapés and drinks we could handle and rubbed shoulders with his contemporaries/my heroes of Australian theatre. As the sky exploded in splashes of ecstatic decadence – I was in awe of the contrast of the previous year.

My start to 2013 was a little more sophisticated, a little less naïve.

I have been absent from the Blogosphere – you’ve noticed? It’s been a necessary hiatus but now in revision. I thought I’d timeline for you highlights/low-lights from 2012: professional, theatrical, personal…

JANUARY
Professional:
In fierce rebellion against the Sydney Theatre Awards – I Tweeted a prolific stream of alternative thank yous to artists not represented/ineligible for nomination – I also wrote a justification of why I felt the awards were inherently unjust. John McCallum called me “grumpy” – and we soon hugged and made up.

Theatrical:
Attended 16 shows in total:
A spectacular bouquet of Sydney Festival shows – I had been invited left/right/centre to some really fascinating shows (plenty were about boxing, I recall)… Most notably I Am Eora (Carriageworks), The Boys (Griffin Theatre Company), Thyestes (Belvoir/Carriageworks), Carnival of Souls (Riverside Theatre)…

Personal:
Saw my first 3D film: Pina a film for Pina Bausch http://www.pina-film.de/en/
Started baking more bread… decided to reduce the quantity of shows I’d see in 2012.

FEBRUARY
Professional:
Meetings began with Sama Ky Balson about taking over a space for artists to make and create (The Arts Platform) – I started writing a business plan – and thinking differently about spaces to create.
I designed, developed an initiative for playwrights called Write Here Write Now to introduce me to Sydney-based playwrights interested in working with me on full length work and multiplaywright projects.

Theatrical:
Attended 11 shows in total:
Stand out shows included: Best We Forget (The Old Fitz), Pygmalion (Sydney Theatre), Namatjira (Riverside Theatres dir Scott Rankin)

Personal:
Highlight included a late night jam session at Zen Studios where I was reminded that I love playing music.
I received my first real adult haircut at a hairdressers. In Castle Hill. That’s all I’m saying about that.
I met Alain De Botton – we mutually follow each other on Twitter – It must be said he takes excellent direction… Here’s the proof…

MARCH
Professional:
I launched Write Here, Write Now, a program I had decided to create for 10 writers to write plays/scenes/sketches under pressure every second Monday for 2 months: Melita Rowston, Grace De Morgan, Jasper Marlow, Luke Carson, Guy Birks, Allie Sebastian Wolf, Georgia Symons, James Pike, Carolyn Burns, Melissa Lee Speyer.

I held a reading of Nick Atkins’ first near full length play: True North, read by Andrew Henry and Naomi Livingstone.

The NSW Writers Centre’s inaugural Playwrights Festival, curated by Australian Playwriting’s sweetheart Kate Mulvany, included me on panels:
“Fringe Benefits” with Drew Fairley and Leland Keane , and also “Reviewers VS the Reviewed” with John McCallum, Kevin Jackson, Kath Thomson, Lachlan Philpott et al. I wore a polka dot dress and chatted to full rooms about passion projects and practical matters…

All of a sudden The Arts Platform had taken over and was renovating the space above the Ray Hughes Gallery…

The Arts Platform V1.0

Theatrical:
Attended 10 shows in total:
Stand out shows included: New Electric Ballroom (Siren Theatre Company at The Griffin), The Marriage of Figaro (Benedict Andrew’s Opera Australia Production) – and some contentious ones: Belvoir’s Every breath was much commented on – everything from the gratuitous masturbation on stage, and suggested plagiarism, even Jason Blake suggested Belvoir’s dramaturgy department had been caught sleeping on the job.
http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/theatre/bad-bad-belvoir-20120329-1vzxs.html

Personal:
I started toying with the idea of starting a publishing house. I also ended the idea of starting a publishing house.

What I look like when I'm writing...

APRIL
Professional:
A paper I contributed to Australia Council’s Women In Theatre is published.
I was also approached by Bell Shakespeare to pitch – puzzled but always up for a chat – I did. It was a fun meeting, but clearly not the right fit – but amusing for both parties to see what happens when a New Australian Work Advocate is asked to pitch Comedy of Errors to Australia’s King of Shakespeare. Irony anyone?

I directed Stephen Wilkinson in Luke Carson’s Boys Night Out for Griffringe.

This was also the month of writing a metric tonne of grants for Arts Platform, Shh Centre for Hybrid Arts, My own projects and for 7-On Playwrights.

Theatrical:
Attended 6 shows in total:
April’s stand out shows included: Lord of the Flies (New Theatre dir Anthony Skuse), Henry Rollins (Seymour Centre)

Personal:
I finally learnt who Lady Gaga is… thanks to Luke Carson and Stephen Wilkinson. Terrifying. And the preamble makes next to no sense to me…

MAY
Professional:
Selected a song for ATYPs Fresh Ink May We Have This Dance Blog: curated by the lovely Jessica Bellamy. I selected Tim Minchin’s Drowned and she also linked to my muffin recipe: which I stand by even though I have refined it somewhat since then.

Became Board Secretary at Shopfront Contemporary Arts and Performance.

Theatrical:
Attended 11 shows:
May’s stand out shows included: Food (Belvoir Downstairs), Something in the Air (Sidetrack Theatre dir Jeremy Brull)
Contentious shows I reviewed included: Boo (King Street Theatre), Reasons to Feel Pretty (Darlinghurst Theatre) – only contentious as I yet again raised the need for American accents on Australian stages, An Officer and A Gentleman (The Star Theatre) after a terrible onslaught of reviews the (American) writer lashed out at the Australian theatre critics. The delightful Mr James Millar wrote an open letter responding:

Personal:
An army of internet trolls, a death threat and some health issues. I found out who my friends are. I became single.
I met Emma Magenta and she did this portrait of me:

Follow The Muse

JUNE
Professional:
I made the decision to stop blogging… abusive late night phone calls, emails, anonymous threats and one producer sending me reams of demands and insults: well, I thought, “I’d rather get more sleep.”

New headshots by Ms Marnya Rothe… had a lovely time having them taken.

I started traveling on trains with playwrights and photographers and begin dreaming/getting practical about “A View From Moving Windows” which was commissioned by Riverside Theatre’s True West season.

I threw myself into the End of Financial year as a time for fundraising and philanthropy – I hosted fundraisers for Shh Centre for Hybrid Arts and Shopfront Contemporary Arts and Performance… I donated money to The Arts Platform, Griffin Theatre Company, Darlinghurst Theatre Company.

Theatrical:
Attended 13 shows in total:
June’s stand out shows included: Truck Stop (Seymour Centre, dir Katrina Douglas), Porn.Cake (Griffin Independent dir Shannon Murphy), Hamlet (Sport for Jove)

Personal:
I met playwright John Misto and we spent 3 hours driving to Shoe Horn Sonata (produced by Emu Heights Productions, dir Ian Zammit)… he tells me I should focus on being a trophy wife and learn Chinese so I can meet a businessman. Instead I fall in love (for about a day) with John Misto.

Headshot my Marnya Rothe

JULY
Professional:
I made a decision to stop freelancing and focus all my attention in one artistic “home” – and by chance head hunters start buying me coffee and I start looking around for a ”Job Job.”

Theatrical:
Attended 7 shows in total:
July’s stand out shows included: All the Rage (Old Fitz, dir Leland Keane), Punk Rock (ATYP, dir Anthony Skuse), Variant (Seymour Centre), A Hoax (Griffin Theatre Company, dir Lee Lewis)
Death of A Salesman (Belvoir dir Simon Stone) causes a bit of a storm in a tea cup: Australian accents?!?! Cutting of the Requiem?!?!? GASP! Read Kevin Jackson here:

Personal:
I drank too much at John McCallum’s birthday party. Enough said about that the better.

AUGUST
Professional:
I was interviewed for the job of Assistant Director at Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre.
I held a reading of Catherine Zimdahl’s full-length play: Gifted, read by Helen O’leary, Suz Mawer, Kate Skinner, Stephen Wilkinson, Peter Maple, Shondelle Pratt and Ildiko Susany.
I hold a series of Playwriting Workshops open to everyone at The Arts Platform.

Theatrical:
Attended 17 shows in total:
August’s stand out shows included:
On the Misconception of Oedipus (Malthouse dir Matt Lutton),
Double Bill – Master Peter’s Puppet Show’ & What’s Next (Victorian Opera dir Nancy Black)

Personal:
I met Chris Boyd – he adopted me when I was in Melbourne and forced a composer the lovely Dave Maney to cook dinner for me at the last minute. We arrived at Dave’s house. Dave was charming. I also met Bryce Ives that night.
Whilst on a 5 day visit to Melbourne I realised how many friends/colleagues I have there – I was hosted by critics (Aunty) Alison Croggon, Cameron Woodhead, Chris Boyd and playwrights Ned Manning, Shannon Murdoch.
I met my newly arrived Nephew “Henry James Clement” who inspired me to buy a leather jacket and own my Aunty status.

Henry is a tough crowd, but liked my story of overcoming the odds as a patchwork knight.

SEPTEMBER
Professional:
I travel to This is Not Art Festival and speak on a panel “I’ve Started and Blog and Now I’m a Critic” alongside Jane Howard (my blogging sister.)
I start at Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre: a staggered start as I am gearing up for a show… I meet the team, pick artwork for my office and start reading business plans, strategic plans etc.
Meanwhile I start scouting for talent for A View From Moving Windows: auditions, meetings, production meetings by the end of September I had cast and A View From Moving Windows had started rehearsal…
http://aviewfrommovingwindows.com/

Theatrical:
Attended 18 shows in total:
September’s stand out shows included: The Hiding Place (ATYP dir, Kai Raisbeck), Ride (The Old 505 Theatre, dir Gareth Boylan), The Sea Project (Griffin Theatre Company, dir Paige Rattray), Esque (New Theatre dir Scott Selkirk), Win/Win: Power, Privilege and my Little Pony* (Pact , Leon Ewing)

Personal:
I attended a lot of The Festival of Dangerous Ideas with BestFriend Chris and his engineering pals… sat and chatted with Germaine Greer as Sam Harris spoke about the Delusion of Free Will.

*Leon’s show was disturbing as there was a segment which Leon tailored to me as he knew I was attending. He attempted to destroy me publicly including a video of me made my ex… I loved the show, and loved how he attempted to destroy me. But It proved I am made of stronger stuff. My date was concerned for me. I wasn’t. We had beer together after the show. I was flattered whilst also being annoyed. A new feeling for me at the theatre.

The stamp I'm not allowed to use: for obvious reasons

OCTOBER
Professional:
I had the delight/horror of selecting 1 hour’s worth of music that meant something to me for FBI Radio’s Out of the Box program… Harder than you’d think:
I was invited by the Centre for Sustainability Leadership to speak on a panel to their young entrepreneurs/leaders. I wore a pretty dress, swore a lot and asked them to only back (financially, emotionally) that which they absolutely believe in. As was talking I realised I may have needed to give that talk more than they needed to hear it, but anyway, they made an INCREDIBLE dinner. I felt a small measure of regret that perhaps shouldn’t have delivered such a “blue” talk.

October was all about A View From Moving Windows – rehearsing/opening/closing the show: whilst working a few days a week at my new job at Casula.

Theatrical:
Attended 1 show (other than my own):
Between Two Waves of the Sea (Griffin Theatre Company, dir Sam Strong)

Personal:
I started spending too much time with a younger man who ignited my interest in Hip Hop. I discovered the work of Horrorshow and I fell in love with the nostalgia for a youthful time I never really had. In short, I had a mid life crisis. But he was tall and relaxed and made me laugh.
I turned 33.

NOVEMBER
Professional:
I started full time as the Assistant Director of Casula Powerhouse Art Centre… where we hosted the StoryLab Workshops for Griffin Theatre Company.
Meanwhile in my creative life I was directing a moved reading of 7-On Playwrights Collective’s (Hilary Bell, Ned Manning, Verity Laughton, Noelle Janaczewska, Donna Abela, Vanessa Bates, Catherine Zimdahl) new suit of work: PLATONIC at NIDA with a cast of: Helen O’Leary, Tracy Mann, Jeremy Waters, Stephen Wilkinson, Shondelle Pratt, Wendy Strehlow, Madeleine Jones, Lynden Jones, Maggie Blinco.

Theatrical:
Attended 9 shows in total:
November’s stand out shows included: St Joan (Genesian Theatre dir Kevin Jackson), Blue Angel Hotel (Old Fitz, dir Aarne Neeme), 7arakat (Rex Cramphorn Studio), The Share (Seymour Centre, Dir Corey McMahon)

Personal:
I started considering the notion that weekends should be for friends, not for work. I watched Breakfast at Tiffanys for research. I was horrified by Micky Rooney/ delighted by the writing…

DECEMBER
Professional:
I taught theatrical criticism to HSC students at NIDA. I ended the class rewarding the students by throwing chocolate frogs at them if they could answer basic Australian Theatre history facts. I ended up giving them the frogs anyway.
I threw myself into a few matters involving emerging artists. Attended board meetings. Hosted my End Of year Party at The Petersham Bowling Club…
Sat on the couch of my Best friend Chris and wrote the first draft of a musical for/with Barbara Bryce and Sue Smith– “When Mermaids Sing.”
After 2 years of false starts and many challenges the plays from Stories from The 428 plays was formatted ready for publishing.

Theatrical:
Attended 7 shows in total:
December is a month of parties in the arts: showcases for recent graduates, Christmas parties etc… there was a lot of foyers and canapés in December… but I’ll have to consult my diary for any stand out productions.
Alison Croggon announced her retirement from Theatre Notes. Read James Waites here:
http://jameswaites.com/

Personal:
I became single again and decided to dedicate more time to doing my laundry.

And so that was my year: with some omissions of more incidental events: also I don’t mention my 35 hour a week day-job in there. Actually I just did…

AND WHAT ABOUT 2013?
Well I’ll fill you in on how the year is shaping up in the next post: it contains a reflection on the art I experienced in and around the Sydney Festival under the direction of Lieven Bertels… a few hot topics in art regarding curation as an artform, and a few projects I’m forming and about to launch this year…

But for now, it’s time to do some laundry….