Very soon, Shopfront Theatre will say goodbye to Artistic Director/CEO TJ Eckleberg as he heads out to pursue a collage of exciting and interesting new projects both in Australia and Internationally. He’s been a fantastic visionary for Shopfront Theatre, a tireless visionary and a go get ’em facilitator to the development of many artists over his 7 year career. We have been very lucky to have a dynamo like TJ forging ahead into sometimes unknown territory – and we can only wish him the very best for the future which will be nothing but bright and exciting. But this means, that…

Shopfront is seeking an Artistic Director / CEO!

Shopfront Contemporary Arts & Performance is looking for an experienced Artistic Director / CEO with exceptional creative vision, and outstanding leadership and business skills to lead its dynamic and creative community. We are looking for someone with the ability to inspire as an artist and director; and who is passionate, innovative and supportive in their cultivation of individuals and the community.

Shopfront is a dynamic and exciting organisation. Using a process fusing different forms and disciplines, the company incorporates technology, contemporary arts practice and sustained skills development to foster long term engagement and empowerment of young people. Read more

It’s been a little over a week since the (New) Inaugural Sydney Fringe closed. For the general public there may be some confused murmurs.. “Sydney has a Fringe?”… Newtown has settled down to it’s usual thrumming pace as the artists wait some weeks until box office reconciliations declare a sink or swim.

There is no doubt that Sydney needed/needs a Fringe Festival- especially when you consider the quality artists who are drained out of Sydney when Adelaide and Melbourne are opening their doors – and the feasibility study said so. Artists, venues, councils all agreed that a Fringe festival would indeed be a good idea for the economy of the local area ( in the realm of City of Sydney Council and Marrickville Council) – for artists bring with them a mystique: an idea of lifestyle (an edgy/alternative life wherein ideas and ideals mean more than money… ), they bring punters who like pre-show drinks and after show desserts… and the type of energy that makes life feel spontaneous and things seem/feel possible… Artists are by nature brave – and they , their practice of their art inspires others to do so… and Newtown- the funky/hip epicentre was the place to do it where lifestyle and resources collide. Artists wanted it. Over 300 submissions were made. Wow! And all signs were pointing to “This makes perfect sense! WHY DOESN’T SYDNEY HAVE A FRINGE?!?!” Read more

It’s a funny catchy title. I loved asking people “Are you seeing My Private Parts?”… and the usual guffaw or smirk results. In a Fringe Festival guide stuffed full of shows, it is hard to find a point of difference- but My Private Parts manages this brilliantly.

Polka dot dresses, Doris Day tunes, a giant picture of a pin up girl with a microwave inserted where her “private parts” would be… a three piece band, plenty of music and two stunning performers- what more could I possibly want? Read more

Yesterday was playwriting Australia’s marathon “Breaking Down the Doors” which offered over 80 playwrights the opportuntity to have a section/scene of their work read by professional actors, facilitated by professional directors at Carriageworks. I was one of the few folk who attended over 8 hours of playreading (yep, I’m hardcore!) making notes on the plays I had seen or read before, writers I knew, writers I didn’t know and writers I want to know. It was large scale, impressive carousel of plays. By contrast Off the Shelf- an opportunity for plays to be developed over a month is an intimate affair: only 5 teams are selected- the readings are for an invited audience only. There are several scripts developed during Off the Shelf that have gone onto have a production- Combat Fatigue, Sexy Tales of Paleontology, Zetland and The Hideous Demise of Detective Slate have all been included in the Sydney Fringe, And Of the Causes of Wonderful Things is on at Next Wave Festival in Brisbane.

Queen Street Studio is a wonderful place to work… built on the vision of Sam Chester and James Winter, Queen Street Studio is an artist run rehearsal space, meeting and event venue that fosters and encourages the development of artists.

In the performing arts industry, sometimes it feel as though you are fighting a beaurocracy, being selected by administrators, not peers or artists… sometimes it is lonely and isolating. Queen Street Studio is the place where performers, performance makers and writers can come to be nurtured, develop work or process, and rehearse. I am honoured to be a part of the team at Queen Street Studio, and able to provide emerging writers an opportunity to develop new scripts. Read more

Since April, I have been reading, researching, approaching playwrights… It’s what I spend most of my time thinking about… I talk to them, I read plays, I see plays, I hang out at playwriting courses… I see readings, I hold readings… all in the name of BRAND SPANKING NEW. Read more

Remounting a show is a huge gamble- the hope that people who missed it last time are in town and can see it, the hope that those who saw the original show feel such a fondness for the show they want to see a replay (like that much loved VHS tape from my childhood) or are curious to see how it has changed. It’s a gamble that the writers, the directors and actors want to see it again, want to work on it again- want to plunge their foot in the same river twice… and the risk feels huge.

Luckily for Stories from the 428, a collection of the writers, directors and actors were available, keen and generous enough to lend their time and talent- and with the help of Leslie, Naomi, Guy and Kendall at ACTT the rehearsals were sorted out- and before long everyone was back ready to jump on board and into the Fringe Festival. Read more

I have been receiving text messages, emails and in casual conversations I have been asked repeatedly, “So… the Sydney Fringe… there’s just so much on… I don’t know where to begin… what should I see?”

So in response to them, I say “Well there’s plenty to see- just don’t panic! Don’t panic! Stop trembling! Put down that chocolate bar- you’ll be OK! Just make sure you catch something at the inaugural Sydney Fringe!!!” And so I thought I would write a little post to let you know what I am keen on seeing, and what I know about… and what I’ve been working on… it’s been a busy couple of months! There’s a mix of stuff in here- yep, even a visual arts show! And that’s what festivals about- sampling a little bit of everything… Read more

I’m experiencing a definite zombie zeitgeist… and I’m not talking about our current hung parliament. A friend of mine says that zombie films are really siege films- where a population is surrounded and consumed by zombies- the inescapable siege. Perhaps it’s the fact that Australia, in it’s island sensibility fears invasion so strongly that this zombie terror is raising it’s ugly undead head? In thinking about zombies- i think about the insatiable need to consume (often brains, I believe)- and that perhaps the rise of zombie presence is a comment on our need to mindlessly consume and purchase? I feel the zombie-ness acutely in my 14 hour work days- and surely I am not alone? We are the working poor, are we not? Read more

In my car- my much loved mustard yellow 1980 Toyota Corona, affectionately known as “Golden Oldie”- I headed down the Princes Highway at a respectable speed- White Zombie crackling through the stereo. The streetlights flick past. The dashboard display glows pale green our faces. We are on our way to Shopfront Theatre’s major project at Hazelhurst Gallery in Gymea- At the Drive In. Read more

Earlier this year, a group of playwrights, directors, crew and actors came together to create a project inspired by Sydney’s transport system. A suite of plays were presented at Sidetrack theatre- a different suite each week for two weeks celebrating the bizarre, fantastical, romantic, infuriating Sydney Commuter experience. With a total of nearly 100 artists on board- nearly 1500 people over 10 performances enjoyed the fruits of their labours. Six months later, most of the directors and an ensemble cast have come together with a selection of the scenes from both weeks, culminating in a new show- full of surprises! If you missed it- this is your chance! Read more