Cultural leader reflects on Arts industry

Newly appointed Artistic Director of Queensland Theatre Company, Wesley Enoch will visit Toowoomba to speak at USQ’s Twilight Theatre Talk on 18 May.

One of Australia’s busiest theatre directors and also a well-known writer and cultural leader, Wesley will offer his personal insight into the theatre industry.

Originally from Stradbroke Island (Minjeribah), Welsey is a proud Noonuccal Nuugi man who is making a timely return to his home state.

'It is timely to come home and start the next phase of my career; talking with audiences beyond just the shows I can create but rather talk about the cultural shifts art can create in a society,' Wesley said.

'I have been working as a freelance artist on and off for twenty years, I've run some small theatre companies and been attached to some large companies, festivals and toured the world with my work. At this stage in my career it is exactly the kind of job I should be doing; small steps in a lofty ambition.'

An ambition that Wesley himself unwittingly predicted as a teenager.

'A friend who I went to Youth Theatre with as a 15-year-old recently reminded me that back then, I had said I wanted to run the QTC and I'd give myself til 40 to do it.

'I was appointed as Artistic Director of QTC a few months before my 41st birthday; a reminder to be thoughtful about what you wish for!'

Wesley has worked with all of Australia’s major theatre companies and his work has been staged in major festivals of the country and regularly tours overseas.

He is a well known cultural leader and is a member of a number of industry boards and committees including the Creative Australia Advisory Group, Ethics Council (National Congress of Australia’s First People) and a Trustee of the Sydney Opera House.

Wesley reflects on his career highlights as, “the shows and moments that have pushed me to the next level; The 7 Stages of Grieving, The Sunshine Club, Stolen, The Sapphires, directing in Tokyo with a group of Japanese actors in Japanese, working on the Opening Ceremony of the 2006 Commonwealth Games, being a Resident Director at Sydney Theatre Company, and being a trustee of the Sydney Opera House.

'All of these things have taught me much about my craft and the people who inhabit our profession. I have been blessed with good fortune and very supportive people who helped shape my career and given me opportunities along the way; Robyn Nevin gave me some of the biggest breaks in my career, Nick Enright supported me through them as a writer/dramaturg and mentor, Neil Armfield is a genius and I have learnt from his calm approach to life, and Michael and Ludmila Doneman gave me my first job at Contact Youth Theatre and supported me through my early career.'

During the Twilight Theatre Talk, Wesley will reflect on his time in the industry and speak about the role of the artist in Indigenous cultures and the function of art in the modern Australian society.

The one-hour Talk will commence at 6pm on Wednesday 18 May in the USQ Arts Theatre.

Tickets are $18 for adults, $15 concession, $13 student, $8 child and can be purchased through the USQ Artsworx Box Office on 07 46 31 1111.

This event is proudly hosted by the USQ Centre for Indigenous Knowledges.