POLYGLOT THEATRE

ANNUAL REPORT

2015

02 › ANNUAL REPORT 2015 ABOUT

ABOUT

Polyglot Theatre is Australia’s leading creator of interactive and participatory theatre for children and families. Polyglot embraces explorative contemporary practice to create large-scale playful interactive works, experiential theatre works, workshops and residencies with school children; valuing audience involvement alongside professional performance.

Our distinctive artistic philosophy has placed us at the international forefront of contemporary arts experiences for babies and children up to 12 years, meeting with professional acclaim and recognition around the world.

MISSION

Polyglot’s mission is to make innovative and daring theatre which provides children worldwide the opportunity for imagination and adventure through participation.

VISION

Polyglot places children at the heart of our art. Our vision is of a future where children are powerful: artistically, socially and culturally. We are committed to offering transformational, playful arts experiences that are alive and human in their content and connection, knowing that in this, we offer something that is vital for children everywhere.

VALUES

We are guided in our work by three value areas:

» Children are always at the heart of our art: as collaborators, instigators and audience. Our work exists to give children the power to be in control;

» Our artistic approach is one of unbridled curiosity and daring; we champion possibility and innovation;

» We work with respect, resourcefulness and a spirit of genuine collaboration, in the pursuit of a sustainable future.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS ARTISTS

Tom Gutteridge, Chair

Mario Agostinoni, Treasurer

Belinda Bowman

Kathy Fox

Dr Mark Williams

STAFF

Sue Giles, Artistic Director/co-CEO

Viv Rosman, Executive Producer/co-CEO

Tamara Harrison, Executive Producer/

co-CEO (until July)

Gail Southwell, General Manager

Emma Dodd, Associate Producer

Julie Wright, Associate Producer

Emma Patterson, Communications

Coordinator

Rebecca Chew, Development Manager

Debby Maziarz, Business

Development Consultant

Kate Kantor, Community

Collaborations Director

Lis Blake, Community

Collaborations Producer

Lexie Wood, Administration Coordinator

Fleur Brett, Bookkeeper

ANNUAL REPORT 2015 › 03SECTION TITLE

3 NEWWORKS

REACHING MORE THAN

PEOPLE ACROSS SIX DIFFERENT COUNTRIES

68,000

5 COMMUNITYENGAGEMENTPROJECTS

7 independent artist developments supported through

Space To Playprogram

Organisational sustainability

policy adopted with Greenie In Residence

funding from City of Melbourne

Exploration of digital technology

with Geek In Residence funding from the Australia Council

for the Arts

Sue Giles appointedto ASSITEJ Executive

Committee

177 ARTIST OPPORTUNITIESCREATED

5 CREATIVEDEVELOPMENTPROCESSES

INTERNATIONAL TOURING TO KOREA, POLAND, SINGAPORE, USA, HONG KONG AND INDONESIA.

NATIONAL TOURING INVICTORIA, SOUTH AUSTRALIA,

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

METROPOLITAN MELBOURNE ANDREGIONAL VICTORIAN TOURING TO

SHEPPARTON, WARRAGUL AND SALE

NEW INTERNATIONALCULTURAL EXCHANGE MODEL

FIRST INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATIONWITH PAPERMOON THEATRE, INDONESIA

107WORKSHOPS

249PERFORMANCES

INDEPENDENT ARTIST DEVELOPMENTS SUPPORTED THROUGH OUR SPACE TO PLAY PROGRAM

5COMMUNITYENGAGEMENTPROJECTS 1 GREEN

ROOM AWARD

INTERNATIONAL TOURING AND COLLABORATIONS IN ABU DHABI, BRAZIL, DENMARK, GERMANY, HONG KONG, INDONESIA, JAPAN, MACAU, NORWAY, SINGAPORE, UK AND USA.

249PERFORMANCES 3INTERNATIONAL

COLLABORATIONS

CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT PROCESSES

220workshops

Reaching more than

87,700people in 13 countries

ARTIST OPPORTUNITIES CREATED269 5

4 SCHOOL RESIDENCIES

6

NATIONAL TOURING IN VICTORIA, QUEENSLAND AND

NEW SOUTH WALES.

METROPOLITAN AND REGIONAL VICTORIAN TOURING AND PROJECTS

IN GEELONG, MT BEAUTY, SHEPPARTON, WONTHAGGI AND MELBOURNE.

ACHIEVEMENTS 2015

ANNUAL REPORT 2015 › 03ACHIEVEMENTS

04 › ANNUAL REPORT 2015 CHAIR’S REPORT

CHAIR’S REPORT

2015 was a triumphant year for Polyglot and one of the busiest on record, despite the unexpected changes to the federal government’s funding regime.

Along with our peers across the sector, we now inhabit an arts funding environment that is much less predictable and stable. This knowledge is driving Polyglot’s latest strategic plan, focused on diversifying income streams through innovation and new business models.

A major challenge for the company during the year was to find a new Executive Producer following the departure of Tamara Harrison in July. We offer our warmest thanks and gratitude to Tamara for her enormous contribution to Polyglot over the last three years and wish her all the very best in her new pursuits.

With a sharp awareness of the company’s new direction, and the aforementioned funding challenges, we conducted an intensive recruitment process. We were fortunate enough to secure the services of the very talented Viv Rosman, whose extensive experience across the full range of creative producing and strategic acuteness made her the perfect fit for us. It has been exciting to see how quickly she has become a vital part of the Polyglot organism.

As for the triumphs, they have been legion: more international touring successes with Tangle in the UK, We Built This City in Abu Dhabi, and the first international outing for Polyglot’s extraordinary How High The Sky in Macau and Hong Kong; the world premiere of Separation Street at the Melbourne Fringe Festival; memorable school residency programs at Dinjerra, St Joseph’s and Mahogany Rise Primary Schools and exciting collaborations, both in Australia – with Beyond Empathy working in the Illawarra region and Moree – and overseas – with Indonesia’s Papermoon Puppet Theatre.

Once again Polyglot’s extraordinary staff have successfully negotiated this enormous workload – and bought a new van! I would like to thank them all for their tireless dedication and patience. There is no doubt that the company’s success is founded on this fabulous teamwork. It helps that we have a leader in Sue Giles who is so talented, generous, inspiring and collaborative. The combination of Sue and Viv gives me great confidence in the next few years.

In order to do its work, Polyglot is enormously indebted to its many supporters and stakeholders: our government funders – local, state and federal, our trusts and foundations, our beloved private supporters including our Patron, Miss Betty Amsden AO, our mighty voluntary Board (including recently departed members) and – on the principle that ‘the first shall be last’ – the children! They are always at the heart of Polyglot’s work; as creators, audience, participants, provocateurs, advisors, documenters and entertainers. Thank you all!

This annual report outlines an amazing year for Polyglot, but I believe the best is yet to come.

Tom Gutteridge Chair

ANNUAL REPORT 2015 › 05EXECUTIVES’ REPORT

EXECUTIVES’ REPORT

Polyglot experienced significant growth in 2015, with development in new markets taking us to exciting and unexpected places.

Our artistic and geographic explorations helped us to form new relationships and consolidated some very special ongoing partnerships which will continue to flourish well into the future. With 249 performances, three international collaborations, five community engagement projects and four school residencies, we reached more than 87,700 people in 13 countries; reflecting our reputation and consistent desire to stretch and explore.

We are constantly challenged and inspired by the nature of our approach – participation and interaction in a theatre experience, journeys into public and urban spaces, and above all – our commitment to placing children at the centre of all we do. Our creative methods continue to bring new and surprising outcomes, taking our artists and audiences on revealing and often amusing journeys.

Our international and intercultural collaborations took centre stage in 2015, as we travelled to far corners of the planet to work on our projects Cerita Anak (Child’s Story) with Papermoon Puppet Theatre

in Indonesia and Drawbridge with Acchi Cocchi in Japan, as well as a project in Brazil working with Nucleo Dedalos Labirinto. Our international collaborations thrive on genuine exchange between companies who have different approaches and art forms, and we deeply value these relationships.

Our family of Polyglot artists worked tirelessly throughout 2015, allowing us to successfully deliver an ambitious touring schedule, as well as our schools projects, workshops, and community engagement programs. Their dedication to authentic artistic exchange with audiences and our collaborators keeps our work evolving; in fact, their skills have inspired the development of a new program to be launched in 2016 – The Generator.

Our PIPS group (Polyglot Inspiring People’s Society) worked alongside us to develop ideas around new works including the Green Room Award-winning Separation Street, Forest Feast, Boats, Voice Lab and Cerita Anak (Child’s Story).

Sue Giles Artistic Director

Viv RosmanExecutive Producer

Our wonderful staff keep the Polyglot ship sailing, working hard to make the work we do – in all its complexity and on whatever continent we are in – run smoothly, with care, professionalism, a spirit of discovery and a great sense of fun. We thank them all, along with our board, artists, donors, project partners and our ever-enthusiastic audiences for accompanying us on this marvellous adventure.

06 › ANNUAL REPORT 2015 NEW WORK DEVELOPMENT

Separation Street is Polyglot’s new experiential theatre work for children and adults, created in collaboration with The Suitcase Royale and a team of celebrated independent artists.

Separation Street illuminates the relationships between adults and children, and explores notions of power and control, isolation and belonging. It tells the story of Frank, who hears a call from the stars and knows it’s his mission to save whoever is out there. In a simple but radical premise, the adults and children in the audience are separated at the beginning of the show.

Over three years, the work went through a series of development workshops where Polyglot collaborated with key groups including the Victorian College of the Deaf (VCD) and Currajong School. In 2015, students from Dinjerra, VCD, Westgarth and St Joseph’s Primary Schools took part in the final development workshop before its premiere season as part of the Melbourne Fringe Festival, presented by Darebin Arts’ Loud Mouth program.

LOCATIONS

» Dinjerra Primary School, Braybrook, 19 March

» Showcase Victoria, Hawthorn Arts Centre, 12 – 13 May

» Australian Performing Arts Centres Association Pitch, 19 August

» Development workshops, Northcote Town Hall, 10, 11 & 15 September

» Melbourne Fringe Festival, Northcote Town Hall, 19 September – 4 October

ARTISTS

Christian Bagin, Darryl Cordell, Kate Geck, Sue Giles, Tom Killen, Joseph O’Farrell, Steph O’Hara, Emily Tomlins, Richard Vabre, Glen Walton

PRODUCTION

Melissa Ho, Ashlee Hughes, Lindy Li Wan Po, Hannah Murphy, Rainbow Sweeny

13 PERFORMANCES

6 WORKSHOPS

665 AUDIENCE

PROJECT PARTNERS

Australia Council for the Arts, Besen Family Foundation, Darebin Arts’ Loud Mouth program, Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation, Robert Salzer Foundation and Polyglot’s Donate to Create Separation Street Appeal donors: Monica & Sam Abrahams, Simon Abrahams, Brett Adlington, Belinda Bowman, Beth Brown & Tom Bruce AM, Richard & Rei Burt, John & Diana Chew, Mish Eisen, Rev. Fr. Michael Elligate AM, Kirsty Ellem, Suzanne Farrell, Kathy Fox, Marliese French, Tom Gutteridge, Claire Haggan, Kylie Morrigan, Telia Nevile, Naomi Nicholson, Inbar Niv, Dr Angela O’Brien, Vanessa Pigrum, Rosalind Price, Ania Reynolds, Steven Richardson, Dr Richard Sallis, Greg Shalit & Miriam Faine, The Slome-Topol-Rosen Family Charitable Trust, Gail Southwell, Kate Taylor & Greg Ireton, Naomi Tippett AM, Anonymous (6)

Polyglot’s new works in development this year continued to expand and challenge the notions of theatre as we collaborated with international and local artists who brought innovative approaches to the Polyglot artistic process.

SEPARATION STREET

“It was so fun, and it really got my imagination buzzing.” – Sienna, 9 youtu.be z93R5u7fZRM

Green Room Award for Innovation in Contemporary Performance for Young People

NEW WORK DEVELOPMENT

ANNUAL REPORT 2015 › 07NEW WORK DEVELOPMENT

In 2015 we completed the first version of evaluation module Voice Lab. Voice Lab invites children to sit within a beautifully designed, serene space where they can be entirely alone.

In this space they have a conversation with Voice Lab – a computer generated voice driven by a live performer/facilitator that asks questions, encourages opinion and regards the child as an expert.

Voice Lab has opened up a very different sort of engagement with children – one where the conversation is detailed, interested and attentive. This has made a huge difference in the kind of information we can seek from children and returns power to children in the evaluation process.

LOCATION

» Victorian College of the Deaf, Melbourne, 13, 20, 27 February

ARTISTS

Nick Barlow, Lachlan MacLeod, Steph O’Hara

PRODUCTION

Rainbow Sweeny

3 WORKSHOPS

36 PARTICIPANTS

VOICE LAB

“Creativity is when you express your feelings and what you imagine – you express what you imagine and, um, you create something from your own imagination.” – Hasan, 12

youtu.be/q8dAslQGoPs

PROJECT PARTNERS

Gandel Philanthropy, Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation and Polyglot’s Voice Lab Appeal donors: Miss Betty Amsden AO, Sam Abrahams, Simon Abrahams, Nicole Beyer, Laura Colby, Dr Patricia Edgar AM, Ruth Giles, Damien Hodgkinson, Rhiannon Keen, Miriam Kuttner, Fiona Menzies, Avril McQueen, Dr Anne Myers, Imbi Neeme, Naomi Nicholson, Julian Pocock & Dr Fiona Wahr, Anna Schoo, Gail Southwell, Naomi Tippett AM, Clare Watson, Julia White, Anonymous (5)

08 › ANNUAL REPORT 2015 NEW WORK DEVELOPMENT

Boats is an adventurous Play Space for children of all ages, using colourful vessels to navigate urban seascapes.

At a central mooring place, large light-weight boats await patiently for children’s imagination and energy. Once aboard, the boats are propelled by a flurry of feet, with kids working as a crew to find their own path and voyage across the high seas.

As they journey, Polyglot artists float as castaways to be rescued or as mysterious elements of the deep blue sea. Together they guide the boats to safe harbour ready for new crew and the next adventure! Boats engages children in play that re-imagines the familiar and concrete into something far more flexible and fun.

In 2015, final development workshops took place with students from Dinjerra Primary School, followed by Boats’ premiere presentation at Federation Square, Melbourne.

LOCATIONS

» Dinjerra Primary School, Braybrook, 12 – 13 March, 3 June

» Federation Square, Melbourne, 7 – 12 July

ARTISTS

Christian Bagin, Christy Flaws, Sue Giles, Lachlan MacLeod, Jodee Mundy, Jacob Williams, Antonio Moreira, Hannah Murphy, Aseel Tayah

PRODUCTION

Michael Baxter, Mischa Long, Nick Barlow, Hannah Murphy, Rainbow Sweeny

6 PERFORMANCES

8 WORKSHOPS

3250 AUDIENCE

PROJECT PARTNERS

Boats was commissioned by Federation Square.

BOATS

youtu.be/cMx-io9qthE

ANNUAL REPORT 2015 › 09FEED THE ART

As a vital aspect of our collaborative approach to our work, we engage with kids in the development of our art, in company communications, documentation, online and in theatrical experiences.

Polyglot Inspiring People’s Society (PIPS) is a group of children who regularly feed into Polyglot’s new work development and provide us with an unedited child’s view and approach. In 2015 we held two PIPS days to incorporate their perspectives on three new creative concepts in development – Separation Street, Boats, and Voice Lab.

PIPS stands alongside our ongoing engagement with children for new work development in schools across Melbourne. In 2015 Polyglot worked with several Victorian schools including Victorian College for the Deaf as part of our Voice Lab development and the creative development of experiential theatre work Separation Street. The Currajong School helped our ‘Geek in Residence’ Tom Killen to develop a creative game for our website and Dinjerra Primary school gave us all we needed to explore our new Play Space work Boats. Other schools involved in Separation Street were St Joseph’s Primary School and Westgarth Primary School in Northcote.

Space To Play is Polyglot’s independent artist development program, supporting artists with free rehearsal space and mentorship in the creation of new work. We welcomed a range of artists through our Cromwell Road doors, supporting five projects across the year.

» February: Paul Casey

» September: About Face Productions

» October: Elbow Room

» November: Maude Davey

» December: Lemony S Productions

POLYGLOT INSPIRING PEOPLE’S SOCIETY

SPACE TO PLAY

FEED THE ART

USA

GERMANY

HONG KONG

SINGAPORE

KOREA

INDONESIA

NEW SOUTH WALES

VICTORIA

QUEENSLAND

UK

ABU DHABI

NORWAY

JAPAN

DENMARK

BRAZIL

MACAU

10 › ANNUAL REPORT 2015 TOURING REPERTOIRE

TOURING REPERTOIRE

In 2015, we travelled the globe to share our signature interactive theatre installations to inspire children of all ages and backgrounds.

We strengthened our collaborative relationships with international artists and presenters with a series of new development workshops and collaborative projects. Highlights included working with Papermoon Puppet Theatre in Indonesia, our Drawbridge project with Japanese music company Acchi Cocchi, and forging a new relationship in residence with Nucleo Dedalos Labirinto in Brazil.

2015 was also Polyglot’s busiest touring year on record. We proudly represented Australia in 12 countries as well as all over Australia. Touring highlights included Paper Planet at the SAND Festival, Norway, We Built This City in Abu Dhabi and Ants on the Gold Coast for Bleach Festival.

Polyglot maintained its investment in national and international market development through attending key events including the International Performing Arts for Youth (IPAY) conference in the USA, Krokus Festival in Hasselt, Belgium, Performing Arts Market Seoul (PAMS), the IETM Satellite Meeting in Korea and Shanghai Performing Arts Fair (SPAF) in China. Domestic networks were built through participation in APACA and Showcase Victoria.

Polyglot also had the opportunity to showcase key touring repertoire works at international markets: Ants at the IPAY conference in Pennsylvania and Paper Planet in the Fratz Festival in Berlin, where the Augenblik Mall! Festival and ASSITEJ Artistic Gathering drew in delegates from across the world.

USA

GERMANY

HONG KONG

SINGAPORE

KOREA

INDONESIA

NEW SOUTH WALES

VICTORIA

QUEENSLAND

UK

ABU DHABI

NORWAY

JAPAN

DENMARK

BRAZIL

MACAU

ANNUAL REPORT 2015 › 11TOURING REPERTOIRE

INTERNATIONAL ARTISTS IN PERFORMANCE

On each tour, we invite a local performer to join the performing team, offering us the opportunity for artistic exchange, familiarity with the local area, and language and cultural context to help the work reach our audiences in the best possible way. This practice also reduces our carbon footprint and expands our advocacy for children’s creative engagement with the arts.

So far, we have worked with local performers in the USA, UK, Norway, Japan, Indonesia, Korea, Singapore, Germany and Denmark. All our international artists have become friends and have given enormous value to our works while overseas.

TOURING PARTNERS

Australia Council for the Arts, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Australia-Japan Foundation, Australia-Indonesia Institute, Australian International Cultural Council.

12 › ANNUAL REPORT 2015 TOURING REPERTOIRE

Ants is an interactive engagement which has giant ants bringing children together in a gentle and highly unusual public landscaping project.

Faced with hundreds of giant bread crumbs and three big insects, the children are irresistibly drawn in and must figure out what the Ants want them to do.

Our activity this year illustrated the multiple performance contexts for this intriguing work.

LOCATIONS

» Bleach Festival, NSW & QLD 15 – 22 March

» IPAY, ArtsQuest – Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, USA, 7 – 10 August

16 PERFORMANCES

4736 AUDIENCE

PROJECT PARTNER

Ants was originally commissioned by Federation Square.

How High the Sky is an unforgettable theatre experience for adults and their pre-walking babies.

In a quiet cushioned space, using helium balloons, lighting and enveloping sound, a shifting world is created to draw attention to babies’ innate and instinctual appreciation of beauty, dynamic and tension.

In 2015, the work was presented internationally for the first time, proving its ability to universally touch audiences from all backgrounds, across cultural and language barriers.

LOCATIONS

» Macau Cultural Centre, Macau, 23 – 26 July

» Hong Kong International Arts Carnival, Hong Kong, 30 July – 2 August

8 PERFORMANCES

944 AUDIENCE

ANTS HOW HIGH THE SKY

youtu.be/uTsrJ_gspjwyoutu.be/2WsTu6y3rp0

TANGLE

“You got so tangled and it was funny! You got to tie people up and get really tangly.” – Jacarra, 10

PAPER PLANET

“The best thing is we got to use our imagination and wear paper!” – Ashley, 7

ANNUAL REPORT 2015 › 13TOURING REPERTOIRE

Paper Planet is a spectacular forest of tall cardboard trees inviting kids and adults to fill the world with fantastic paper creations.

The adaptability and flexibility of this performance was made apparent as the work appeared in all shapes and sizes from school workshops and residencies, to museums and public spaces all over the world in 2015.

LOCATIONS

» MPavilion, Melbourne, 6 – 11 January

» Festival Akoonah Park, Berwick, 21 March

» Fratz Festival, Berlin, Germany, 19 – 20 April

» International Children’s Theatre Festival, Cleveland, USA, 8 – 10 May

» Powerhouse Museum, NSW, 27 June – 12 July

» Bialik College, Melbourne, 29 – 30 July

» Arts Centre Melbourne, 29 September – 4 October

» SAND Festival, Kristiansand, Norway, 9 – 10 October

» Regional Library & Heritage Centre, Geelong, VIC, 28 – 29 November

51 PERFORMANCES

38,315 AUDIENCE

PROJECT PARTNERS

Australia Council for the Arts, Debbie Dadon

Paper Planet was originally commissioned by Federation Square.

Tangle is a grand-scale weaving Play Space event using coloured elastic to create an interactive live artwork, which turns into a jungle of stretchy entanglement.

Single strands connect as children busily work like spiders, ultimately creating a visual spectacular that grows with every audience. In 2015, this unique and visually beautiful work was presented across the world, including tours in the USA and UK.

LOCATIONS

» Mount Beauty Music Festival, Mount Beauty, VIC, 25 – 26 April

» Virginia Arts Festival, VA, USA, 2 – 3 May

» EQT Children’s Theatre Festival, Pittsburgh, USA, 14 – 18 May

» Greenwich and Docklands Festival, London, UK, 3 – 5 July

» City Festival, Leicester, UK, 24 – 26 August

» Hippodrome Dock, Birmingham, UK, 29 – 30 August

» Hull Freedom Festival, Hull, UK, 4 – 6 September

35 PERFORMANCES

10,087 AUDIENCE

PROJECT PARTNER

Australia Council for the Arts

We Built This City is a giant cardboard construction site which involves the whole family in building cities and towns of their own imagining.

Whether it be Australia or Abu Dhabi, each community creates their own architecture and play driven by the unforgettable fun of building with boxes. The simplicity of the task is its strength – this is un-prescribed play at its best. This work has proven the test of time, with two international tours taking place in 2015 – ten years since its premiere.

LOCATIONS

» Aprilfestival, Frederikssund, Denmark, 25 – 26 April

» NYU, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 8 – 17 October

11 PERFORMANCES

3455 AUDIENCE

PROJECT PARTNER

Australia Council for the Arts

WE BUILT THIS CITY PAPER PLANET TANGLE

youtu.be/Se8SlHnKXvc

youtu.be/xJG5_CGz3GI

youtu.be/BAYcG4cSkL8

14 › ANNUAL REPORT 2015 INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATION

The Drawbridge international project model continued in 2015 as Polyglot collaborated with Japanese music company Acchi Cocchi to present Kids are the Boss creative workshops with the community of the tsunami-impacted region of Minami Sanriku.

Focussing on the intergenerational connection between children and temporary housing residents in Minami Sanriku, the whole community worked together to create a work of art based on their shared childhood songs and games. Through design, music and comic book art, and using the traditional Japanese theatre artform of Komishibai, participants celebrated their shared experiences, reflecting the growth and resilience of their community. The final outcome of this work was the production of comic books in two languages that illustrate the journey of the project. These were given to all the people involved.

LOCATIONS

» Minami Sanriku, Japan, 25 May – 3 June

ARTISTS

Tomoya Aoki, Mikako Atsuchi, Bernard Caleo, Sue Giles, Danielle Goronszy, Izumi Kaneko, Steph O’Hara, Stephanie Robinson

PRODUCTION

Lang Craighill

3 PERFORMANCES

5 WORKSHOPS

375 AUDIENCE

PROJECT PARTNERS

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Australia-Japan Institute, Australian International Cultural Council, ANZ Japan

International and intercultural collaboration underpins the creation of works across all our program streams. Our artistic and cultural exchange projects open doors to new artistic forms, and broaden the cultural diversity in

our performer base by connecting us with new artists who share our passion and values. These collaborations also expand our horizons and contribute towards Polyglot’s sustainable future and continued artistic vibrancy.

DRAWBRIDGE

INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATION

“Thank you very much for the comic books. The picture of Mr. Yuhei, one of the teachers, on the seventh page made all the children amazed and laugh because the picture looked so much like Mr. Yuhei. All the children and staff went ‘Whoa!!’… We deeply appreciate everything you all have provided for us. And we truly look forward to your next visit.” – Mikako, Acchi Cocchi

Monotaro-v1-japanese.indd 1 11/01/2016 8:49:34 PM

ANNUAL REPORT 2015 › 15

Due to Polyglot’s experience in work for babies, Director Luiza Banov of Nucleo Dedalos Labirinto, invited us to collaborate on a creative process to make a new dance form for the very young.

Polyglot artists travelled to Piracicaba, Brazil and worked alongside and in consultation with her dance company for a two-week residency project.

LOCATION

» Piracicaba, Brazil, 25 November – 3 December

ARTISTS

Luiza Banov, Penny Baron, Ivy Calejon, Sue Giles

4 WORKSHOPS

42 PARTICIPANTS

INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATION

Our new theatre work in development, Cerita Anak (Child’s Story), took the creative collaboration between Polyglot and Papermoon Puppet Theatre to a new level in 2015.

Working with the Papermoon artists and the community of Lasem in Java, themes and symbols of boats and the sea were explored, as well as our approaches to play and interaction. The rich and dramatic mythical stories of the community were woven into the artistic development process which continues in 2016. Polyglot also worked with children from Dinjerra Primary School, hearing the stories told by children who have experienced sea journeys and dislocation first hand.

LOCATION

» Dinjerra Primary School, Braybrook, 12 – 13 March, 3 June

» Lasem, Java, Indonesia, 14 – 21 May

ARTISTS

Iwan Effendi, Anton Fajri, Sue Giles, Ria Tri Sulistyani, Anna Tregloan

PROJECT PARTNERS

Australia-Indonesia Institute of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

7 WORKSHOPS

322 PARTICIPANTS

CERITA ANAK (CHILD’S STORY)

RESIDENCY WITH NUCLEO DEDALOS LABIRINTO

youtu.be/Ivu8i7KFYGY

16 › ANNUAL REPORT 2015

KIDS’ COLLABORATIONS:

COMMUNITY

In 2015 Polyglot teamed up with Beyond Empathy to create and present Cubby House in the Illawarra region, presented by the Viva La Gong Festival.

This new participatory film and installation work is both for kids and led by kids. Armed with cardboard, masking tape and old sheets, children and their adults were invited to build the cubby house of their dreams.

LOCATIONS

» Wollongong Local Hall & Berkeley Housing Estate, Wollongong, 6 – 7 February; 8 – 10 October

» Merrigong Arts Centre, Wollongong, 12 November

» Viva La Gong, McCabe Park, Wollongong, 14 November

ARTISTS

Phil Crawford, Sue Giles, Kate Kantor, Jacob Williams

PRODUCTION

Lis Blake, Gemma Parsons, Tessa Parsons

KEY COLLABORATORS

Beyond Empathy and the children of the Illawarra region

1 PERFORMANCE

9 WORKSHOPS

1317 PARTICIPANTS

PROJECT PARTNER

Viva La Gong

CUBBY HOUSE

youtu.be/IVOzzWvWNCE

KIDS’ COLLABORATIONS: COMMUNITY

Our projects place Polyglot across the community, working in partnership with schools, social services, businesses, local councils, local artists and key advocates to build transformational arts projects.

At the centre is the mechanism of children’s play to connect individuals with their wider community through inclusive practice and real exchange between our artists and the project participants.

“I like it that we make it and then we can be in charge of all these

adults!” – Zoe, 9

ANNUAL REPORT 2015 › 17

In 2015, Polyglot worked with Shepparton mothers and their pre-school children from the newly-arrived Afghan community.

Using vibrantly coloured balls of elastic, mothers and their children shared knowledge, traditional crafts, stories and games with Polyglot artists to create a special, playful space for children and their families. Over five weeks, the women and children developed a series of artworks that reflected family, play, connection and culture, and presented the work in an interactive space at the Emerge Festival in Shepparton.

LOCATIONS

» Kildonan Uniting Care, Shepparton, 19 & 26 February; 5 & 12 March

» Emerge Festival, Shepparton, 21 March

ARTISTS

Julianne O’Brien, Tamara Rewse, Justine Warner, Manon Lechaux, Kate Kantor

PRODUCTION

Lis Blake, Rita Khayat

KEY COLLABORATORS

Emerge Festival, Shepparton, Kildonan Uniting Care, women of the Afghan community and their children

5 WORKSHOPS

243 PARTICIPANTS

PROJECT PARTNERS

Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation, Grosvenor Foundation, Victorian Women’s Benevolent Trust

Our second collaboration with Beyond Empathy took place in Moree, working alongside local Aboriginal artists Auntie Paula Duncan and Auntie Val Pitt.

These workshops spanned across two weekends and provided the building blocks for a major new Kids’ Collaboration work for 2017 – 2019 called First On The Ladder.

LOCATION

» Moree, NSW, 5 – 7 February; 6 – 8 November

ARTISTS

Anna Cater, Auntie Paula Duncan, Sue Giles, Kate Kantor, Ian Pidd, Auntie Val Pitt

PRODUCTION

Lis Blake, Kim McConville, Brodie Loren

KEY COLLABORATORS

Beyond Empathy and the children of Moree

2 WORKSHOPS

55 PARTICIPANTS

CREATIVE PLAY WORKSHOPS

TANGLE WEAVE

KIDS’ COLLABORATIONS: COMMUNITY

18 › ANNUAL REPORT 2015

Jump was a creative residency project between Polyglot Theatre and St Joseph’s Primary School, working with students to develop a short film responding to identity and change.

Collaborating, problem solving, and contributing to a collective work, students were responsible for a series of film activities that covered performance and post-production of their own film. As they discovered new skills and abilities, students built social-emotional skills, creativity and resilience. What resulted was a film created by students and presented to their peers, parents, friends and school community about transition, change, identity and friendship.

LOCATIONS

» St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, Collingwood, 15 April – 28 May; 3 – 26 June

» Collingwood Town Hall, 9 September

ARTISTS

Liam Gerner, Jason Heller, Kate Kantor

PRODUCTION

Lis Blake, Sarah McKenzie

15 WORKSHOPS

338 PARTICIPANTS

PROJECT PARTNERS

City of Yarra, Creative Victoria

In 2015, Polyglot road-tested 5678 Film Club with students at St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, Collingwood as a pilot program.

The success of this pilot has resulted in the development of a four-year film project starting in 2016, which will work with students as they move from primary to secondary school.

LOCATIONS

» St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, Collingwood, 4, 11, 18 & 25 November

ARTISTS

Kate Kantor, Jason Heller

PRODUCTION

Lis Blake

4 WORKSHOPS

120 PARTICIPANTS

PROJECT PARTNER

City of Yarra

JUMP 5678 FILM CLUB

youtu.be/ixQsjNToYkY

youtu.be/4C4_kQTKEmE

KIDS’ COLLABORATIONS: SCHOOLS

KIDS’ COLLABORATIONS:

SCHOOLS

“It woke up a part of myself I didn’t know was there.” – Johnny, 12

ANNUAL REPORT 2015 › 19

Our project with the Year 6 students for their graduation, Revolution of The Rise, culminated with a final spectacular performance devised and performed by the students themselves.

The students worked in film, music and circus to create a performance that celebrated the end of their primary years. It was a significant occasion for many of these children, as they may experience real challenges in transitioning to high school.

LOCATION

» Mahogany Rise Primary School, 20 – 27 November; 7 – 10 December

ARTISTS

Cleo Cutcher, Harriet Devlin, Nicolette Forte, Jason Heller, Kate Kantor

PRODUCTION

Lis Blake, Lexie Wood

18 WORKSHOPS

287 PARTICIPANTS

PROJECT PARTNERS

Mahogany Rise Primary School

The Year 5 and 6 students of Annunciation Catholic Primary School, Brooklyn (VIC) explored site-specific art as part of Polyglot’s Outside In residency.

Using the nearby wilderness of Newport Lakes as their canvas, the students worked with Polyglot artists to create and build an installation about their physical, spiritual and cultural relationship to nature.

Literally bringing the outside-in, children used performance, visual art, puppetry, film; referencing artists Andy Goldsworthy and Anna Marie Holm. Polyglot challenged the ‘nature-deficit’ disorder which many children experience in modern life through this unique hybrid approach of art-making.

LOCATION

» Annunciation Primary, Brooklyn, 21 – 29 July; 4 – 31 August; 1 – 4 September

ARTISTS

Jody Cleaver, Jason Heller, Kate Kantor, David Murphy, Stephanie Harrison, Bronwyn Pringle

PRODUCTION

Lis Blake, Lexie Wood

21 WORKSHOPS

660 PARTICIPANTS

PROJECT PARTNER

Victorian Government through Creative Victoria

MAHOGANY RISE – REVOLUTION OF THE RISE

OUTSIDE IN

KIDS’ COLLABORATIONS: SCHOOLS

“Dancing is really, really fun and a bit scary (but good) when you make it up yourself.” – Alyssa, 10

youtu.be/l7Q7KtFGQAA

youtu.be/jshy9_XFE-M

20 › ANNUAL REPORT 2015

At Polyglot, we create opportunities for children to ignite their imaginations through participation. In 2015, our workshop program facilitated 39 sessions in primary schools, high schools and community centres, as well as four specialist professional development workshops for teachers.

KIDS’ COLLABORATIONS: WORKSHOPS

“Polyglot’s workshop was a breath of fresh air – who knew students could be so charmed by newspaper? I watched disengaged students become thoughtful artists, and quiet students become leaders. The facilitators’ enthusiasm was infectious, and my students relished the opportunity to explore dramatic possibilities through play.” – Nick Tranter, Drama Teacher, Brunswick Secondary College

KIDS’ COLLABORATIONS:

WORKSHOPS

Our workshops provide a structured creative experience where children are encouraged to think divergently, discover the joy of making and creating, and jump into devising and performing. Our professional development workshops provide teachers with a foundation to facilitate these creative activities and principles to apply in the classroom.

WORKSHOPS PRESENTED IN 2015

» Shadow Tricks: Ivanhoe Girls Grammar School Incinerator Art Gallery – Moonee Ponds

» Forest Feast: Chadstone Shopping Centre Roola Boola – City of Stonnington Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre – Southbank

» Sound of Drawing: Geelong Performing Arts Centre Lucknow Primary School – Bairnsdale St Leonards Primary School – Brighton East Newport Lakes Primary School

» Junk Puppets: Heatherhill Primary School – Springvale

» Kite Face Workshop: Edwardes Park Lake – Reservoir

» Paper and Tape: One World Children’s Centre – Geelong Wonthaggi Library Warringal Park – Heidelberg Caulfield Grammar School Essendon Primary School

» Paper Planet: Casey Children’s Festival Bialik College – Hawthorn East

» PD Workshop: Leongatha Child Care Centre Connie Benn Centre – Fitzroy

» Puppetry: Camberwell Grammar School

» Robot Heads: Glen Eira Party in the Park

39 WORKSHOPS

4 PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOPS

5883 PARTICIPANTS

ANNUAL REPORT 2015 › 21

Since 2009 Polyglot has commissioned independent evaluation from academics Victoria Stead, Dr James Oliver and Dr Ricci Jane Adams, resulting in 13 reports encompassing school residencies, community projects, theatre performances, workshops and one overarching evaluation for an entire year of the company’s activities. The findings in these have led to significant internal change.

Through the evaluative journey around our work, its impact and its efficacy, it has become clear that Polyglot’s approach to embedded creative evaluation is inventive and unique. This is a pioneering direction to which Polyglot is committing resources and time, to ensure its success.

Dr Ricci-Jane Adams delivered two evaluation reports in 2015 for projects Jump and Outside In. These evaluations focused on the following outcome areas:

1. Improvement in creative confidence, skill and expression;

2. Increase in communication skills and the ability to work in a team;

3. The ability to accept challenges and take risks;

4. Increase in community awareness of young people’s creative capacities.

EVALUATION

EVALUATION

The stakeholders of the projects were consulted on defining their own expectations and needs through Jump and Outside In. The findings and recommendations of these evaluations will strongly influence Polyglot’s work and processes into the future.

Alongside academic evaluation, Polyglot invites critical appraisal from our peers and the wider industry through a range of qualitative and quantitative evaluation approaches. Our ongoing audience surveys are accessible online and in person at all Polyglot performances, and in 2015 Polyglot collected feedback from over 500 participants internationally.

polyglot.org.au/artistic/evaluations/

22 › ANNUAL REPORT 2015 ARTISTIC LEADERSHIP

ARTISTIC LEADERSHIP

Sue’s role with ASSITEJ has enabled her to create stronger pathways for artists working in theatre for young audiences in Australia, connecting the national centre of ASSITEJ (Young People and The Arts, Australia) to Theatre Network Australia, and advocating for Australian theatre for young audiences at forums overseas.

2015 saw Polyglot’s leadership firmly established both nationally and internationally with the appointment

of Viv Rosman in the position of Executive Producer. With a background in producing and general management for leading national organisations and festivals, as well as serving on the boards of Theatre Network NSW and Shopfront Youth Arts, Viv is well-placed to support the rapid growth of Polyglot and expansion into new markets.

ASSITEJ International activity is supported by The Betty Amsden Trust.

Recognised internationally as a leader in children’s theatre through her appointment to the Executive Committee of the International Association of Theatre for Children and Young People (ASSITEJ), Polyglot’s Artistic Director Sue Giles attended ASSITEJ meetings in Norway and Berlin in 2015.

ANNUAL REPORT 2015 › 23POLYGLOT’S CIRCLE

POLYGLOT’S CIRCLE

We successfully ran two appeals in 2015, including a matched funding campaign supported by Creative Partnerships Australia’s Plus1 program – doubling our funds to raise over $30,000 to develop new work Cerita Anaka (Child’s Story) with Indonesia’s Papermoon Puppet Theatre.

INSPIRING donors

» Miss Betty Amsden AO

Miss Betty Amsden AO is Patron of Polyglot’s Circle

» Debbie Dadon

EMPOWERING donors

» John & Diana Chew

» Maryanne Lynch & Peter Cotton

» Robyn, Steph and Matt Hale in memory of Geoff Hale

» Greg Shalit & Miriam Faine

» Kate Taylor & Greg Ireton

» Naomi Tippett AM

» Anonymous

ENCOURAGING donors

» Monica & Sam Abrahams

» Simon Abrahams

» Penelope Bartlau

» John Bowman

» Angela Campbell & Tom Gutteridge

« Belinda & John Fogarty

» Tim & Lynne Sherwood

» The Slome-Topol-Rosen Family Charitable Trust

» Julian Pocock & Dr Fiona Wahr

SHARING donors

» Burt-Chew family

» Kirsty Ellem

» Rev Fr Michael Elligate AM

» Kathy Fox

» Dr Angela O’Brien

» Vanessa Pigrum

» Rosalind Price

» Viv Rosman

» Anonymous (3)

POLYGLOT’S CIRCLE DONORS IN 2015 The donors that form Polyglot’s Circle are vitally important advocates and friends of the organisation, led by our patron and leading philanthropist, Miss Betty Amsden AO.

“Philanthropy, giving, donating, no matter how big or small, brings a variety of benefits. You are demonstrating what you value and supporting your vision for the community. I support Polyglot’s work for the future of Australian children and the development of the next generation of artists and art lovers.” – Miss Betty Amsden AO, Patron of Polyglot’s Circle

24 › ANNUAL REPORT 2015 THANK YOU

THANK YOU

Thank you to all of our artists and production teams. We couldn’t do any of this work without you.

Our key collaborators this year: the staff and kids of Currajong Primary School; Dinjerra Primary School; Mahogany Rise PS; Monterey Secondary College; St Joseph’s PS Collingwood; Victorian College for the Deaf; Westgarth PS; St Joseph’s PS, Northcote. The children of Lasem, Indonesia, and the children of Iriya Elementary and nurseries, Natari, Shizugawa Isatome and the elderly residents of temporary housing at Tokura and Heisei no mori in Minami Sanriku, Japan.

The wonderful PIPS: Alice, Allegra, Archie, Coco, Daniel, Dante, Evie, Hal, Hugo, Jarvis, Jonah, Leo, Louis, Louka, Mia, Mikela, Nate, Nina, Orla, Rei, Romeo, Stella, Stan, Theo, Tom.

Polyglot’s Board: Our dedicated Chair, Tom Gutteridge, and amazing board – Mario Agostinoni, Belinda Bowman, Kathy Fox and Dr Mark Williams; as well as outgoing board members in 2015 – Vanessa Pigrum, Tim Woods, Dr Angela O’Brien and Sarah Bolton.

Polyglot’s 2015 Artistic Catalyst Group: Jeremy Gaden, Anna Tregloan and Julianne O’Brien.

Thanks to:Dr Ricci-Jane Adams, Frankie Airey, Miss Betty Amsden AO, Mikoto Araki, Lee Hyun Sil (Zoe Jones), Jelly Cao, our interns Hannah Murphy, Melissa Ho and Manon Lechaux, Michael Baxter, Jeff Busby, Paul Gurney, Damien Hodgkinson, Ashlee Hughes, Leonie Hurry, ‘Geeks in Residence’ Tom Killen and Kate Gek, James Lipari, Jan Panettieri, Izzutul Sumono, Tracy Steward, Genevieve Timmons, Naomi Tippett AM, Ann Tonks, Meg Upton and Sarah Walker.

Alan Dredge Chartered Accountant, Berry Street, Creative Partnerships Australia, Darebin Arts, Elsie Management, Federation Square, Fracht Melbourne, Inkburn Printing, Melbourne Knowledge Week, Platinum Travel, Philanthropy Australia, Regional Arts Victoria, Studio Binocular, Theatre Network Australia and Umbershoot Films.

Polyglot acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders are Australia’s first peoples and the traditional owners and custodians of the lands on which we work. We pay our respects and give thanks to elders past and present.

Polyglot could not create our work without the vital contribution of all the children and adults who participated in our creative processes. We extend our greatest appreciation and thanks to those individuals and groups, as well as everyone who created, played, made and explored new artistic horizons with us in 2015.

Polyglot Theatre is assisted by the Australian Government through the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body, the Victorian Government through Creative Victoria, City of Melbourne and City of Stonnington.

ANNUAL REPORT 2015 › 25FUNDING PARTNERS

FUNDING PARTNERS

Thank you to all our government, philanthropic and corporate partners.

» Colorific Storage Facilities » Smart Records Group

SUPPORTERS

TRIENNIAL PARTNERS

Lucas Dental Care

SPONSORS

PHILANTHROPIC PARTNERS

THE BETTY AMSDEN TRUST

GOVERNMENT PROJECT PARTNERS

26 › ANNUAL REPORT 2015 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

ABN 86 099 894 147STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2015

INCOME 2015 $

2014 $

Grants

Government Funding 706,742 596,101

Philanthropic Organisations 134,085 237,370

Other Grants 76,774 –

Total Grants Income 917,601 833,471

Other Earned Income

Performance and Audience Sales 776,093 366,224

Resources Income 74,937 37,916

Sponsorship and Fundraising 80,421 50,605

Business Related Income 12,833 14,241

Total Other Earned Income 944,284 468,986

TOTAL INCOME 1,861,885 1,302,457

EXPENSES 2015 $

2014 $

Wages and On-costs

Artistic and Production 531,275 286,580

Administration 598,122 547,224

Total Wages and On-costs 1,129,397 833,804

Other Expenses

Production Costs 478,027 229,660

Marketing and Promotion 90,838 104,075

Administration Costs 118,175 112,378

Total Other Expenses 687,040 446,113

TOTAL EXPENSES 1,816,437 1,279,917

SURPLUS (DEFICIT) FOR THE YEAR 45,448 22,540

ANNUAL REPORT 2015 › 27FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2015

2015 $

2014 $

Assets

Current Assets

Cash and Cash Equivalents 718,343 715,179

Other Current Assets 99,392 137,139

Total Current Assets 817,735 852,318

Non-Current Assets

Property, Plant and Equipment 45,059 13,881

Total Non-Current Assets 45,059 13,881

TOTAL ASSETS 862,794 866,199

Liabilities

Current Liabilities

Trade and Other Payables 97,000 127,330

Provisions 48,484 51,321

Other Current Liabilities 401,953 419,124

Total Current Liabilities 547,437 597,775

Non-Current Liabilities

Provisions 4,719 3,234

Total Non-Current Liabilities 4,719 3,234

TOTAL LIABILITIES 552,156 601,009

NET ASSETS 310,638 265,190

Equity

Retained Earnings 310,638 265,190

TOTAL EQUITY 310,638 265,190

Talk with us—

Polyglot Theatre27a Cromwell RoadSouth Yarra VIC 3141

—+61 3 9826 3301

info@polyglot.org.auwww.polyglot.org.au

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