Artistic Director’s <strong>Report</strong><strong>2004</strong> was a year of new opportunities at <strong>Queensland</strong> <strong>Theatre</strong><strong>Company</strong>. My fifth season with the <strong>Company</strong> focused on ourcontinuing commitment to the development of creative talentincluding writers, actors and directors. While special fundingfor our Emerging Artists’ Program came to an end, we werepleased to continue this program with two ensemble actorsand two associate directors.We continued our innovative regional partnerships program,working with artists in Bundaberg, Cairns, Clermont, Mackay,Toowoomba, Townsville, Sunshine Coast and surroundingdistricts. We were thrilled to develop a new partnership withWestern Cape College in Weipa. In <strong>2004</strong> we collaboratedfor the first time with regional theatre company HotHouse<strong>Theatre</strong> to produce one of our hit seasons of the year, EatingIce Cream With Your Eyes Closed.Our nine play mainstage program promised ‘live action’which we delivered in a year of unpredictable theatre.The year took off with a laugh with The Real InspectorHound/Black Comedy double bill, closely followed bySteve Martin’s adaptation of The Underpants. Partnershipswith the ENERGEX Brisbane Festival and QPAC provided anopportunity for a lavish production of the Australian classicmusical, The Venetian Twins. Proof and Copenhagen oneafter the other delivered a maths/science theme and theproduction of The Cherry Orchard provoked audiences andcritics to reconsider this classic in its centenary year. Theyear ended on a thought-provoking and rather solemn notewith God is a DJ and the chilling Far Away.My thanks go to Chair Dr Kate Foy and the Board membersfor their continued support and contribution; the <strong>Company</strong>’sloyal and dedicated staff and all of the artists who workedwith the <strong>Company</strong> during the year. Thanks also goes to theState and Federal Governments, particularly The Hon AnnaBligh MP for her recognition of the <strong>Company</strong>’s needs. Therehas also been excellent support from the corporate sectorwho recognise that great theatre makes <strong>Queensland</strong> anattractive place to do business.Finally, I’d like to thank the audiences who support the<strong>Company</strong> and its artists by attending our productions in suchnumbers. In <strong>2004</strong>, the <strong>Company</strong> played to almost 93,000people throughout the State, and many more engagedwith the company through our education and accessprograms. We endorse our commitment to the audiencesin our strategic plan and in our values. We will continue toentertain, challenge and strive to continue providing greattheatre for our audiences.Michael GowArtistic DirectorWe are always seeking to provide a career path for the trulytalented individual. In this way we build for the future. In<strong>2004</strong> <strong>Queensland</strong> <strong>Theatre</strong> <strong>Company</strong> provided 553 creativepositions to freelance theatre practitioners, of which 521were <strong>Queensland</strong> residents. We employed two full-timeactors and two full-time directors. We commissioned DavidBrown, the writer of Eating Ice Cream With Your Eyes Closed,and identified and developed the winning script for The<strong>Queensland</strong> Premier's Drama Award - <strong>Theatre</strong> and PublicLife, Mano Nera, by Adam Grossetti.The <strong>Company</strong>’s Youth & Education program presented85 performances in regional <strong>Queensland</strong>. The Brisbanecomponent of this program connected with over 10,000young <strong>Queensland</strong>ers. When mainstage and regionalproduction attendances are taken into account, over 26,000school age children accessed the program in <strong>2004</strong>. EdOnline, a web based program introduced in 2002, providedalmost 800 students with the opportunity to speak withartists and discuss productions online.A n n u a l R e p o r t7
Board of Directors and StaffPATRONHer Excellency Ms Quentin Bryce, ACGovernor of <strong>Queensland</strong>BOARD OF DIRECTORSDr Kate Foy (Chair)Debra Bennett-McLeanAngela BetzienHaydon Coles (from 26 August <strong>2004</strong>)Caroline DunphyWendy Edmond (from 26 August <strong>2004</strong>)Professor Glyn Davis (until 14 December <strong>2004</strong>)Barton Green (Deputy Chair)David Harrison (until 25 August <strong>2004</strong>)Barbara HoulihanTerry O’DwyerSimon PorterKevin Radbourne (until 25 August <strong>2004</strong>)Peter Bridgman State Government Representative (from 01 March <strong>2004</strong>)Marg O’Donnell State Government Representative (until 28 February <strong>2004</strong>)ARTISTIC DIRECTORMichael GowGENERAL MANAGERLibby AnstisExecutive AssistantKatie CumminsArtistic Development ManagerArtistic Development CoordinatorAssociate DirectorsFabienne TemplemanUrsula DauthLeticia CáceresJean-Marc Russ<strong>2004</strong> Ensemble Rebecca MurphyLucas StibbardCorporate Development ManagerCorporate Development CoordinatorJulie WoodwardJulian ConaghanYouth & Education ManagerLinda PageEducation Liaison Officer David Armstrong (from 12 July <strong>2004</strong>)**On secondment from Education <strong>Queensland</strong>8A n n u a l R e p o r t
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