Past Projects
Caretaker Of Lost Selves
Octagon Theatre, University of Western Australia
Saturday 2nd April 2022 | 4pm & 7pm
She is the one no one notices, a giant, yet invisible. She follows strangers of all kinds, collecting the lost selves they discard, simply forget or unknowingly lose. You cannot recognise her until you see your lost self cradled in her hand.
A magical multi-arts experience where true stories weave a mysterious tapestry featuring projected visual art, dance, choral singing and live music. Breaksea were pleased to partner with the University of Western Australia's Conservatorium of Music to share the joy of creativity in communities. The cast featured internationally acclaimed soprano Pia Adriana Harris, UWA music students, community performers & young talent, supported by Breaksea’s Youth Mentorship Program
Text & lyrics by: Matt Ward, Tim Dunn, Jessica Ruggera, Jen Mitchell, Rachael Colmer and participants of the Great Southern.
Music by ~ Jonathan Brain
Directed by ~ Matt Ward
Choreography by ~ Rita Bush
Scenic art by ~ Jen Mitchell & Mel Daw
Costumes ~ Michelle Ward
Projection Artist ~ Roly Skender
Cast: Tim Dunn, Rita Bush, Pia Harris, Jonathan Brain, Rachael Colmer, Imogen Taylor, Carmen Fasolo, with local community performers.
Image credit : Hedwork Digital
Caretaker of Lost Selves was created in 2021 supported by the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries, Lotterywest, Regional Arts WA, City of Albany’s Vancouver Arts Centre, Albany Entertainment Centre, Let’s Shine (Albany Light Opera & Theatre Co.) and Peter Watson.
The Nest
A Community Sculpture
Exhibition October 29-November 26 2021
Albany Entertainment Centre
Exploring the question, "How do you find your sense of home?" Breaksea artists, led by Jen Mitchell created a community sculpture as part of the 2021 Breaksea Festival. This interactive, community-built artwork was exhibited and interacted with at the Albany Entertainment Centre with schools participating from Denmark to Bremer Bay.
Watch artist Jen Mitchell introduce the project.
Breaksea at the Rechabite
Breaksea Youth Mentorship
2021 Showcase
Breaksea @ The Rechabite was the culmination of the exceptional community engagement work of the Breaksea team and their successful youth mentorship program. The show was a vital component of the emergence of Breaksea, and the support and promotion of its professional and youth artists at the various stages of their careers.
Review by David Cusworth, The West Australian
Mon, 9 August 2021
“Soulful country sounds, an ethereal choir and sublime opera highlights lit up The Rechabite on Saturday with a Breaksea singing festival from the heart of the Great Southern. The theme was mentoring in music, a program Breaksea runs across the South and South West, with two standout successes to celebrate. Bonnie Staude, a first-year classical voice student at WAAPA, and Jarrad Inman, a band-leading vocalist, had each landed a first professional opera gig: Staude with Freeze Frame in Puccini’s Angels and Demons this month at the Claremont Showgrounds; and Inman with West Australian Opera at The Maj for Noongar premiere Koolbardi wer Wardong in October. They were backed by Albany musicians Gus Moir on guitar, Katy Anderson on bass, drummer Josh Marshall and vocalist Ivy Moir, plus pianist Marilyn Phillips. Aquinas College Schola Choir opened the bill, a cappella and in darkness, intoning Prince’s When Doves Cry.
It was a numinous moment to calm the crowd before Inman cut in with indie-style vocals and a whole lot of front. The group on stage were aged 15-20, with the choir in the stalls even younger, rendering Schola director Hugh Lydon’s arrangement with aplomb. Staude joined her mentor Harris in Delibes’ Flower Duet from Lakme, deftly blending vocal quality and expression, with effortless timing in the reprise. Cast and choir combined in Brain and Ward’s Horizon, the fresh voice of the regions expressed through two dozen city kids and their country cousins; then amplified by the band for Cream’s White Room, Inman igniting a rock classic as the band went off and the Schola boys held their poise.”
Image credit : Manolo Media
View from the Magpie's Nest
A new dance work in six parts by Naomi Lake and Jonathan Brain, choreographed by Emily O'Brien.
A Breaksea commission as part of the View from the Magpie's Nest 2021 Festival. “As the sun rises over Middleton Beach, the morning warble of the magpies can be heard. High above the ground, in the branch of a Norfolk Pine, sits a lonely, young magpie. She is searching for a mate and dreaming of a family of her own”
Story by ~ Naomi Lake
Music by ~ Jonathan Brain
Choreography ~ Emily O’Brien and Rita Cobussen
Performed by the Let’s Shine (ALOTCo) disability performance group.
Project facilitated by Janet McArtney with writing mentorship by Dianne Wolfer.
Image credit : Hedwork Digital
View from the Magpie's Nest was made possible by the support of the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries, Lotterywest, Regional Arts WA, City of Albany’s Vancouver Arts Centre, Albany Entertainment Centre, Let’s Shine (Albany Light Opera & Theatre Co.) and Peter Watson.
Breaksea Film Art Trail
Breaksea presented an innovative Film Art Trail! Exploring some of Albany's most loved and iconic premises. QR codes were displayed on exquisite posters, encouraging patrons to scan & watch the wonderful films celebrating the richness of Great Southern artists and culture.
The Breaksea Film Art Trail was available to explore between the 4-31 July in venue, however is now online for you to view.
Image credit : Rob Castiglione
Produced by Breaksea with support from:
View from the Magpie's Nest
September - December 2020
Great Southern , WA
Great Southern artists of all disciplines and backgrounds were invited to join this project. The Creative Team who brought you Pilgrims of the Sea, The Vancouver Street Festival Noongar Song Project and By Other Eyes created a new work in 2020.
An experienced and talented collection of artists including Matt Ward, Rachael Colmer, Jonathan Brain, Pia Harris, Rob Castiglione, Mand Marky, Rita Bush, Eliza Woods and Jon Doust ran workshops in creative devising through stories, singing, movement and visual arts.
Workshops focussing on developing skills in creative devising and learning how a new work is created was offered to total beginners, experienced or aspiring artists.
Experienced creatives worked alongside an experienced team of theatre practitioners, and community members in the Great Southern, to shape a new work based on stories of culture, identity, diversity and collaboration.
“Our new creative development comes from a number of years of conversations with the Breaksea team, and from a very personal place for me. I believe through creative processes like this, empathy can be established between participants, and by sharing performances with the community, this can flow on into the community.” - Rachael Colmer
“This project brings together some top local artists with experts with performance experience in London, New York, Sydney and Melbourne. Being able to create a new community performance work collectively is a great way to develop skills and create a positive shared future in our beautiful Great Southern.” - Matt Ward
Details
The project occurred between September and December 2020 and workshops were held via zoom and in Albany, Denmark and Mount Barker. The project culminated in a public showing of selected scenes from the new work at the Albany Entertainment Centre in collaboration with WA Opera artists, the Kidogo Arthouse Fremantle and in Denmark, WA. View from the Magpie’s Nest is produced by Breaksea, supported by the City of Albany’s Vancouver Arts Centre, West Australian Opera, Denmark Arts, the Department of Local Government, Sport & Cultural Industries and Regional Arts WA.
Artists
Matt Ward – Artistic Director/Producer
Rachael Colmer – Devising Director
Jonathan Brain – Music Director
Eliza Woods – Consulting Noongar Elder
Rob Castiglione – Film maker
Pia Harris – Voice teacher & Youth Mentorship Coordinator
Marianthe Loucataris – Production Management
Jon Doust – Creative Writing Guest Workshop Leader
Jen Mitchell - Visual Artist
Rita Bush – Dance Guest Workshop Leader
Breaksea Singing Festival
Kidogo Arthouse, Fremantle
December 2020
By Other Eyes
Albany, 2018
Kawaar
Vancouver Street Festival
Albany | May 2018
Resonating Stories, Shining Songs
Joondalup Festival
February 2019
Shoal
Albany & Fremantle
2019
Pilgrims Of The Sea
Albany, August 2017
Drift