Caretaker of Lost Selves
Breaksea are thrilled to announce that funding has been secured to continue our work with the community in 2021, culminating in the Breaksea Festival, October /November 2021. Breaksea are grateful for the generous support from the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries, Lotterywest, Regional Arts WA and the City of Albany. We are looking for people interested in participating in the development, production and performance of a new work, Caretaker of Lost Selves, which will be one part of the Breaksea Festival. This is a fantastic opportunity for emerging artists and community members to work with the creative team who brought you Pilgrims of the Sea, the Kawaar project and By Other Eyes. The work features professional and community actors, dancers and singers. Mutli-media elements of art, cinematic projections and shadow puppetry will bring this new work to life, with a very unique personality.
“We are delighted to invite singers, dancers and anyone interested in working on the production team to join us in a series of workshops and rehearsals for the Caretaker of Lost Selves, leading to two performances in November. “ Breaksea Artistic Director Matt RJ Ward.
Breaksea are an extraordinary collection of Great Southern and Perth based artists who are committed to supporting creativity in the community. Artists working with the Breaksea team this year include artistic director Matt RJ Ward with Pia Harris, Jonathan Brain, Rachel Colmer, Tim Dunn, choreographer/dancer Rita Corbussen, filmmaker Rob Castiglione with a wonderful group of emerging artists and community members.
Caretaker of Lost Selves explores the idea that through life, we forget aspects of ourselves, from the creative spark to the ability to laugh. Reconnecting with these elements of the lost self can be an important part of rebuilding our sense of place in the world. As a performance work, Caretaker of Lost Selves suggests that when we “lose” parts of ourselves, they are not in fact gone, but have been collected by a special caretaker, who in time makes steps to reunite them with their owner.
Rehearsals will occur between October and November 2021. Download full schedule here.
Expressions of interest to join the choir or dance group led by choreographer Rita Bush will be open until the end of September 2021. Download the information in pdf form here.
How to Register
Fill out the Registration Form and then head to the second link to offer your participation fee.
NOTE: Places are limited so please submit these ASAP to ensure your place in the project.
Registration & Consent Form
https://eaecu.au1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_dm98yqpJQwVao3I
There will be a sliding scale participation fee this year. Please speak with us if this creates an obstacle as we are happy to negotiate :)
Participation Fee (community participants)
https://www.trybooking.com/BOXQD
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.
View from the Magpie's Nest is 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:
