Merrigong Theatre Company has today announced the full lineup of independent artist projects in the 2022 MERRIGONGX Artists’ Program, with 17 artists and groups receiving financial, technical, marketing and artistic support to bring new performance works to life.
MERRIGONGX is the independent artist program of Merrigong Theatre Company – Wollongong’s professional theatre company, and represents a significant career pathway for emerging artists and arts practitioners, with each of the 17 projects including artists with a connection to the Illawarra region.
The 2022 MERRIGONGX program features seven independent productions across an exciting range of contemporary performance styles including Lisa Maris Mcdonell‘s The Lobster – $20 Commission Project, Dear Diary by Kay Proudlove, Elsie for Vestri by Alicia Battestini, uNCOILED eXposed by AUSTI Dance and Physical Theatre, Sorry, Sorry, Sorry by Applespiel, Mount Hopeless by Tom Hogan and Elana Stone, and UFO by Kirby Medway and Soloman Thomas.
Audiences also have the chance to engage with new works in development, with showings of works currently in development from playwright Kirli Saunders, The Strangeways Ensemble, and aXis by Circus Monoxide.
Behind the scenes developments include works by local artists Catherine McKinnon, Frumpus, Rose Maher, Emma Saunders, Intransit.Co, Neisha Murphy and Rocking Hoist.
The MERRIGONGX program also sees the return of Merrigong’s regular scratch nights Made From Scratch (where artists and performers are supported to try out new work), as well as the Merrigong & SCWC Playwrights’ Program, an on-going development program for writers.
Additional power to support artists is being placed in the audience’s hands – with every public performance operating on a ‘Pay What You Feel’ basis. With no set ticket price, audience members can reserve their spot for free, and choose their own financial contribution after they’ve seen the show, with no minimum or maximum contribution. Artists’ fees are, however, guaranteed by Merrigong, so audience members can reward artists by contributing more, but remain confident that
artists will be appropriately paid regardless.
“Through our MERRIGONGX program we provide a range of opportunities for artists. Everything from full scale productions to creative residencies, as well as platform opportunities for local artists.” Said Simon Hinton, Artistic Director / CEO of Merrigong Theatre Company.
“Here at Merrigong, we’re focused on connecting community and artists, and …. strengthening both. Nowhere is this more evident than in our MERRIGONGX program.”
Leland Kean, Artistic Development Manager at Merrigong Theatre Company said, “This years’ MERRIGONGX program is really diverse, from multimedia to circus to dance to live music … it represents not only the diverse artists that live within the Illawarra, but also the diverse artforms. It really is the genesis of what we create here at Merrigong Theatre Company.”
http://Merrigong.com.au/merrigongx