18.08.22
Dear Grif-friend,
Well, well, WELL. What a week to be writing the Griffin News note! It’s been an exciting time to be a Griff and it’s such a privilege to be sharing all our news with our extended Grif-family! I’m Ell and I’m the Relationships Manager here at Griffin. The last time I wrote this note we were in an extended lockdown, but now we are about to open another new Australian play, launch our 2023 Season and become owners of the theatre we’ve called home for the past 40 years. A refreshing change of pace!
Tomorrow, we preview Dylan Van Den Berg’s play Whitefella Yella Tree. Dylan developed his script over his time as a Griffin Studio artist in 2021 and it’s incredible to see this work come to life. Dylan follows an impressive list of Studio artists who have seen their work on the SBW Stables stage: Meyne Wyatt, Suzie Miller and Phil Spencer to name a few. The finishing touches of Mason Browne’s gorgeous set are being put in place and we look forward to audiences falling in love with Guy Simon and Callan Purcell’s performances, as we already have.
The biggest headline this week was that the Neilson Foundation has made a game-changing donation of $5 million to Griffin, paving the way for Griffin to purchase the SBW Stables Theatre and adjacent terrace and embark upon a major redevelopment. The purchase follows the announcement of successful creative capital funding from the NSW Government. This funding requires us to raise matched funding dollar-for-dollar, so we will be embarking upon an ambitious Capital Campaign to ensure our beloved Stables Theatre gets the much needed facelift it deserves. This includes a lift, a much-needed rehearsal room, and comfier seats!
Griffin is going through an incredible time of change, and you are a massive part of that. Your love for new Australian writing is what motivates us, and we look forward to providing artists and patrons with a space they truly deserve. Above all, we pledge to always remain truly “Griff” and keep the heart of your beloved theatre on the hill intact.
With care,
Ell
Ell Katte
Relationships Manager
