09.12.21
My name is Imogen and I’m the Senior Producer here at Griffin. I’m one of the less romantic (unless you’re into admin, in which case I’m one of the most romantic) figures behind the shows you see at Griffin–I spend a lot of time with spreadsheets and schedules and the like to bring our new Australian works to the stage. You might have seen me around the foyer of the SBW Stables Theatre or in foyer across any of the Sydney theatres–one of the best parts of my job is seeing all the amazing work artists are making, for casting and for programming. Before 2020, I usually averaged around 200 shows a year. In the last two years… let’s just say I’ve been catching up on a few more films lately.
But not this month! We have two amazing shows for you to catch this week before they close on Saturday December 11. It’s been a complete and utter joy to finally share Kendall Feaver’s extraordinary Wherever She Wanders with audiences and to bring Suzie Miller’s tour de force Prima Facie back for a triumphant return season. The last few months have seen a lot of spreadsheets and a lot of schedules, with lockdown throwing a spanner in the works for these two shows back in June, and I’m in constant awe of the cast, creatives, crew and Griffin staff for getting them back on stage. It’s taken a mammoth effort from everyone and it is worth it a million times over–if you haven’t seen them yet, you’ve got just a couple of chances left to see what I mean.
One of the other best parts of my job is programming, and working with our brilliant artistic team of Declan, Tessa and Andrea to put together our season. We’re so thrilled to have shared our 2022 season with you last month and it’ll be upon us before you know it. Now is the time to book your subscription for this incredible collection of new work to get the best prices, make the most of the excellent subscriber perks and automatically go in the running for our Super Big Win when you subscribe before 24 December. Our Box Office will be open until 3pm on Christmas Eve so if you are scrambling for last minute Christmas gifts for your nearest and dearest (cf: me, every year), I highly recommend a year’s worth of new Australian stories in the form of a Griffin Gift Certificate.
Last week we wrapped up two major parts of our artist development programs, spending the week with our 2021 Studio Artists workshopping their projects and hearing some new and exciting works in progress on Sunday night at Griffin Scratch. I love working with artists–it’s the reason I’m a producer–and I feel very lucky to work with the astonishing artists in the Griffin family. Programs like Studio and Scratch are a vital part of getting great new plays to the stage, and the talent on display last week was off the charts. Thank you to all who came along to check out Griffin Scratch, and to our Studio and Scratch artists for creating and sharing some truly beautiful works in a year to be reckoned with—supported by our wonderful family of passionate donors!
That’s it from me–I have to run into a meeting for our remount of Green Park in January at Sydney Festival. If I don’t see you in a foyer sometime soon, maybe I’ll see you in the park?
À bientôt, à la prochaine,
Imogen x
