01.06.21
Hi, my name is Rebecca and I’m the Marketing Assistant here at Griffin and I love my job. Let me tell you a little about myself: I am one of three girls, I’m the middle child specifically and yes, I can confirm I do have middle child syndrome, but hey it’s not my fault. My sisters are my best friends, and I don’t know what I’d do without them (even though they always steal my clothes).
I am of Egyptian heritage and I’m first generation Australian. Our bloodline is so Egyptian that I’d like to think our ancestors were the Pharaohs. In saying that, I still haven’t seen The Prince of Egypt. My mother, Wafaa, cooks the best Egyptian food: koshari, molokhia and mum’s speciality, falafel. Maybe one day I could get her to make some as a pre-show snack, although I don’t think she’d appreciate me promising hundreds of people free food!
At Griffin, I work alongside AJ and Ang, the Marketing super team, usually in my classic jeans, an oversized jumper with a flock of curls on my head. I celebrate my six months working at Griffin this week (how is it JUNE?!) and gosh what a year it’s been so far.
June also marks the End of Financial Year, which I didn’t really understand before working here, but after learning how vital this period is to keep Griffin’s many programs and development initiatives going, I now know how important it is! Last year, so many people donated in a year that was incredibly bleak and that fundamental support has had a profound impact on what we could deliver. So, this year, we want to thank you for your amazing generosity and, if you’re able, ask you to keep Australian stories shining!
The incredible Dogged is closing this week after a great run and there’s only a couple more days to see it. Powerful and moving, it’ll be sad to see the production close. The story behind it is something that will stay with me forever. Well done to the absolutely fabulous cast and writers Andrea James and Catherine Ryan on a brilliant run. This will not be the last time we see Dogged on stage somewhere!
Though we say goodbye to one extraordinary show, opening at the end of the month is Prima Facie by Suzie Miller, playing at the Seymour Centre. Having sold out in 2019 at the SBW Stables, it’s coming back for a return season and it’s not one to be missed. Grab your tickets now because it’ll definitely sell out again! Hope to see you in the Seymour foyer (I’m coming with my sisters!).
And soon before we know it, we’ll be back at the SBW Stables Theatre opening our next Main Season play Wherever She Wanders, in July, directed by the incredible Tessa Leong. This is her Griffin debut as Associate Artistic Director (a position at Griffin only possibly through the generous support of the Griffin Women’s Initiative). We’ve just announced our cast and creatives! Check out the full company here. I wish them luck as they begin rehearsals for what will be a moving, compelling and thought provoking show.
Ok that’s all from me, friends! Hope you enjoy the frosty start to winter. I’ll leave you with a final piece of advice from Wafaa: take a jacket with you (a piece of advice I haven’t learnt yet).
Stay safe and warm,
Rebecca Abdel-Messih
Marketing Assistant
