TASTY TREATS EDITION#5 JUNE 2021

NEWS FROM MIDNIGHT FEAST!

View this email in your browser

Midnight Feast is a bold initiative that enables artists who experience significant physical, intellectual and emotional challenges to participate in the performing arts. We celebrate abilities not limitations. Our theatre explores humanity in all its diversity and challenges assumptions.

A MESSAGE FROM KYLIE

Welcome family, friends and FANS of ‘The Feast’, to the June edition of Tasty Treats!

I hope you are all warm, safe with someone to love and be loved by.

It is so very easy to forget how miraculous it is to live each day on this planet, yet it is, each day a gift.

I am so grateful that each week I am able to drive to NIDA and work with the most talented SUPERSTARS on earth. Being with community is encouraging and nourishing - especially when around the globe some are not able to congregate.
It gives me great pleasure to share a quote from Alistair Graham, the General manager of NIDA, updating us on the progress of the upgrade to the facilities of our National Institute of Dramatic Art…...

“It is very important for NIDA to provide a fully accessible bathroom facility as part of its commitment to being an inclusive organisation. This is reflected in the unanimous support shown by the NIDA Board of Directors and Leadership Team as the project has been planned and developed over several years. Given the age and physical constraints of the NIDA Kensington building the process to determine the most appropriate location for the bathroom has been a complex undertaking. Multiple consultants have been engaged throughout the process to comply with the relevant building codes and ensure the facility meets the needs of the users. As NIDA’s General Manager and having observed the wonderful work of Midnight Feast over many years, it has been a personal goal to improve the level of access and experience for all artists and visitors to NIDA, especially those with significant disabilities. The energy and life that these artists bring to NIDA each week is inspiring and very important to the future of the performing arts industry.” (Graham, 2021)

Some dreams do come true…..

Much LOVE

Kylie

Image description: On the left is a photograph of Midnight Feast ensemble member, Oliver House wearing an Aruma t'shirt. He is seated and in front of him is one of his amazing stone carvings; a blue fish. On the right is a photograph of another of Ollie's stone carvings. It is the bust of a man wearing a light aqua shirt and a royal blue bow tie.

He’s an actor, a writer, a worker, a wheelchair racer and a stone carver!... Is there anything this man can’t do? Midnight Feast’s resident Renaissance Man, Oliver House, tells us about one of his favourite creative passtimes...

MY TALES OF STONE CARVING

An interview with Oliver House

What made you start stone carving?

I tried painting but I found it a bit boring. So I asked my teacher at Inala if I could try stone-carving. She brought in some Hebel stone and I really liked it.

What inspires you to start a new stone carving project and what is your process like?

I like making pieces for friends, family and acquaintances, so I ask people what they would like. I make some for the garden at Inala too. I start by drawing the subject on one side of the stone (my teacher helps with that). Then I carefully saw and rasp my way around the subject. Then I shape it some more. Finally, I paint it in bright colours.

What are some of the things you've made?

Pets, fish, whales, dinosaur, faces, an aboriginal with a spear and a car for my gym instructor.

What do you love about stone carving and how does it make you feel?

I’m in control of the process, or at least I try to be. It’s quite hard keeping the chisel straight and not slipping, cutting into the piece. Many times I’ve had to start again, but that’s ok. It makes me feel good watching the piece come together. I like seeing the person’s face when I give it to them.

Image description: Pictured above is one of Erica Halvorsen's artworks entitled 'Erica's Favourite Flower'. It depicts an orange flower in a red pot, on a pale pink background. In the top left of the work, Erica has drawn the sun and there are three clouds in the sky.

MY ARTWORK
By Erica Halvorsen

I like painting on my balcony.
I like painting nature; plants and gardens and parks.
I can’t draw people at all!
Last year my artwork ‘Celebrating with Nature’ was on display at the Doherty Community Centre in Chatswood.
It was part of a competition but I just did it for fun.
The competition was about finding out who had the best picture, but it didn’t bother me if I didn’t get anything because I just love painting.

Erica Halvorsen

Image description: Pictured above on the left is ensemble member James Penny, seated in a chair, wearing a Midnight Feast t'shirt. Sitting across from him is Masters of Writing for Performance student, Matthew Bostok. He holds a laptop and is looking across at James. They are hard at work.

IN THE REHEARSAL ROOM

Over the last few months, the Midnight Feast ensemble has been busy cooking up a brand new production. We can't give away too much at this stage, but we can say that we've been hard at work with some very special guests. The NIDA Masters of Fine Arts writers have been collaborating with us to workshop some exciting new material. We're thrilled to be able to work with such a wonderful group of talented young artists.

BIRTHDAY SHOUT OUT!

This month's BIRTHDAY SHOUT OUT! goes to Midnight Feast ensemble member, Jesse Vandrempt. Jesse celebrated his birthday on June 2nd and is a much loved and valued member of our company. Jesse is almost always smiling, but don't be fooled, his cheery exterior belies a very cheeky and sometimes terrifying sense of humour. Who else would wrote a short film about a bunch of evil teddy bears?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESSE!
(we love yooooo)

Image description: Pictured on the left is a photograph of Midnight Feast ensemble member, Jesse. He is wearing glasses, an ABBA t'shirt and a brightly coloured hoodie. He is at the aquarium, smiling at the camera with a big sting-ray swimming behind him. On the right, Jesse is picurted with Kylie Harris on his birthday. He is seated, wearing a red hat and holding a book and a birthday card. Kylie stands behind with her arms wrapped around him, wearing a red superhero cape.

A MESSAGE FROM THE EDITOR

A quick reminder from last edition...

Did you know that July 2021 marks Midnight Feast's 5th Anniversary? Traditionally the 5th Anniversary is known as the 'Wooden Anniversary'. However in lieu of gifts crafted from timber, we just want your stories!

The July edition of the Tasty Treats newsletter will be a celebration of all that Midnight Feast has achieved over the last five years. If you have any great Midnight Feast memories or stories you'd like to share, please email us at info@midnightfeast.com.au.

Stories must be submitted by July 1st for inclusion in the anniversary edition.

Copyright © Midnight Feast, Theatre That Unites, All rights reserved.

Our mailing address is:
info@midnightfeast.com.au

Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list

This email was sent to <<Email Address>>
why did I get this? unsubscribe from this list update subscription preferences
Midnight Feast Theatre That Unites · 18/50 Botanic Road · Mosman, Nsw 2008 · Australia