New - relevant - topic: State ID
Tue, 17 Jan 2006, 08:31 pmcrgwllms5 posts in thread
New - relevant - topic: State ID
Tue, 17 Jan 2006, 08:31 pmWhile I totally admire the initiative to start a new topic of debate, I just totally couldn't bring myself to wade through the totally inane wanna-be SoCal Valley Girl speak. (My apologies, Sal, if you actually ARE a totally inane SoCal Valley Girl).
I'm more interested in returning to a topic brought up by Beach a few weeks ago...the notion of an actor being identified as a 'WA' actor.
http://www.theatre.asn.au/read.php?f=19&i=8270&t=8224
Perth theatres often get criticised for not actively employing WA talent. People expressed disappointment that seemingly not many WA actors were involved in the Perth Festival (...I know of at least one!). The impression is that, to be deemed succesful, WA actors must leave to find work in other states, and then will be welcomed back as 'one of our own'. And we are quick to claim anyone succesful as being 'from WA', even if they were originally from somewhere else and only trained here. Or if they were here originally but left and got their training and success elsewhere.
There is often more than a hint of resentment when artists from other states get cast in WA productions. Yet I'm sure we expect to get a fair go when we travel interstate in search of work.
Do other states have this same fixation?
If you're a WAAPA grad, do you identify yourself as being from WA? Or it something you'd prefer wasn't associated with you?
Is it important to give preference to local casts? What qualifies you as local?
Is it where you're from? Or where you studied? Or where you are now?
Does it matter?
Cheers,
Craig
crgwllmsTue, 17 Jan 2006, 08:31 pm
While I totally admire the initiative to start a new topic of debate, I just totally couldn't bring myself to wade through the totally inane wanna-be SoCal Valley Girl speak. (My apologies, Sal, if you actually ARE a totally inane SoCal Valley Girl).
I'm more interested in returning to a topic brought up by Beach a few weeks ago...the notion of an actor being identified as a 'WA' actor.
http://www.theatre.asn.au/read.php?f=19&i=8270&t=8224
Perth theatres often get criticised for not actively employing WA talent. People expressed disappointment that seemingly not many WA actors were involved in the Perth Festival (...I know of at least one!). The impression is that, to be deemed succesful, WA actors must leave to find work in other states, and then will be welcomed back as 'one of our own'. And we are quick to claim anyone succesful as being 'from WA', even if they were originally from somewhere else and only trained here. Or if they were here originally but left and got their training and success elsewhere.
There is often more than a hint of resentment when artists from other states get cast in WA productions. Yet I'm sure we expect to get a fair go when we travel interstate in search of work.
Do other states have this same fixation?
If you're a WAAPA grad, do you identify yourself as being from WA? Or it something you'd prefer wasn't associated with you?
Is it important to give preference to local casts? What qualifies you as local?
Is it where you're from? Or where you studied? Or where you are now?
Does it matter?
Cheers,
Craig
Walter PlingeWed, 18 Jan 2006, 09:27 am
Re: New - relevant - topic: State ID
Craig....
Surely when hiring talent in any show the first and foremost thought in any director/choreographer/producer's mind is to get the most talented people regardless of any georaphical difference.... anything else would be seen as some kind (although very minor) placism (mixture of place and racism).
I think that the only real restrictions on hiring should be that the majority of roles go to Australian performers seeing that this is our country and our industry is limited. You could argue that point for each state, but you'll find that only WA seems to be worried about being so patriotic of their employment. This tends to be a running factor with WA.... for example, things are "Made in WA" rather than just "Made in Australia" which is what the rest of the country would say.
I was trained in WA, but I do not classify myself as a Western Australian, I'm sure when I'm rich and famous everyone in WA will claim that I'm from there.... and the rest of Australia will claim that I'm Australian.... but really I'm neither. It's all based on where you're living at the time.... surely a job is a job, and to a production: a cast is a cast... if they're good, then the production will last, or at least get good reviews.
As long as we can hold our own against American imports due to this free trade agreement I think that we should just see it as: if it's a majority Australian cast then we should all be happy....
Overstatedly,
Interstated.....
Surely when hiring talent in any show the first and foremost thought in any director/choreographer/producer's mind is to get the most talented people regardless of any georaphical difference.... anything else would be seen as some kind (although very minor) placism (mixture of place and racism).
I think that the only real restrictions on hiring should be that the majority of roles go to Australian performers seeing that this is our country and our industry is limited. You could argue that point for each state, but you'll find that only WA seems to be worried about being so patriotic of their employment. This tends to be a running factor with WA.... for example, things are "Made in WA" rather than just "Made in Australia" which is what the rest of the country would say.
I was trained in WA, but I do not classify myself as a Western Australian, I'm sure when I'm rich and famous everyone in WA will claim that I'm from there.... and the rest of Australia will claim that I'm Australian.... but really I'm neither. It's all based on where you're living at the time.... surely a job is a job, and to a production: a cast is a cast... if they're good, then the production will last, or at least get good reviews.
As long as we can hold our own against American imports due to this free trade agreement I think that we should just see it as: if it's a majority Australian cast then we should all be happy....
Overstatedly,
Interstated.....
Walter PlingeTue, 24 Jan 2006, 08:05 am
Re: New - relevant - topic: State ID
In my opinion I will always say that I am from Melbourne. I have been based here all my life and have done many years of theatrical training here. I know the scene, the theatres and theatrical identities here better than I do anywhere else, and it always feels like I am home when Im back here.
So for my money, even though I will have spent three years in Perth studying, my heart still lies in Melbourne.
I guess it is where you identify yourself with most.
So for my money, even though I will have spent three years in Perth studying, my heart still lies in Melbourne.
I guess it is where you identify yourself with most.
Walter PlingeTue, 24 Jan 2006, 08:07 am
Re: New - relevant - topic: State ID
In my opinion I will always say that I am from Melbourne. I have been based here all my life and have done many years of theatrical training here. I know the scene, the theatres and theatrical identities here better than I do anywhere else, and it always feels like I am home when Im back here.
So for my money, even though I will have spent three years in Perth studying, my heart still lies in Melbourne.
I guess it is where you identify yourself with most.
So for my money, even though I will have spent three years in Perth studying, my heart still lies in Melbourne.
I guess it is where you identify yourself with most.
Walter PlingeTue, 24 Jan 2006, 01:58 pm
Re: New - relevant - topic: State ID
Is there an Echo in here?.......