Catastrophes: An intimate journey of truth and friendship at PICA
Wednesday, 02 August 2023
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Dr Renée Newman and Ella Hetherington are Co-Creators and Performers in Catastrophes.
In a world threatened by global collapse, Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) Associate Dean of Research, Dr Renée Newman, has teamed up with performance maker and close friend, Ella Hetherington, to create a powerful and brutally honest production, Catastrophes.
The new show will be featured as part of the Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts' (PICA) Djilba/Kambarang season program, opening on 16 August.
Catastrophes is a soul-bearing tale that delves into the real lives of these two performance makers as they confront parenthood, failing bodies, and the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
After an intense creative process, Renée and Ella invite the audience into their shame-free friendship, offering an hour of confessions that are both chaotic and hopeful.
The performance was curated from their candid text messages and personal conversations, making it a raw and genuine portrayal of their experiences.
"Catastrophes reminds us that even amidst an impending global crisis, we are not alone in our struggles," Renee said.
"Friendship can help us through even the most challenging of times."
About the Artists
Dr Renée Newman has been an educator, actor, writer, director and producer for nearly 20 years. Her performance interests/credits include: producer and performer, Those who fall in love like anchors dropped upon the ocean floor, 2014, 2015, 2016; Sleeping Beauty, 2016; director, Public Space, 2013; creator, producer, performer, director and writer, Virgie, 2011, 2012; and Seeking Basic Needs and Other Tales of Excess in 2018. She is the Course Coordinator of the Bachelor of Performing Arts (Honours) and current Associate Dean (Research) for WAAPA at ECU. She has published with Routledge, Journals including Educational Philosophy Theory, Sustainability, Platform and Performance Research.
Ella Hetherington is a multidisciplinary theatre maker, facilitator and producer based in Walyalup (Fremantle) WA. As an actor, devisor and collaborator she has worked with WA companies; Black Swan State Theatre Company, Barking Gecko Theatre Company, Perth Theatre Company, The Last Great Hunt, Sensorium, aMoment, Steamworks, littleY, Emma Fishwick, Renegade Productions, Encounter and kdm Industries. Nationally she has performed and created works with Force Majeure, ERTH, Patch, Legs on Wall and the Sydney Opera House. International companies include La Fura Del Baus, Frantic Assembly and Look Right Look Left.
Her work has toured throughout Europe, Canada nationally and throughout regional WA with commissions from WASO, WA Maritime Museum and Black Swan State Theatre Company. She has built and lead large-scale performance projects in Kununurra, Jurien Bay, Christmas Island and with DADAA. Most recently she has been Associate Director on ERTH's Boodjar, Associate Producer for Performing Lines' Kolyang, Rehearsal Director for Sensorium’s Perth Festival premiere Wonderbox, and her work Golden Hour is currently in development (with the support of Performing Lines) which will premiere in 2025.
Hetherington is a casual lecturer in devising at WAAPA, a teaching artist for BSSTC and a Blue Room Theatre board member.
Catastrophes runs from 16 to 26 August. Further information and tickets available via the PICA webpage.