ZEN ZEN ZO PHYSICAL THEATRE

20 year anniversary ANNUAL REPORT 2012

Supported by Arts Queensland

CONTENTS Milestones Report .................................... 3 Chair Person’s Report .............................. 4 Artistic Directors’ Report ........................ 5 Vision & Goals .......................................... 7 Management Team & Board ................... 8 Performance Company Highlights .......... 9 Training Centre Highlights ..................... 14 Philanthropy & Fundraising ................... 18 Marketing ............................................... 19 Financial Statements ............................. 20

Background image: Hello Spaceboy! Circular image: The Old Museum, Brisbane Cover: Ramalama: Zen Events Opposite page: Zen Events Photography by Simon Woods.

2012 MAJOR MILESTONES •

20 Year Company Anniversary

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10 Year Anniversary of Residence at the Old Museum

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10 Year Anniversary Company Internship Program

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2 new Mainstage productions performing 31 shows

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2 regional Touring productions performing 55 shows

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6 Youth Productions

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8 Directors produced new work

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Launched first Pozible campaign raising over $3000

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First appearance at QPAC’s Out of the Box Festival for Children

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Completed new digital strategy for 2013 roll out

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9 Matilda Nominations/4 Matilda Awards

best director

best female actor iN a supportiNg role

best female actor iN a supportiNg role

best emergiNg artist

NiNe NomiNatioNs

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CHAIR PERSON’S OVERVIEW — 20 Years and Still Stomping … First and foremost let’s take a moment to reflect on 20 years in the trenches of art-making through — to use our new motto — inspiration, perspiration and transformation. • We continue to draw inspiration from our teachers and mentors and we seek to pass on this wisdom through our artistic practice. • Through hard work and perspiration we deliver a top class program of performances and training opportunities, which start in Queensland and reverberate to many locations around the world. • Each day we transform ourselves by ‘entering the problem’ (another company motto), and seek to facilitate a similar experience of growth in our students and audiences 2012 was a year of challenge and growth as we sought to test new ways of making Zen Zen Zo a creative platform for new and established directors, actors, teachers, producers and managers. The high profile achievements included packed houses for Vikram and the Vampire, which showcased the work of 14 fantastic Queensland actors, 3 musicians and a broad range of key creatives under the direction of Michael Futcher. Another new work written and directed by Helen Howard in her directorial debut, Therese Raquin, opened in November and received unanimous critical acclaim and went on to win a swag of Matilda Awards. In addition to reaching thousands of students through the regional touring of Romeo & Juliet (secondary) and Hello Spaceboy! (primary) in partnership with ArtsLink, we also had the chance to present a full in-theatre version of Hello Spaceboy! in Brisbane’s prestigious children’s festival Out of the Box in QPAC’s Cremorne Theatre. Just as important was the success of the 6 Youth Productions which means that a total of 8 directors created Zen Zen Zo shows in 2012. The 2012 season garnered 9 Matilda Nominations and received 4 Awards including Helen Howard as Best Director and Lizzie Ballinger as Best Emerging Artist. Lynne Bradley took the Training Centre to a new level with the tireless assistance of Merlynn Tong, continuing to focus on new initiatives and income streams through the Training Centre. This led to the launching of a Youth Ensemble and the growth of our key relationships with schools and arts companies in Hong Kong, Japan and Singapore. The Performance Company farewelled Mary-Ann Vale after 3 wonderful years as General Manager, and welcomed Soonufat “Soon” Supramaniam as our new Artistic Co-ordinator. As always we are brimming with new ideas for 2013/14 and I thank my fellow Board members and all staff, performers and teaching-artists, sponsors and donors, for their superb efforts throughout our 20th Anniversary year. Simon Woods Chair

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ARTISTIC DIRECTORS’ REPORT OveRvIew 2012 was a busy year artistically for the Performance Company, with two acclaimed new productions mounted at our home, The Old Museum, a tour of Queensland undertaken in collaboration with Artslink of our schools productions, a highly successful season completed at the Out Of The Box Festival for Children, and a new work entitled Last Drinks developed and presented for an IN THE RAW season in Montville. Our production of Therese Raquin received an unprecedented nine Matilda Award nominations, and won four, while our production of Vikram and the Vampire was also nominated for Best Independent Production at the Matilda Awards. The year was also an extremely productive one in forging new partnerships with several local, national, and international companies and producers, which will considerably raise the profile of the company in 2013 and beyond. With a settled company structure, an exciting 2013 programme planned, and a vibrant young team of performers, creatives and producers on board, the company is now well-positioned to continue its impressive growth over the coming years.

LOCAL and NATIONAL 2012 saw two theatrically-adventurous and criticallyacclaimed new productions staged at The Old Museum: Vikram and the Vampire, directed by Michael Futcher in May, and Therese Raquin, directed by Helen Howard in November (detailed reports below). The company also staged the new devised work Last Drinks in Montville as well as the vibrant children’s piece Hello Spaceboy! in collaboration with QPAC as part of the Out Of The Box Festival — both productions directed by long-term Associate Director, Drew der Kinderen. In addition, our successful collaboration with Artslink continued with our productions of Romeo & Juliet and Hello Spaceboy! travelling to regional Queensland schools throughout the year.

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One of the company’s main focus areas during 2012 was nd t he Vampire establishing new partnerships with mainstream companies, organizations and sponsors. This work will bear fruit, when, in July 2013, Zen Zen Zo will partner with the Queensland Music Festival and Queensland Theatre Company to present 1001 Nights, to be performed at the Bille Brown Studio. This will mark the company’s first collaboration with these two major organizations and will greatly increase our profile amongst mainstream audiences. Also in 2013 the company will continue its association with Artslink and our generous supporter PowerArts, with two new schools productions, Marcus and the Manic Music Makers and Macbeth: A Porter’s Tale, to tour Queensland primary and secondary schools extensively. Through the Training Centre the company also staged a massive 6 Youth Productions in partnerships with Educational Institutions — Medea, Through the Looking Glass, Most, Hidden Things, Rhino and I Wanna Be A Superhero! (as part of Creative Generation), involving over 200 students and young people in the performing arts. Page 5

Nationally, the company increased its profile through attendance at APAM, and various other conferences and forums interstate throughout the year. The company’s established presence on the “Cyberpaddock” network throughout 2012 will pave the way for future national tours, in particular with our production of 1001 Nights, which, in partnership with the Queensland Theatre Company, will be pitched for the next round of national touring in August/September 2013. Zen Zen Zo’s growing national significance was also recognised in 2012 through Michael being invited to join the Australian Theatre Forum Advisory Committee, alongside theatre luminary Robyn Archer, as well as several key arts advocates and practitioners from around the country.

INTeRNATIONAL Zen Zen Zo steadily developed its international profile during 2012 through its attendance at APAM where it forged useful links with many national and international companies. Subsequently it was through an invitation from a local company, The Australian Voices, that Zen Zen Zo had its work seen internationally in 2012, by providing direction on all physical aspects of The Australian Voices’ production of Moon which completed a highly successful season at the Edinburgh Festival before touring the United Kingdom extensively. The renewed links with the Edinburgh Festival through Moon also led to an invitation from Edinburgh Fringe Festival producer, Hartley Kemp, for the company to perform in Edinburgh again in 2014 or 2015, to follow-up the success of Zeitgeist from 2010. Through circumstances beyond the control of Zen Zen Zo and acclaimed Japanese Butoh company Dairakudakan, the Brisbane Festival was unable to mount 2012: Apocalypse. However developmental work continued on this production, and in August a team of Zen Zen Zo performers led by Lynne Bradley travelled to Japan to work with Dairakudakan and subsequently appeared in Dairakudakan’s The Golden Show in Hakuba. Further development of 2012: Apocalypse will occur throughout 2013, and will culminate in a series of performances to be held during February/March 2014 to coincide with APAM’s first year in Brisbane. This collaborative performance with Dairakudakan will be marketed heavily to international producers and presenters during APAM, as a tour-ready work, and will be a valuable showcase for Zen Zen Zo during APAM and The World Theatre Festival.

KeY CHALLeNGeS The key challenge remains the ability to cover core staffing costs whilst attracting enough funds to resource the productions adequately. With the change of government and no real increase in arts funding, the pool of available money appears to be decreasing across the sector, with co-producers no longer willing or able to invest large amounts of money into new projects. Zen Zen Zo is well connected in the Industry and has an excellent reputation which has allowed us to continue to gain support from creative partners and investors, however a further increase in government funding is needed to allow us to continue to attract full-time quality arts management staff to oversee the company’s operations.

ACKNOwLeDGeMeNTS Zen Zen Zo wishes to thank Arts Queensland for its continuing support of the company through s2m funding, the Queensland Youth Orchestra for allowing us tenancy in the beautiful Old Museum, and to our many sponsors and co-producers throughout 2012 — in particular to PowerArts for its generous support of the development of our touring productions. We would also like to acknowledge and thank the departing General Manager, Mary-Ann Vale, for her tireless administration and running of the Performance Company for the last three years. We wish her all the best in her change of career. Michael Futcher and Helen Howard Co-Artistic Directors Page 6

visiOn & GOaLs PuRPOSe Zen Zen Zo is a Brisbane-based physical theatre ensemble at the forefront of contemporary performance in Australia. The Company produces potent, visceral theatre for local, national and international audiences, scaffolded by intense, grounded training of mind/body and a rigorous collaborative development program.

vALueS • We believe in a theatre of contact, in which the relationship between the actors and the audience is at once intimate and shocking, compelling and confrontational, ritualistic and profane. • We believe in the Dark Carnivale that celebrates the edge of human experience, exploring the extremity of physical performance to access the forbidden. • We rejoice in the human body in all its nakedness, placing it at the centre of everything. • We believe in the ensemble as a fundamental cornerstone for the building of excellence and evolution of ideas and form. • We believe in the importance of engaging young people in the wonder of art and art making to build future generations of engaged and knowledgeable artists and audiences. • We believe in invigorating established artists by connecting them with their instinctive selves.

GOALS Quality Theatre Develop and produce innovative and cutting-edge physical and visual theatre experiences. Quality Training Program Design and deliver a diverse range of high quality personal and professional development programs accessible to all. Growth Build a national and international profile for our performance and training activities. Sustainability Maintain a financially sustainable company, which can fully fund all of its activities.

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MANAGEMENT TEAM

Michael Futcher Co-ArTiSTiC DireCTor

Helen Howard Co-ArTiSTiC DireCTor

lynne Bradley TrAininG CenTre DireCTor

Mary-Ann Vale GenerAl MAnAGer

Merlynn Tong eDuCATion MAnAGer

Soonufat Supramaniam ArTiSTiC CoorDinATor

Drew der Kinderen ASSoCiATe DireCTor

BOARD MEMBERS

Simon Woods (CHAir)

David Dargie (TreASurer)

Michael Burke

Jane Cameron

Hayley linthwaite

Melissa Western

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vIKRAM AND THe vAMPIRe Director: Michael Futcher Adapters: Michael Futcher and Helen Howard Designer: Tiffany Beckwith-Skinner Lighting Designer: Ben Hughes Musical Director: Guy Webster Cast: Lizzie Ballinger, Sandro Corarelli, Liz Buchanan, Melissa Budd, Alexander Forero, Helen Howard, Lauren Jackson, Jamie Kendall, Yenenesh Nigusse, James Raggatt, Amber-Jade Sales

Vikram and the Vampire

“Nominated for the Matilda Award for 2012 Best Independent Production” Vikram and the Vampire was adapted by Michael Futcher and Helen Howard from a series of hilarious and fantastical tales from ancient India, and played to packed houses in the Zen Zen Zo Studio at the Old Museum throughout May 2012. Vikram and the Vampire, with its fusion of theatrical storytelling, physical theatre and live music, enchanted and thrilled audiences of all ages, receiving great critical acclaim and enhancing the company’s reputation for producing high-quality physical theatre, as well as nurturing emerging artists, and reaching out to new young audiences. The cast of 10 included an eclectic mix of established Zen Zen Zo performers, high-quality local actors, graduate Zen Zen Zo Interns and emerging physical performers, who played alongside an ensemble of ethnic musicians led by an experienced musical director.

Media “These are fantastic fairytales largely unknown to Australians and are an absolute joy to visit … Vikram and the Vampire is exciting theatre – no projections, no tricks. It’s all beautifully live and present. Uniquely theatrical.” Greenroom “See Vampires that don’t suck … Sandro Colarelli is a convincingly narky Vikram … He has an excellent foil in Lizzie Ballinger who gives Vetal a good mix of trickiness, supernatural power, vulnerability and exasperation … Bryan Probets unleashes his full box of tricks as various dodgy and devious characters … The whole thing is pretty much a hoot, played broadly and with gusto” The Courier Mail “Director Michael Futcher and Co-Director Helen Howard have given us a fabulous show and should be extremely pleased with themselves as should everyone involved in this great show. After leaving the Old Museum I felt a mixture of emotions and that to me is the best way to feel after seeing something on the stage … Definitely go and see the amazing tale of Vikram and the Vampire.” Theatrepeople.com “Vikram and the Vampire is an important artistic work with Zen Zen Zo bringing these ancient Hindu tales to a Western audience, and should be seen as part of our cultural education.” Aussietheatre.com “One thing is for certain: with the Zen Zen Zo Physical Theatre company you can always expect the unexpected. That hasn’t changed with new artistic directors Helen Howard and Michael Futcher. The show, a fast 95 non-stop minutes, is a fascinating mix of drama, colour, Indian music, and comedy … I enjoyed it a lot and some scenes have stayed with me, which says a lot for the imagery that was produced”. Absolutetheatre.com Page 9

(continued) HeLLO SPACeBOY! — OuT OF THe BOX FeSTIvAL Director/writer/Composer: Drew der Kinderen Costume Designer: Nathalie Ryner Choreographers: Melissa Budd & Jamie Kendall Lighting Designer: Ben Hughes Set Designer: Josh McIntosh Cast: Harriet Devlin, Sam Plummer, Dale Thorburn Hello Spaceboy! was a new devised work for Zen Zen Zo, and the first production created for the 5–11 year age group (Primary). Directed by Zen Zen Zo Associate Director Drew der Kinderen, Hello Spaceboy! followed the journey of young Max as he traveled into space and back in search of his imagination (stolen by excessive TV, DVD, and Computer Games consumption). The narrative structure was loosely based on the legend of King Arthur’s early life and childhood. Max is the archetypal boy-king — naïve and reluctant at first, but possesses a strong sense of justice and determination. Max’s guides along the way are an “Imaginaut” and a “Spirit Master”, both acting as archetypal teachers, much like Merlin or Obi-Wan Kenobi. Through his instruction, Max learns to overcome adversity and reach his potential.

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Tapping into key learning areas for this age bracket, Hello Spaceboy! had a simple but important message about developing children’s creativity. After extensive regional touring around Queensland in 2011 and 2012 with ArtsLink, QPAC programmed the work as a part of the Out Of The Box Festival where the production was extremely well received.

Feedback “Mix together some physical theatre, a splash of comedy, a big dose of imagination, and a young boy’s obsession with technology, and you have Hello Spaceboy!, another high-energy offering from Zen Zen Zo. The show takes its audience on a trip to outer space where young Max meets a number of interesting characters who, in their own unique ways, show him the important role that imagination plays in life. Although written for a younger audience, Hello Spaceboy! has a message even for the adults amongst us — ‘Unplug yourself and free your imagination’.” Rebecca Murray — Kenmore State High School “Hello Spaceboy! takes the audience on a physically dynamic and vibrant journey fuelled with magic, make believe and ‘Imaginauts’. Specifically designed for children, this wholly entertaining and physically engaging adventure story travels through time and space to reclaim the imagination of Max. A child at heart, the performance stayed with me for days, making me laugh, look at my television differently and dream I could do the ‘Imaginaut’ dance!” Hayley Linthwaite — QUT Educator

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THeReSe RAQuIN Director: Helen Howard Adaptation: Helen Howard with Michael Futcher executive Producer: Cristian Pilditch Set & Costume Designer: Josh McIntosh Lighting Designer: Jason Glenwright Composer: Phil Slade Cast: Lizzie Ballinger, Louise Brehmer, Julien Faddoul, Eugene Gilfedder, Luisa Prosser, Luke Townson “9 Matilda Award Nominations. 4 Matilda Awards including Best Director.” This intimate production proved to be one of the surprise hits of the year for Zen Zen Zo, and featured prominently at the Matilda Awards. Adapted by Helen Howard and Michael Futcher from the Emile Zola novel of the same name, and directed by first time director Helen Howard, Therese Raquin fused physical theatre with a richly-wrought text to produce a theatrical piece which resounded deeply with its audiences. Part psychological thriller, part melodrama, the play proved to be an exceptional showcase for experienced and emerging Zen Zen Zo performers, as well as the highly-talented team of creatives.

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Media “A compelling two hours…passion shines through in every minute of Therese Raquin – the passion this company has for its material and the passion it engenders in the actors.” The Courier Mail

Therese Raquin “Howard as director has successfully melded physical theatre and straight drama together giving us a spine-tingling experience where melodrama and obsessive dance movements combine in a form of theatre not seen before in Brisbane…for people who want to see brave, innovative theatre, it’s a must.” Alison Cotes – Curtain Call “An excellent cast and production team…an outstanding and entertaining evening of theatre – a story well told.” AbsoluteTheatre.com “A story of murder, adultery and manipulation. Howard and Futcher’s adaptation brings the mood that makes this thriller intense, repellent and utterly captivating.” TheatrePeople.com “Superb! … a fantastic production.” ABC Radio “Zen Zen Zo is renowned worldwide for their physical theatre training and theatrical productions that continue to push boundaries and challenge artists as much as audiences…you’re frozen in time and space, watching, unable to look away, and at the same time, eyes fixed…Helen Howard’s directorial debut is impressive and Therese Raquin is the type of heritage-turned-contemporary theatre that I’d like to see more of.” XS Entertainment “A fantastic production. It punches you in the gut, winds you, triggers something primal in you; but it does so in a way that is at the same time creatively and intellectually complex.” Off Street Press Page 11

(continued) ROMeO & JuLIeT — ReGIONAL TOuRING 60 Shows — Reached 2057 students Director: Steven Mitchell Wright Adaptation: Christopher Beckey Romeo & Juliet

Tour Director: Michael Futcher Composer: Chris Perren Cast: Harriet Devlin, Sam Plummer, Dale Thorburn Zen Zen Zo’s Romeo & Juliet was first created in 2005 for the Queensland Arts Council. The performance was a hit with students and teachers throughout Queensland and continued to tour for 3 years around regional Queensland, metropolitan Brisbane, and eventually Hong Kong. Directed by Zen Zen Zo former Associate Director, Steven Mitchell Wright, and featuring Zen Zen Zo senior company members Harriet Devlin, Dale Thorburn and Sam Plummer, this radical adaptation of the Shakespearean classic once again engaged young people through the dynamic physicality, contemporary music and choreography, and combination of classic and modern text. In 2012 the show toured throughout north and central Queensland regional schools.

HeLLO SPACeBOY! — ReGIONAL TOuRING 65 Shows — Reached 2295 students Director/writer: Drew Der Kinderen Set Designer: Josh Mcintosh Costume Designer: Nathalie Ryner Choreographers: Melissa Budd & Jamie Kendall Cast: Harriet Devlin, Sam Plummer, Dale Thorburn

Feedback “Zen Zen Zo’s Romeo & Juliet delivers on every level. It’s visually and physically stunning, completely engaging for young people, and still true to Shakespeare’s classic story. The skill level in the performance is top-notch, and there are some moments which truly take your breath away. My students were talking about it for months.” Richard Kallagher — West Island School

Hello Spaceboy!

“Hello Spaceboy! is an hilarious and delicious young person’s play that teaches and entertains children about the joy of storytelling. I’m particularly excited that Zen Zen Zo is sharing their outrageous energy and imagination with younger audiences. But let me tell you, not only the young will enjoy this creative journey!” Maureen Billiau — Corinda State High School Page 12

Zen events Director: Lynne Bradley Zen events Producer: Soonufat Supramaniam In 2012 the company revived its Zen Events arm, which has brought Zen Zen Zo’s celebratory Upside Down World to a variety of public and corporate events over the past 15 years, including: • Opening Events (nightclubs/ restaurants/ venues) • Corporate Events (parties/ conferences/ award nights) • Community Events (children’s events/ parades/ markets) • Nightclub Appearances • Festivals (openings/ parades/ VIP events) The repertoire of Zen Events includes many of the company’s best-loved dances from shows such as Cabaret, Zeitgeist, Dracula and Hello Spaceboy! In 2012 Zen Events Director Lynne Bradley also commissioned Queensland’s leading Slam Poet, Scott Sneddon (Darkwing Dubs) to write an original piece for the Zen Events repertoire. The resulting work, Here There Be Dragons, will feature in Zen Events’ 2013 program and represents a significant new creative partnership for the company. Zen Events also provides an opportunity for widespread exposure of the company’s performance work to non-theatre going audiences, and potentially builds new audiences for Zen Zen Zo. Some Zen Events performance highlights have included: • Matilda Awards • Mercedes Fashion Week • Opening of Cloudland Nightclub • Valley Fiesta • Coolum Kite Festival • Zuri Bar Anniversary Celebration • Southbank & Colmslie Park Openings • Grinders Coffee Venue Opening • Garden of Unearthly Delights As part of relaunching Zen Events, the company auditioned and selected 10 outstanding performers — all of whom have come through the Zen Zen Zo Training Centre and share the company’s unique performance aesthetic. In this manner Zen Zen Zo is developing emerging artists by provided paid work, performance experience, and access to a large network of clients. Additionally, Zen Events is one of a number of programs launched in 2012–2013 to provide links between the Zen Zen Zo Training Centre and Performance Company, to ensure alignment and connection between the two arms of the company. Towards the end of 2012 strategic marketing and financial plans were put in place to further grow Zen Events with the goal of it becoming a significant new income stream for the company.

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Training Centre Director: Lynne Bradley education Manager: Merlynn Tong Teaching Staff: Chris Beckey & Drew Der Kinderen (Principal Instructors) Damian Bernado, Melissa Budd, Harriet Devlin, Hannah Fox, Earl Kim, Jena Prince, Oliver Skrzypczynski, Katherine Wilkinson, Lisa Worthington

Participants: 7849 Residencies: 61

workshops: 12 Training Intensives: 9

The Zen Zen Zo Training Centre is now one of the leading centres for Physical Theatre and Emerging Artist Training in the Southern Hemisphere. It includes Queensland’s largest In-Schools Drama program, and the highly lauded Company Internship which is where many of Queensland’s most innovative artists and arts workers began their careers. The Training Centre, which also operates a branch in Melbourne, is proud to service a diverse number of clients, including schools, other performance companies, community organisations, universities, teachers, emerging and professional artists. In 2012 the Training Centre experienced substantial growth. This expansion can be seen as a direct result of the company’s 2011 restructure which created dedicated leadership and staff for the two arms of Zen Zen Zo (Performance Company & Training Centre). Zen Zen Zo co-founder Lynne Bradley stepped into the role Training Centre Director and Merlynn Tong came on board to take up the position of Education Manager. The Training Centre is now divided into 5 discreet but inter-connected areas which each have substantial output: 1.

In-Schools Program • Workshops • Teaching Residencies • Directing Residency Youth Productions • Teachers Professional Development

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The Actor’s Dojo (weekly Adult Classes) • Physical Actor Training (Beginners, Intermediate, Advanced) • Butoh Dance-Theatre • Acting Masterclasses

3.

Stomp Training Intensives • Stomping Ground Summer School • Winter Stomp Bootcamp • Devising & Directing Masterclass • Interstate Stomps (Perth, Darwin, Melbourne, Adelaide, Sydney)

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4.

Youth Programs • Youth Ensemble (launched in 2013) • Small Stomp Training & Devising Intensive • Youth Physical Theatre Training • Acting Classes • Musical Theatre Classes

5.

Internship Program

In 2012 one of the primary areas of expansion for the Zen Zen Zo Training Centre was the Youth Program. Identified as a huge growth market, a great deal of research and planning was undertaken last year in this area, with many new initiatives being implemented.

YOuTH AMBASSADORS Each year Zen Zen Zo selects 4–5 Youth Ambassadors to participate in the company’s activities for the course of a year, representing the company at Industry functions, giving talks in universities and schools to raise awareness about the company’s activities, helping develop new marketing strategies aimed at attracting young people (particularly through the new technologies).

YOuTH eNSeMBLe In 2012 Zen Zen Zo announced the launch of a Youth Ensemble in 2013, a new initiative designed to provide a context in which motivated young artists can become all-round performers (like the Zen Zen Zo company members) in an ensemble environment that encourages creativity and excellence. This year-long program which includes weekly training, rehearsals, performances, and seminars with Industry Leaders, aims to mentor young emerging arts in: • Cultivating leadership skills • Becoming excellent all-round performers • Learning how to pursue a professional career in the performing arts industry In January this year auditions took place and 20 talented motivated young people were selected to partake in the inaugural Zen Zen Zo Youth Ensemble!

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YOuTH SCHOOL Zen Zen Zo’s Youth School, founded in 2004, continues to offer a variety of weekly classes to students aged 14–18 years as well as an annual holiday workshop program called Small Stomp. In 2012 the Youth School expanded to include naturalistic acting classes to reflect a more comprehensive focus on actor training within the company. In 2013 the Youth School will also offer Musical Theatre classes.

YOuTH PRODuCTIONS • • • • • •

Hidden Things Directors: Earl Kim & Christopher Beckey Most Director: Lisa Worthington Through the Looking Glass Directors: Lisa Worthington & Drew der Kinderen Rhino Directors: Melissa Budd & Katherine Wilkinson Medea Director: Drew der Kinderen Creative Generation: “I Wanna Be a Superhero!” Director: Melissa Budd Page 15

(continued) In 2012 Zen Zen Zo produced 5 full-length Youth Productions in partnership with schools in Brisbane, working alongside over 200 students to introduce them to professional theatre practice. These schools included long-term creative partners Corinda SHS, Kedron SHS and Wavell SHS’s School of Excellence. Zen Zen Zo also once again appeared in the Creative Generation: States Schools Onstage event as one of the professional performance companies working alongside young people to promote creativity and excellence within the state school system in Queensland. Zen Zen Zo performed one of the most popular segments, I Wanna Be A Superhero!, which explored the recent release of a plethora of superhero movies, and featured 12 high-school and 4 primary-school students alongside senior company members. The show was subsequently broadcast on Channel 10 to over 2 million viewers nationally.

Creative Generation: “I Wanna Be a Superhero!”

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In 2012 Zen Zen Zo offered the 10th Company Internship. This innovative program provides one of the few opportunities in Australia for emerging artists (actors, directors, producers, teachers & administrators) to acquire the skills and contacts necessary to make the transition into the professional performing arts industry; or for established artists to re-skill and rejuvenate. The aim is to cultivate arts leaders with the ability to carve out and sustain successful careers in the performing arts industry.

Training Demonstration

Closely mentored by the Zen Zen Zo Training Centre Director, Lynne Bradley, the 8 selected Interns undertake a series of intensive training units (acting, physical theatre training, auditioning, networking, marketing, grant writing, teaching, directing, administration, finance, preparing budgets, fitness training, & sports psychology). They also get to meet some of Australia’s preeminent Arts Leaders in a series of seminars entitled Meet the Masters, and perform in a Zen Zen Zo IN THE RAW production.

The 2012 Interns also traveled to Japan to train and perform with Dairakudakan and Butoh Master Maro Akaji. Upon graduating in December they experienced a great deal of success with Rian Howlett being offered a place at WAAPA, Jay Masih being accepted into the Lecoq School in Paris, Soonufat Supramaniam, Nick Trethan, and Billy StewardKeed moving into teaching and administrative positions at Zen Zen Zo (in both the Training Centre and the Performance Company), Tina Torabi being cast in Zen Zen Zo’s 1001 Nights (a co-production with QTC & QMF), and Oscar Blain-Jackson being offered work with the Danger Ensemble and returning to Melbourne to launch an innovative new arts space, Wruff ‘n’ Tumble. Past graduates continue to experience extraordinary success, including director Steven Mitchell Wright (The Danger Ensemble), producer Dave Sleswick (Motherboard Productions), Jeremy Neideck (Red Moon Rising), Fleur Noble (2 Dimensional Life of Her), as well as Shiv Palekar & James Raggett (currently at NIDA), and Emma Smith & Alex Mikic (currently at WAAPA), and Arika McElroy-Lacosta (currently at VCA). Interns 2012 with Lynne Bradley & Maro Akaji Page 17

In April 2012, we launched the first Pozible campaign raising over $3000 for the production of Vikram and the Vampire. Over 58 supporters from all over Australia pledged their support to the company through this online campaign, including many arts leaders. Zen Zen Zo wishes to also acknowledge the continued support of PowerArts for the company during 2012, through creative development funding for our two new touring children productions Marcus and the Manic Music Makers and Macbeth — A Porter’s Tale. This direct financial support has been vital in facilitating the generation of new work for the company and continues a fruitful association with PowerArts, begun with 2011 with Cabaret.

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Bille Brown, Famous Faces Fundraiser

Fundraising continued steadily during 2012, and took the form of gala evenings during our Old Museum productions, as well as specifically targeted activities such as our “Famous Faces Fundraiser” which was a raffle run throughout the year for three generously donated signed photographs of Cate Blanchett, Geoffrey Rush and the late Bille Brown. These authentic signed photographs were taken during theatre performances by renowned photographer Robert McFarlane and Jezz Smith who contributed these photos in support of Zen Zen Zo.

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2012 saw Zen Zen Zo taking bold steps towards engaging with its key markets (youth and schools group) via reawakening and revitalising its marketing activities. The company employed 3 new marketing strategies in 2012: 1.

New Zen Zen Zo website

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enhanced Social Media Campaign (Facebook, Twitter, Blogs)

3.

Annual Season Brochure

Our web statistics and analytics have long shown that our key market audience is youth aged between 15–25, a group that spends significant amounts of time online as a means of engagement. Although still visually pleasing and functional, the company recognised that the old website had now entered an era where there was much room for growth. Employing the creative genius of web developer Rufus Lane (Moodra Interactive), we implemented cuttingedge technology in terms of an interactive web site that is both computer and iPad/iPhone interactive. Board Member Michael Burke (Liquid Animation) also provided highly valuable feedback along the way. Schools were also consulted to ensure a youth-friendly website, which still captured the innovative boundary-pushing aesthetic Zen Zen Zo is renowned for. Zen Zen Zo’s social media engagement took a great step in 2012 too. Under Michael Burke’s guidance and Merlynn Tong’s application of new ideas, Zen Zen Zo took on an active role in Facebook and Twitter. Accounts were consolidated and pulled together, resulting in a fan base of more than 4000 people (a 50% increase from 2011). The company committed to regular posting and connecting with our audiences. Our Twitter account has also seen a deeper connection not only with fans and friends but industry partners as well. For the first time in 2012, Zen Zen Zo published a full season brochure that features the performance company and training centre activities. This brochure resulted in a significant surge in early 2013 bookings. As an internal exercise, it was also humbling as well as reaffirming to acknowledge the sheer size of the number of activities that this company undertakes, and to witness its growth over the last 21 years.

New Website Page 19

A P t W

1_991 StAnley St eASt_eASt briSbAne QueenSlAnd 4169 Po box 7336 eASt briSbAne QueenSlAnd 4169 07 3391 3413 F 07 3891 2368 WWW.briAntuckercPA.org

liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards legislation Audited financial reports are available upon request.

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Creative Generation: “I Wanna Be a Superhero!”