Phoebe Sullivan

My name is Phoebe Sullivan and I’m an independent artist and theatre maker based in Perth, Western Australia.

In 2016 I graduated with a Bachelor in Performance Making from the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts, and have spent the past three years cultivating artistic relations within the independent arts sector here in Perth. I have worked on several independent projects as part of Fringe World and have also performed in seasons at The Blue Room Theatre and Metro Arts in Brisbane. I am also the co-founder of independent theatre company, Your Mouth Collective, which has recently been granted support by Queensland Theatre in 2017 to remount and redevelop an original work. I have included a link to the company’s website here: http://www.ymcollective.com/

As an emerging artist who does not identify as disabled, I am conscious of creating work that is accessible to all audiences, and so, am applying for this residency in order to expand my understanding of how such works can be made. Inspired by UK based performer, Jess Thom, and her “relaxed performances” movement in her show ‘Backstage In Biscuitland’, this opportunity will enable me to create shows with an all-inclusive nature. The residency will also provide a platform for me to engage and work alongside Deaf disabled artists and may lead to future collaborations where this knowledge is integrated into our practice. In addition, any opportunity to learn from Jenny Sealey would be invaluable to a young artist, such as myself, who would take away so much from her teachings as both an artist and artistic director of a world-renown theatre company.

I’m excited to see opportunities of this nature presented in Perth. Coming from a small coastal town in Queensland where such inclusion was unheard of, being able to participate in the change that needs to happen within the arts in Australia would be greatly rewarding indeed.