Rio Tinto, Water Corporation & Black Swan State Theatre Co. Take Home West Australian Creative Partnerships Regional Award

At an awards ceremony held at Government House on 4 September, the partnership between Rio Tinto, the Water Corporation and BLACK SWAN State Theatre Company was announced as the West Australian winner of the Creative Partnerships Regional Award.

Both Principal Partner Rio Tinto and Associate and Regional Partner Water Corporation are long-standing supporters of BLACK SWAN. The award recognises the joint commitment to reach regional audiences with workshops and unique high quality theatre experiences throughout 2012.

The support enabled the Company to premiere the new Australian mainstage work, Signs of Life by Tim Winton in Albany before embarking on a five week tour to nine WA regional communities and then the State Theatre Centre in Perth and the Sydney Opera House.

Another milestone recognised as part of the award was BLACK SWAN's live stage performance of Managing Carmen that was broadcast in real time to audiences across Western Australia. With additional support from Lotterywest, the live broadcast was seen by over 2400 viewers from all corners of the state. Free workshops were also provided to school and community groups.

2012 also marked the beginning of the WA Stories Project in Carnarvon. This pilot project aims to bring local stories to life over an extended engagement period in regional communities. With an initial community consultation period and interviews by the writer Francis Italiano, BLACK SWAN collaborated with the Carnarvon community to create a theatre script unique to the town and its stories.

Rio Tinto is a leading partner in education and arts programmes throughout Western Australia. Trisha Comerford, Manager Community Investment said, "We are proud to partner with BLACK SWAN, as the state's flagship theatre company and pleased to be able to support BLACK SWAN's vital work in the regions. Congratulations to the wonderful team at BLACK SWAN and to the regional communities who participated in their 2012 theatre activity."

Catherine Ferrari, the Water Corporation's General Manager Communications said "Our long term partnership with BLACK SWAN allows us to help enrich people's lives across regional WA by connecting them to creativity, culture and community spirit."

As a state winner, this partnership will go on to be a national finalist for the 2013 Creative Partnerships Australia Awards. The national winners will be announced at the national awards dinner to be held in Canberra on November 18.

BLACK SWAN's regional engagement program is continuing in 2013 with additional support from Lotterywest, Chevron and Virgin Australia with another successful live broadcast, live touring activities, and the WA Stories Project in Carnarvon in the next stage of development. The local capacity building in Carnarvon has continued to grow: Large scale puppeteer and animator Karen Hethey has been matched to the project, and Karen will mentor and up-skill community members, develop the script and create the scenic design, lighting, costume and technical elements for a production in 2014.

Another nominated BLACK SWAN partnership, the Cast Partnership with WorleyParsons, qualified for a 2013 Good Practice Recognition.

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