Women In Theatre 2019 Participants Announced

Melbourne Theatre Company has announced the 15 new participants in its 2019 Women in Theatre Program.

Commencing next week, this year's successful applicants within the core stream are Xanthe Beesley (Artistic Direction), Rachel Chant (Directing), Grace Ferguson (Emerging Sound Design), Roshelle Fong (Multi-Disciplinary), Amy Hardingham (Creative Direction), Romanie Harper (Set & Costume Design), Penny Harpham (Directing), Rachel Lee (Lighting Design), Alice Pollard (Production Management), Emily Sheehan (Playwriting), Emily Sweeney (Producing), Keziah Warner (Dramaturgy), and Clemence Williams (Sound Design & Composition).

A further two applicants have been selected to participate in the new technical design stream, offering paid design associate placements on MTC 2019 productions. Amy Holley (Sound Design) will join the Così creative team, and Clare Springett (Lighting Design) will work on Shakespeare in Love.

MTC Executive Director and co-CEO Virginia Lovett said, 'It's with great pleasure that we welcome these 15 participants to the 2019 program, and are particularly proud to introduce two new paid opportunities for women in the fields of Sound and Lighting Design. We endeavour to effect a tangible change to gender representation as we continue to support successful and sustainable careers for women in the performing arts.'

Now in its sixth year, MTC's Women in Theatre Program has supported 57 theatre professionals in their career development to date and continues to provide invaluable opportunities for women working in the sector.

MTC Producer and Women in Theatre Program Curator Martina Murray said, 'Each year we re-evaluate the needs of the sector through open discussion with peer companies and theatre practitioners. The program is designed to have the flexibility to address an ever-evolving industry landscape. In 2019, along with a stronger focus on technical creative design, we have also incorporated a specific focus on personal wellbeing and support resources for nurturing a successful freelance career.'

Over a 12-month period, participants have the chance to familiarise themselves with the culture and inner workings of a major state theatre company and gain insight into its audiences, venues and ongoing core business. The participants also receive one-on-one mentoring from a respected practitioner in their chosen discipline.

This MTC initiative was established in 2014 as the Women Directors Program and later expanded in 2016 to the Women in Theatre Program to include a broader range of disciplines. Since 2016, it has been supported by MTC's Women in Theatre Giving Circle.

For more information about MTC's Women in Theatre Program and the 2018 participants visit mtc.com.au/backstage

For information about other MTC Artist Access Initiatives visit mtc.com.au/artistaccess