What
Brisbane-based multi-arts performer and director Chalise van Wyngaardt undertook a mentorship as part of the 2022 Zen Zen Zo Creative Entrepreneur Internship program.
Chalise is recognised as a prize-winning spoken word artist, poet, performer and playwright with experience working with Zen Zen Zo and Thomas E.S. Kelly of Karul Projects.
For her mentorship, Chalise worked with Lynne Bradley and First Nations artistic director Nicole Reilly to strengthen skills and networking opportunities with the aim to develop:
- the new work Pansy
- establish a new LGBTQIA+ theatre company.
Charlise said:
“My goal is to fuse my extensive experience in poetry and performance, as well as my studies in psychotherapy, to create queer theatre with a therapeutic approach; directing poetic and transformative productions that tell queer stories.
“With these productions, I aim to bring healing to my (LGBTQIA+) community, and to raise awareness of our diverse stories to new audiences around the world. I strive to drive social change in Queensland, Australia, and the world one powerful queer story at a time, while also creating employment opportunities for LGBTQIA+ artists.
“Working with Zen Zen Zo in their Creative Entrepreneur Internship will provide the training in directing, producing, and business management skills I need to fast-track the development of my talent and leadership and to create sustainability in my practice.
"It will also provide me with the networks and contacts to propel my career to the next level of professionalism, ensuring that these queer stories are widely told, the storytellers widely celebrated, and through sharing and celebrating our stories, our communities will be deeply strengthened.”
When and where
July – December 2022 in Brisbane
Key stats
- 6 month mentorship
- 1 new job
- 1 new work in progress
Arts Queensland investment
Arts Queensland investment of $7000 through the Individuals Fund in January 2022.
Outcomes
Skills development:
- Gaining skills, knowledge and confidence
- Developed a strong peer group
- Gained employment with Zen Zen Zo Theatre Company
Share our stories and celebrate our storytellers:
- Further developed new work Pansy
- Focuses on the discovery of queer sexuality in high school
Learnings and reflections
Chalise said:
“I now have stronger industry connections. I can dream further than before as an individual performer and also as a director. I have the practical skills and knowledge, as well as ongoing mentorship, to make that happen.
“I learned how to pitch a show as a producer, and how to create a work-in-progress as a director.
“Prior to undertaking the internship I had never directed movement or choreography, or undertaken a conceptual development with multiple people using my idea.
“I have learned how to work with a team of creatives and also have established avenues to increase my knowledge in the future.
“I expanded my practice into new horizons, through utilising ensembles, applying therapeutic techniques to cast, telling different queer stories to what I initially expected. I learned how to work in a team, and further conceptualised my practice into a company.
“My audience has always been LGBTQIA+ people and young people. I have further established this. However, I have expanded my understanding of how to reach this audience, especially through the production unit of the internship. This involved a producer listening to our pitches and suggesting markets for the work. I learned about festivals and venues for the target audience that would be interested in my works.
“The most rewarding learning outcome, which was unexpected, was how far I still have to go as an individual performer.
“I learned how to put together a creative team, and more importantly how to believe in myself and my idea. How to sell a work. How to tour. I feel emotional and relieved to have this industry knowledge delivered to me by professionals without having to guess like so many emerging artists have to do.
“I've been told time and time again that I am an established artist; this program has given me the confidence to take on that title.
“Finally, I developed a great deal personally. I developed a growth mindset and learned the value of being connected to a creative community.
“Thank you so much for awarding me with this invaluable opportunity, which has forever impacted my career.
Tips for others
It was new and surprising to learn how much more rewarding and expansive a work can be if it's truly collaborative.
What next?
Chalise said:
“Through this internship I have been offered an opportunity to join Zen Zen Zo as a core company member, which I accepted.
“In 2023 I worked with Zen Zen Zo theatre company on projects, while focusing on finishing my Bachelor of Counselling and Psychotherapy.
Since starting the internship, I have won the 2022 Nimbin Performance Poetry World Cup and was shortlisted for Queensland Poetry Award 2023 XYZ Prize for Excellence is Spoken Word.
“The internship has equipped me with the tools to take my career as a creator to the next level” .
Find out more
This case study was first published 17 Jul 2023.