Theatre Director, Clara Solly Slade was the 2017 recipient of the Helpmann Academy Neil Curnow Award. Valued at up to $10,000, Clara used the funds from the award to intern for three world-renowned organisations – La MaMa Experimental Theatre Company in Brooklyn, New York City, the H.E.A.T Collective in New York City, and Working Classroom in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
We recently sat down with Clara to learn about her experience, and why the Neil Curnow Award is a must for all budding theatre makers and performers.
Describe your practice?
My practise can be quite varied, but it always tends to sit in the performing arts and currently that is predominately as a theatre director. This has ranged from Opera and Theatre in a more mainstage setting, to working consistently in youth spaces and sometimes sitting in the wonderfully weird world of experimental performance art. I have found myself a pretty perfect balance where I get to make art in spaces where sometimes I get to flare out and be messy and sometimes, I get to work in really refined detailed modes. I love any project where there is a live musician in the room. I think music is the bedrock for all good performance work.
Describe your Neil Curnow experience in three words?
Illuminating, expanding, and inspiring.
How did that experience help shape your creative career?
The Neil Curnow taught me to have more integrity as an artist. The biggest thing I learnt is that I should follow projects and passions that inspire, ignite, and interest me. Not projects that I think will make me ‘successful’, or to feel the pressure to produce work that I think is wanted from me. To ask first the interesting questions and everything else will follow.
What role did Helpmann play in your creative career?
Honestly the Helpmann Academy made my career. Through their grant and fellowship programs I was able to go on overseas trips to do further study in London, Italy and New York. Then through the support of Helpmann and The Diana and James Ramsay Foundation, I was able to work full time with the State Theatre Company of South Australia and the State Opera of South Australia through their emerging director’s fellowship. Without Helpmann’s support I would not have the skills, connections or confidence to be now making my own work as an independent theatre maker. I owe so much to the generous donors and amazing staff.
What would you say to people considering applying for Neil Curnow?
Start your application yesterday. Honestly don’t wait a moment longer. Also reach out to the staff at Helpmann, they are there to help you create the strongest application possible and it is a waste not to get in touch with them as early as possible. Also be authentic in finding a project or program that suits you. Think about what an exciting next step for your career will be.
The Neil Curnow Award is available to final-year students and graduates aged between 18 and 30. The purpose of the award is to support an emerging artist to undertake further study or career development in acting/theatre performance or direction.
Valued at up to $7,000 for graduates wishing to undertake interstate study and up to $10,000 for graduates wishing to undertake international study, the award supports the recipient to undertake further study or an internship at a recognised institution.
APPLICATIONS ARE NOW OPEN THE 2022 NEIL CURNOW AWARD AND CLOSE MONDAY 3 OCTOBER 2022 AT 11:59PM (ACST)
YOU CAN FIND OUT MORE/APPLY HERE.
The Neil Curnow Award is presented in partnership with the Independent Arts Foundation.
Image: Clara Solly-Slade, recipient of the 2017 Neil Curnow Award at Working Classroom in New Mexico. Photo courtesy of the artist.