PRESENTER S INFORMATION
Contents COMPANY PROFILE... 3 ABOUT THE SHOW... 4 PERFORMANCE SPECIFICS... 6 AUDIENCE ENGAGEMENT... 8 MARKETING... 10 PRODUCTION DETAILS... 14 CONTACTS... 16 Page 2 of 16
COMPANY PROFILE As a performer, Leah Cotterell has toured regionally in Queensland and across Australia for 20 years: with the Queensland Theatre Company (1994); with the Arts Council (1997-1999) and with Musica Viva In Schools program (2002 to the present). As an independent producer, Leah has been responsible for attracting and acquitting funding of over $251,623 including $71,417 from the Australia Council, $135,671 from Arts Queensland and Queensland Health and $27,235 from the Brisbane City Council. All of her projects have been motivated by a passion for community engagement and designed to showcase the talents and skills of her musical collaborators, including: Little Birung Megan Samardin s story of six generations of a proud North Queensland Indigenous family (Cairns Indigenous Arts Fair 2010, Judith Wright Centre 2011, ArTour 2013) www.youtube.com/watch?v=9cc0vgu8xn4 John Rodgers & Megan Sarmardin s LCot.149.Little Birung CD Booklet.indd 1 19/10/11 8:11 PM Whoa Tilly! Children s original music with vocalist Barbara Fordham s jazz group (Sydney Children s Festival 2010, Melbourne Recital Centre 2011) www.youtube.com/watch?v=cx270aym2nq Foolish Things Leah and Helen Russell s oral history project on the experience of Brisbane Musicians over 60 years (Queensland Biennial Festival of Music 2003, Judith Wright Centre 2005) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nomknerhm9e Leah wants to offer her new work for Queensland touring in order to expand on a strong debut in 2015 including performances in premier venues and presentations in the mental health and education contexts. Leah is currently developing a range of presentations for conferences and forums including her appearance as keynote speaker for the TAFE Queensland s Learning and Teaching Excellence Conference at the Brisbane Convention Centre, January 2016. These offerings may represent a unique and valuable opportunity to regional touring partners for community engagement. Page 3 of 16
ABOUT THE SHOW SHOW SYNPOSIS 'Leah Cotterell could sing the shopping list and melt your heart.' (Rhythms Magazine 2002) is a moving musical memoir of a family living with agoraphobia, schizophrenia and dementia. As a child carer, a life-long advocate and a witness to the journeys of her mother and brother, Leah Cotterell reflects on both the painful stigma of mental illness and the joys of recovery. In an act of love she celebrates the resilience of her family even as she struggles to manage their final transition into full time care. She considers this simple definition of mental health: the ability to work and to love. In '' Leah reflects not only on the complexity of loving people with mental illness but also the harsh ironies of dealing with mental health systems that don't work and can't love. Leah's singing balances sorrow with beauty. Through humour and a treasury of nostalgic family images Leah evokes a grace never lost, even in the midst of trauma. The 75-minute performance is supported by solo accompaniment and extensive projected movies and images. Leah also gives presentations in mental health contexts. Leah tells her story in interview with ABC radio's Sarah Kanowski: http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2015/07/24/4280008.htm ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Writer, Producer and Performer: Musical Director and Accompanist: Dramaturge and Director: Leah Cotterell Steve Russell Sean Mee The work has been self-produced and was the major output of Leah s Master of Music Research at the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University BIOGRAPHIES Leah Cotterell Writer, Producer and Performer Leah is an acclaimed vocalist who has performed for 30 years with a group of top professional musicians in a wide range of settings and styles. In the 1980 s Leah found national success in cabaret and jazz with multiple residencies, appearances at national festivals and on TV. In the 1990 s she developed as an artist through a Bachelor of Music, recording projects and song writing, with songs performed and recorded by artists included Katie Noonan ( Second Sight ) and featured on television and radio promotions ( The Last Dance at Cloudland ). She also recorded albums with Melbourne band project Black Taxi that received ABC radio play. Since 2002 Leah has toured with an a Capella program developed for Musica Viva, performing in Page 4 of 16
schools and community concerts in Western Australia, the Northern Territory, Victoria, New South Wales, Tasmania and extensively through Queensland. Since 2003 Leah has produced a series of new works that showcase her musical collaborators and focus on stories of human experience including Foolish Things a celebration of Brisbane s live music scene since WWII, The Ultimate Prize, a cabaret of John Rodgers song writing, Whoa Tilly! new songs for children by Barbara Fordham s jazz group, Little Birung telling the story of six generations of Megan Sarmardin s proud North Queensland Indigenous family and The Primitif Requests the Pleasure remembering Peter Hackworths s famous coffee lounge, the home of Brisbane s modern jazz scene in the late 50 s. Leah has recently submitted her final papers for the Master of Music Research degree at the Queensland Conservatorium. Selected Links: Supper Club A slideshow of 30 years in three minutes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-rvuhukq4u Mr Greenaway Video of Black Taxi on ABC TV: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l7qxjcckyhm Review of Duets album with Helen Russell: http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/dailyplanet/leah-cotterell--helenrussell/3531508 Steve Russell Musical Director and Accompanist Long regarded as one of Australia s finest jazz pianists and accompanists, Steve Russell has appeared with a huge array of national and international jazz, blues and pop artists in a career spanning forty years. His compositions have been described by Australian jazz doyen Tony Gould as innovative and state of the art, with two award winning CD releases. Steve is also a passionate educator, currently teaching piano, improvisation and music technology at JMI (Jazz Music Institute), and piano, keyboards and ensemble in the Contemporary Music Program at Southern Cross University. Sean Mee Dramaturge and remount Director Throughout his career, Sean has sought to create an Australian theatre that connects to our landscape and history and speaks truthfully and joyfully to our lived experience. Sean has worked across the full spectrum of theatrical practice; as an actor, director, writer, producer and advocate. He began his career at La Boite Theatre Company as an actor in 1976. From 1981-1985, he was a member of the Acting Ensemble of TN! Theatre Company and then artistic coordinator of TN!2 from 1986-1989. From 1990-1998, Sean taught within the QUT Page 5 of 16
Academy of the Arts in Acting and Direction. In 2000, he was appointed Artistic Director of La Boite Theatre Company. In 2009, he returned to teaching as a Lecturer in Drama QUT Creative Industries where he holds the position of senior lecturer in Drama. In recent years, Sean has worked extensively with the Queensland Music Festival creating large scale regional events including Bob Cat Dancing (2003), Bobcat Magic (2005) and Red Cap (2007) in Mount Isa, The Road We re On (2009) in Charleville, Behind the Cane (2011) in Bowen, in Gladstone directing Boomtown (2013) and most recently in Logan City as creative director of Under This Sky: Logan s Musical Celebration (2015). PERFORMANCE SPECIFICS DURATION The full performance runs 75 Minutes Excerpts have also been presented running for 10 minutes, 20 minutes, 30 minutes and a 60- minute presentation was performed at Woodford Festival. Question and Answer sessions after the performance are welcomed wherever a dialogue is acoustically possible. SUITABLE VENUES This performance has been successful in black box venues and in the QPAC Concert Hall. Excerpts have been performed in function rooms and on outdoor stages. MAXIMUM NUMBER OF PERFORMANCES PER WEEK 6 performances MINIMUM BREAK BETWEEN PERFORMANCES 60 minutes APRA OBLIGATIONS This performance is a musical concert with monologues. Copyright applies to the songs via standard APRA Return. The songs performed in are: Supper Club Music Jamie Clark, Words Leah Cotterell 2003 The Final Stroke Music Jamie Clark, Words Leah Cotterell 2009 Red Rose Music Jamie Clark, Words Leah Cotterell 2009 Page 6 of 16
The Long Day Music Helen Russell, Words Leah Cotterell 2014 Let the Great Big World Keep Turning Music Nat Ayar, Words Clifford Grey 1917 Stardust Music Hoagy Charmichael, Words Mitchell Parrish 1927 Red Sails in the Sunset Music Williams, Words Kennedy 1935 God Bless the Child Music Herzog, Words Holiday 1939 Annie s Song Music and Words John Denver 1973 The Carnival is Over Russian folk melody, lyrics Springfield 1965 Music Helen Russell, Words Leah Cotterell 2014 Now Music Jamie Clark, Words Leah Cotterell 2008 Small Blessings Music Helen Russell, Words Leah Cotterell and Meg Kanowski 1999 TOURING PERSONNEL The touring party consists of 3 people. Name Leah Cotterell Steve Russell TBC Role Performer and Workshop Leader Musical Director and Accompanist Lighting and Audio Operator PERFORMANCE HISTORY Year Venue Number of performances 2014 Recital Hall Queensland Conservatorium 1 2015 QPAC Concert Hall 20 minute excerpt 2015 The Princess Theatre Woolloongabba 30 minute excerpt 2015 Musgrave Park South Brisbane 30 minute excerpt 2015 Brisbane Convention Centre 12 minute excerpt 2015 Woodford Folk Festival 2 performances programmed Page 7 of 16
AUDIENCE ENGAGEMENT OVERVIEW tells stories from lived experience. Not only is this a powerful subject, the performance has real emotional impact and audiences have consistently sought to share their own experiences with Leah after the show. Because Leah aims to model acceptance, in many cases, there have been cathartic tears and hugs. By extending the possibility for interaction through workshops and formal presentations, Leah seeks to normalise and de-mystify a sensitive subject. The most appropriate extensions of this material fall into two categories: 1. Exploring the creative process of personal storytelling though song, implicating the underlying mechanisms of emotion induction and empathy in music and managing important issues of consent and narrative ethics 2. Exploring Leah s experience as an advocate and family carer and the failure of community mental health systems within a framework of responsible ethics, supported by expert input from a mental health professional Regional audiences in Australia are especially impacted by a shortfall of mental health services and stress-inducing situational factors. The success of this work is to support feelings of acceptance for the discussion of mental health issues and to suggest strategies for resilience through self-expression. DESCRIPTION / DETAILS There is a range of community engagement options based on either: Exploring Leah s artistic process in telling difficult personal stories: o Model 1: Lecture style presentation about Leah s artistic journey, exploring artistic process, exploring processes of emotion and empathy in music and narrative o Model 2: Workshop style conversation about artistic process Exploring the benefits of sharing life stories in order to challenge stigma, and a consideration of responsible ethics in building relationships and connections o Model 3: Leah with Helena Roennfeldt make a lecture style presentation on the implications of Leah s story in relation to mental health systems and community mental health o Model 4: Leah and Helena lead a workshop on community mental health with a participant group NOTES: For mental health sector workshops, experienced Mental Health professional Helena Roennfeldt is available to join the group on a negotiated basis Helena s biography is available on application Workshop activities are most valuable when the numbers of participants allow for the exchange of stories and feedback Page 8 of 16
COST The costs of workshop activities would be finally negotiated in relation to the specific needs and capacities of the community group. These costs are indicative only. (Leah is not registered for GST) Model 1: Public speaking engagement with an AV presentation Leah with AV = $300 Leah with AV and accompanist = $600 Model 2: A conversation about the themes of the performance Leah only = $300 Model 3: A lecture style presentation with Helena Roennfeldt Fees = $600 Add travel TBC Model 4: A workshop with Helena Roennfeldt Fees = $600 Add travel TBC Include follow up Skype meeting $1,000 NOTE: Where costs for Helena s travel are a barrier, in a small group setting Skype conferencing is a cost effective offering TARGET AUDIENCE FOR COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT Workshop materials and processes can be tailored to the participants, ranging from: Writers and performers associations People with lived experience of mental illness, Carers and families of people with mental illness Mental Health sector workers People performing other community and public service roles For example, a one-hour workshop on Navigating mental health issues in the classroom is currently being prepared for the TAFE Queensland teachers conference. Page 9 of 16
MARKETING MARKETING COPY A moving musical memoir of family mental illness Short is a moving musical memoir of a family impacted by anxiety, schizophrenia and dementia. Audiences describe it as soulful, uplifting and brilliant. As a child carer, an advocate and a witness to the life journeys of her family members, Leah Cotterell has encountered significant failures in mental health systems. Her insight into her experiences drives this engaging emotional journey. Through songs, humour and nostalgic family images Leah Cotterell evokes a beauty and grace never lost, even in the midst of trauma. Extended is a moving memoir of family mental illness. Audiences describe it as soulful, uplifting and brilliant. In this performance Leah Cotterell reflects on the difficulties of loving family members impacted by anxiety, schizophrenia and dementia. As an advocate and carer trying to manage the transition of loved ones into nursing home care, she has encountered significant failures in our mental health systems. Her insight into her experiences drives this engaging emotional journey. Through songs, humour and nostalgic family images Leah evokes a beauty and grace never lost, even in the midst of trauma. Leah s mother Mavis was a beautiful young woman who was overwhelmed by the great tragedy of stillborn twins leading to shock therapy, medication and decades of agoraphobia. Leah s brother was a brilliant young man cut down by schizophrenic psychosis leading to a life of dependency and dysfunction. Leah s observations as a daughter and a sister focus on the strength and resilience of her family members. Her frustrations and anger focus on the stigma that continues to underlie the isolation of people living with mental illness. Leah Cotterell s stories of family, love and loss have been embraced by audiences at QPAC and Woodford Festival and she has been invited to address mental health, carer and teacher forums. Leah is an acclaimed vocalist whose work in jazz and cabaret has been a mainstay in Queensland for thirty years, with dazzling reviews for her contributions to the Women in Voice series. Leah also received ABC radio airplay with Melbourne recording project Black Taxi and with her stripped back duets with double bassist, Helen Russell. Leah has toured regional Australia for the Queensland Theatre Company, Queensland Arts Council and Musica Viva. Leah tells her story in interview with ABC radio's Sarah Kanowski: http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2015/07/24/4280008.htm Page 10 of 16
MARKETING SUMMARY Publicity: Engagement with local media through appealing audio and video will aim to generate interest from arts and music audiences. Broad interest in personal and family storytelling will generate effective media through interviews and the publication of Leah s appealing nostalgic family images. Relationships: Partnerships with local presenters allows for the development of relationships with a very wide range of community organisations that may have professional and personal interest in antistigma programs. Leah would be very interested in preparing campaigns that engage community groups, including: Community associations o Carer groups (Leah performed for Aftercare and ARAFMI in 2015) o Mental Health consumer groups (Leah performed for Brook Red in 2015) Mental Health organisations Queensland Health and Hospital staff Schools and teacher groups (Leah gave a presentation at St Rita s College, Ascot, in 2014) Local Council and State Government Departments MEDIA QUOTES 'Leah Cotterell could sing the shopping list and melt your heart.' (Rhythms Magazine 2002) Fine music is being made around the world on any night but it s hard to believe there was anything, anywhere that could have been better than that emotional performance. (The Courier Mail 1999) AUDIENCE REVIEWS These comments were collected at the first performance of the show at the Queensland Conservatorium in November 2014. Incredibly powerful sharing of stories The photo imagery coupled with the songs worked beautifully Each song was like a gift, a jewel on a garment - another way of knowing Thanks very much for such a brave and accomplished performance and presentation We need shows about this subject. We need more exposure regarding this subject altogether. Your performance was very emotional and healing How wonderfully open you are to share your story. Thank you. To overcome so much. Even though your mother didn't smile - it was beautiful to see you smile despite everything you've been through Page 11 of 16
COLLEAGUE RECOMMENDATIONS 1. This feedback was after the performance of an excerpt at QPAC s Concert Hall in June 2015: Melissa Western, Artist and Producer M: 0414 267 009 melissa@melissawestern.com It was such a pleasure to attend Women in Voice for WOW at QPAC last Sunday 21 June. Your set was a particular highlight for me and I thought I might take the time to give you my feedback on exactly why I think the work you presented is both important and incredibly effective. Drawing on your own family history and using that source material to inform your new work is inspiring. The resulting music is beautiful and brave... Your short set shone a light on taboo subjects we often shy away from in everyday life: mental illness, death, institutionalised care. Through the common meeting ground of music and of course your honest, often humorous and heartfelt banter, these themes were afforded space to breathe. From my perspective as an audience member, I was able to connect with my feelings about these issues through your songs. 2. This feedback was provided after a contracted performance October 2015: Sharon Parker, Program Manager, Mental Health Carers, Arafmi Queensland Inc. Ph: 07 3822 3333 Email: redlandsmanager@arafmiqld.org We recently had Leah Cotterell perform at a Mental Health Carers Forum, as part of Carers Week. Leah provided a combination of telling of her personal story as a carer, and sang two songs pertinent to her experiences as a carer. The combination of story and song, set to the background of pictures from her family album and images of her childhood home, was perfectly suited to the target audience. Leah s heartfelt, and powerful performance set a scene of personal strength, resilience and vulnerability. Attendees commented that Leah s story and songs resonated with them, with many in the audience being moved to tears. Leah has a rare gift of being able to gently tell her story in a genuine and matter of fact manner, showing her wisdom, humility and resilience. Her haunting, powerful and beautifully controlled voice took the audience on a journey, and left many of them wanting to hear more. VIDEO LINKS Live Performance Video: : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=igoeblxtmna Stardust: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xjb4dpbai7q Let the Great Big World Keep Turning : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uoh90tosjli Page 12 of 16
Video Montages: Small Blessings: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yoeaqcjg-w0 Supper Club: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-rvuhukq4u IMAGES Images up to 10mb available via email, larger images will be provided online Live from video by Luke Constable 2014 (Small files suited to web) Portraits by Ben Hackworth 2015 (High res available) NOTE: New portraits will be commissioned in 2016 Sample of Family images: (High res available) Page 13 of 16
MARKETING MATERIALS Flyers and posters are available Broadcast quality raw footage is available SPONSOR OR OTHER ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This work has been produced independently PRODUCTION DETAILS TECHNICAL SUMMARY Audio: Because the musical elements of the work are central to the experience and the soundscape is so sparing (vocal and instrumental duets) a quality sound system tuned to the space is essential Leah requires a quality headset microphone (she can supply headset and receiver) as well as a quality vocal microphone. Steve would be thrilled to find a quality, recently tuned piano in the venue but travels with a high quality electronic piano Lights: Three focussed specials and a number of mood evoking general states are sufficient for a full presentation Less formal or adapted excerpts can be presented in any light conditions that allow for the AV elements Projection: If presented at a day time or open air event the preferred mode of visual presentation would be a TV Monitor (57 minimum) EXAMPLE SCHEDULE TOTAL Unload equipment 0.30 mins If required, focus lights 1.00 hour (this may have occurred before arrival) Set and check sound 1.00 hour Check AV 0.30 mins 3.00 hours CREW REQUIRED FROM VENUE One venue staff member will be required to provide access to audio equipment, focus lights and set up the AV system. Page 14 of 16
STAGE Onstage elements include: The accompanist with their instrument Stage Right, A minimal set including a chair and three suitcases Stage Left, The vocal mic set on a stand in the Centre. Leah to supply Leah will supply the set elements Venue to supply Vocal microphone and stand LIGHTING Specials for three areas on stage are required. General washes can be set in the bump in. Leah to supply If touring to very small and remote venues lighting trees can be hired and carried on tour. Venue to supply Standard lighting to meet the requirements SOUND Leah uses both a headset mic and a quality vocal mic. Her accompanist uses either an electronic keyboard with a line in to the audio system or, where there is a tuned quality piano, an array of instrument mic (minimum 2). The sound system can be small, provided it is sufficient to the space, and of a high quality with enough EQ capacity to be tuned to the venue. Leah to supply Leah will supply a headset microphone and receiver. If required Leah can carry a small vocal PA. Venue to supply Many civic and public venues in Queensland now have quality in house PAs. Technical liaison will resolve the capacity of the venue to supply an adequate sound system. AV The AV includes up to 20 still images and 10 short movies. Leah will operate a remote to cue the AV. Page 15 of 16
The optimal arrangement is to be able to have access to the Macbook operating the AV onstage in order to manage any risk. Leah to supply Leah will supply Macbook and adapters to VGA and HD cables, also a 5-metre HD cable. Venue to supply The venue to provide access to either a projection system (with sufficient cabling to reach the stage) or a large format TV monitor on stage og sufficient size to read in the venue. WARDROBE The costumes are simple blacks with some decorative notes. Venue to supply A dressing room is required. FREIGHT NOTES This production will travel in one large car, carrying a small PA as a back up system. CONTACTS For all enquiries: Leah Cotterell leahcotterell@gmail.com 0432 092 936 35 Albert Street Woolloongabba, QLD, 4102 Page 16 of 16