Letter that started the BlakStage Alliance

National Indigenous Theatre Company Meeting
Dear Indigenous Artist, Community Member, Indigenous
Theatre Supporter,

As you might already know there's been some talk of establishing a 'National' or 'Flagship' Indigenous Theatre Company with ambitious resourcing. The idea has been around for ages and if you think about the ambitions of ANTT in the 80's and 90's, we've been thinking about it for awhile. We are at a critical time and an opportunity may eventuate under the new government to create such a company.

Due to the slog of working in the arts I think we are in danger of losing some of our most talented Theatre artists if we don't gather resources to create a company that can - create works of scale -develop career paths for artists - and develop and expand the audiences for Indigenous Theatre across the country and across the world. These aims take resources that we have been unable to secure over the past 20 years.

Many people have opinions of what this Company could be and to this end the Harold Mitchell Foundation has made available $10K to facilitate a meeting of some of the key stake holders in Melbourne 15-16th Dec.

At this meeting it is hoped that we can hammer out some of the basic
principles of the new body, it's relationship to the existing Indigenous Theatre Companies, the structure and Artistic Brief.

A chance to Dream a bit.

A broad cross section of people will be attending and unfortunately we can't
afford to fly everyone in to be part of this meeting. If you are passionate about the idea (for or against) or you have dreams for what this company could be please write your ideas down and send them before Dec 15th to wesleyjamesenoch@bigpond.com or Wesley Enoch PO Box 885 Nth Melbourne 3051 Victoria

(Please indicate your name , where you come from and
if you represent any particular community/company/council etc) These ideas will be tabled, debated and collated.

Have your say.

Do you think it's a good idea? What kind of work should a National Company create? How would it be National? What does that mean? What Role does Theatre play in our community?

What models of relationships with existing companies could there be?

If you'd like to attend please contact me for details of times and location.

Thanks heaps.

Wesley Enoch.
Freelance Director/Writer