Vitalstatistix (arts organisation)

Vitalstatistix, formerly Vitalstatistix National Women's Theatre, is a women's theatre company based in Port Adelaide, South Australia, founded in 1984.

History

Vitalstatistix was founded in 1984 by artists Roxxy Bent, Ollie Black, and Margie Fischer.[1][2] Ollie Black had been a co-founder of Wimmins Circus in Melbourne in 1979,[3] after a group of women performers from Circus Oz staged a one-off performance called Mighty Bonza Whacko Women's Circus. Wimmins Circus dissolved in 1981.[4]

Vitalstatistix toured extensively in regional South Australia as well as interstate in the early years.[2] Itwas originally based in the old Holden factory in Port Adelaide.[5] In 1992 the group moved to the heritage-listed Waterside Workers Hall[5] in Nile Street.[2]

It became known an Australia's most prolific full-time professional women's theatre company,[1][6] and in the 1990s became a national centre for women playwrights and directors.[2] In this role, it was instrumental in the development of many female directors, actors, writers, and designers.[7]

Governance

In 1996, Catherine Fitzgerald was appointed artistic director of the company, a position she held until 2002. During her time, Vitalstatistix commissioned over 40 performances, including premieres, play readings, and national tours.[2]

In 2003, Maude Davey took over the role. She focused on works involving technology, politics, and biology.[2]

When Jane Muller came on board as in 2009 as creative producer/artistic director, she changed direction. The company became more of a creative centre for independent artists and experimental theatre. Fuller was responsible for the conception of the long-running annual show, Adhocracy.[2]

Emma Webb came in 2010 and oversaw the first edition of Adhocracy, and led the company for 14 years. Under her direction, the company undertook a variety of social practice projects and engendered relationships with other performance collectives and presenters around the country. It also provided career support for artists in underrepresented groups, such as queer and Indigenous Australian artists.[2]

As of 2014, the general manager of Vitalstatistix was Helen Sheldon.[5]

In early 2024, Webb stepped down, and in August 2024, Jennifer Greer Holmes, who had been a longterm collaborator, was appointed artistic director.[2]

Events and artists

The organisation is known for a multidisciplinary annual arts event, Adhocracy, which has run from 2010 until[8] the present (2025). The website describes the event as "Vitalstatistix's national hothouse for experimental art and contemporary performance", taking place at the Waterside Workers' Hall, Hart's Mill, and surrounding venues.[9]

Notable artists/groups who have worked with Vitalstatistix include Melbourne-based experimental theatre company The Rabble,[10] Australia's only youth Indigenous performing arts company, Kurraru;[11] Australian playwright Finegan Kruckemeyer, documentary theatre maker Roslyn Oades; former artistic director of State Theatre Company of South Australia, Rosalba Clemente; and former artistic director Catherine Fitzgerald.[12]

Recognition

Vitalstatistix received a South Australian Ruby Award in the 2014 Innovation category for Adhocracy[13] and a 2018 award for Outstanding Contribution by an Organisation or Group.[14]

References

  1. ^ a b Milne, Geoffery (2004). Theatre Australia (un)limited: Australian Theatre Since the 1950s. Amsterdam ; New York, N.Y: Rodopi. p. 284. ISBN 978-9042009301.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i "History". Vitalstatistix. 4 September 2025. Archived from the original on 15 July 2025. Retrieved 27 October 2025.
  3. ^ "Black, Ollie". Women's Museum of Australia. 9 April 2025. Archived from the original on 16 April 2025. Retrieved 27 October 2025.
  4. ^ Black, Ollie (May 2001). "Circus and physical theatre in Australia: an introduction". In Repertoire (PDF). RealTime. p. 41-43. ISBN 0642 47237 8. Retrieved 27 October 2025. Produced by RealTime for the Australia Council
  5. ^ a b c Spain, Katie (5 November 2014). "Comp is icing on the cake for Vitalstatistix threatre company birthday celebrations". The Advertiser. Retrieved 27 October 2025.
  6. ^ Banham, Martin; Brandon, James (21 September 1995). The Cambridge Guide to Theatre. Cambridge University Press. p. 64. ISBN 9780521434379. Vitalstatistix .
  7. ^ Webby, Elizabeth (21 August 2000). The Cambridge Companion to Australian Literature. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 9781139825993.
  8. ^ "Shadow boxing with illusions". themightywonton.com. 19 August 2013. Archived from the original on 21 January 2019. Retrieved 27 October 2025. RealTime issue #116 Aug-Sept 2013 pg. 46
  9. ^ "Vitalstatistix". Adhocracy. Archived from the original on 7 September 2025. Retrieved 27 October 2025.
  10. ^ "Coming Soon: A Feminist Reimagining of Joan of Arc to Hit the Stage in Adelaide". Broadsheet. Retrieved 20 December 2018.
  11. ^ Street, Mark; Cantwell, Terry (2024). Art for Peace. South Australia: Wakefield Press. ISBN 9781923042476.
  12. ^ "On the Couch with Catherine Fitzgerald". Australian Arts Review. 8 November 2013. Retrieved 20 December 2018.
  13. ^ "Robert Hannaford awarded Ruby Lifetime Achievement Award". Australian Arts Review. 7 December 2014. Retrieved 28 October 2025.
  14. ^ Knight, David (4 December 2018). "2018 Ruby Awards winners". The Adelaide Review. Retrieved 28 October 2025.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 unless otherwise noted. Additional terms may apply for the media files.