Who is Katrina Cornwell?
The Artistic Director of Riot Stage Youth Theatre or a busy 30-something year old woman who refuses to grow up.
What would you do differently to what you do now?
My back up plan was always to become a chiropractor or physiotherapist, but that would mean giving other people massages everyday. I think I just wanted the massages.
Who inspires you and why?
Back to Back Theatre creates productions with an ensemble of actors with perceived mental disabilities. Their work is entertaining, political, challenges the form of theatre and asks its audience to consider their perception of themselves and others.
What would you do to make a difference in the world?
Get young people talking honestly about race relations in Australia.
Favourite holiday destination and why?
Golden Bay in New Zealand – middle of nowhere, book-reading, beach walking paradise.
When friends come to town, what attraction would you take then to, and why?
I always take people to Vegie Bar in Fitzroy, but only because I work in theatre so my friends are all vegetarian or vegan.
What are you currently reading?
Grant application guidelines.
What are you currently listening to?
The sleepy silence of Melbourne post White Night.
Happiness is?
A good coffee made by a charming Melbourne hipster.
What does the future hold for you?
Coming up, is the Riot Stage production Forever City at LaMama Courthouse. Later in the year I will also be performing in Virgins and Cowboys at Theatre Works. In between these projects I will be completing my Masters of Community Cultural Development at the Victorian College of Arts.
Katrina Cornwell is a performer, teacher and director. In 2014 she performed in TWIN for Red Moon Rising along with Deluge for the Brisbane Festival and in Seoul as part of SiDance Festival for Motherboard Productions.
Previous performance credits include: We Only Meet in Summer (Mullae Arts Centre, Seoul), The House of Bernada Alba (Arouet Theatre, Seattle), The Hamlet Apocalypse (La Boite Theatre, Brisbane), Sh*t (Anywhere Theatre Festival, Brisbane) and the Who Killed Amanda Palmer World Tour (Europe, UK, USA and Australia).
Katrina is the founder and Artistic Director of the new Australian youth theatre company Riot Stage. Directing credits include: It’s Not the End of the World (2014), So Much Yes (2014), Animal Farm (2013), The Chorus (2013), Prometheus Days (2011) and After 3.
Katrina is directing the Riot Stage production of Forever City at LaMama Courthouse: 16 – 19 April 2015. For more information, visit: www.lamama.com.au or www.riotstage.com for details.
Image: Katrina Cornwell