Who is Kate Britton?
If you find out, please tell me! Just kidding. I’m queer, I’m a daughter, sister, aunty, friend, live performance lover, avid reader, terrible sleeper and camping enthusiast living on unceded Gadigal and Wangal land, raised between Gadigal and Awabakal country. I’m currently the Artistic Director of Performance Space and Liveworks Festival.
What would you do differently from what you do now?
Is it too cheesy to say nothing? Who knows that the future may hold, but right now, the big world looks grim, but my little world is pretty incredible – working with artists, learning from colleagues and peers all over the world, trying to disrupt and rally against the conservativeness and violence of our times, and being surrounded by friends, family and loved ones in this ongoing work. I’m definitely gathering my roses so to speak.
Who inspires you and why?
Artists making work that the mainstream doesn’t understand yet. People who endure against all odds – in Palestine, in Sudan, Yemen, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and in so-called Australia. My mum for teaching me that everyone has a valuable story to share. My dad for imbuing in me a deep and sincere passion for art and fine wines. My brother and sister-in-law for the way they’re raising their brilliant kids.
My nieces for being exactly and unapologetically who they are at all times. My colleagues for their generosity of spirit and real commitment to our work. My friends for being variously silly, insightful, caring, brave, staunch, smart, political, creative and so much fun. People who make music. Good cooks. Great writers. The list goes on!
What would you do to make a difference in the world?
In my ideal world? Ban billionaires. Pay the rent. Land back. End genocide. And keep doing everything in my power to see boundary-pushing experimental art and artists thrive – we need them to save us from the tyranny of the institution and the doldrums of the already known!
Favourite holiday destination and why?
I’m incredibly fortunate to get to travel with my job, which is a great way to see the world – through meeting artists and seeing shows. Recent faves have been Taipei, Hong Kong, Singapore, Jakarta and Bangkok, among others. So when I do take a rare holiday, I tend to go to ground – I love solo camping, overnight hikes, exploring faraway rock pools, or a tiny house in a windswept field somewhere under the stars.
When friends come to town, what attraction would you take them to, and why?
By night – a Performance Space program of course! Or another great independent show somewhere like PACT, The Old Fitz, Griffin Theatre or the Red Rattler. Followed by a final drink at our beloved Bearded Tit before she closes her doors in November. By day – hard to go past one of Sydney’s iconic ocean pools.
What are you currently reading?
I’ve just started Worthy of the Event: an Essay by Vivian Blaxall, which traverses her life story, transness and gender fuckery, philosophy, geography, history, subjectivity, and everything in between. So far it’s a wild and heady ride. I also recently finished Naomi Klein’s Doppelganger and it’s definitely still haunting me, and a very Sapphic, horny little fantasy by Sophie Mackintosh called Cursed Bread that was also lots of fun. And I’m pretty much eternally reading Ursula K Le Guin.
What are you currently listening to?
I’m a compulsive playlist maker, I always have one on the go that’s soundtracking my life at that particular moment or era. Currently featuring heavily are Blood Orange, The Kills, FKA Twigs, Tanya Tagaq, The Velvet Underground, Marcus Whale, Doechii, Beverley Glenn-Copeland, Wet Leg, Lonely Speck, Easter, Phillip Glass, Tirzah, Arooj Aftab, Jenny Hval, so many more omg.
Happiness is?
Seeing a show that blows your head off, debriefing with friends over a late dinner, then sliding into freshly washed linens at the end of the night with a good book. Finding yourself and your companion alone on a mountain, hours from another living soul, at the headwaters, feet in an icy, swift running river. Living an adventurous life, in accordance with your values and as rigorously as possible.
What does the future hold for you?
I dare not imagine – it’s always so much bigger, stranger and more magical than my tiny mind can fathom. I’m always looking out for it though, however it may present itself (pun intended).
Kate is the Artistic Director of Performance Space and Liveworks Festival – which will be presented at Carriageworks from 22 – 26 October 2025. For more information, visit: www.performancespace.com.au for details.
Image: Kate Britton (supplied)