Who is Clare Watson?
Clare Watson is one of the busiest theatre directors in town. She is Artistic Director of St Martins and this month she has new works on with MTC at the Arts Centre, in Castlemaine State Festival, Malthouse Theatre and Dance Massive.
What would you do differently to what you do now?
I’d like to live without an iPhone but that would probably piss a few people off. So I guess I’ll go the regular… sleep more, activate my nuts, you know.
Who inspires you and why?
Kate Bush, no need to explain.
What would you do to make a difference in the world?
I listen to people. I listen to collaborators both adults and children. I want to be able to stay open and responsive to the thoughts, needs and the ideas of others.
Favourite holiday destination and why?
My daughter and I live in a cottage in Castlemaine, there is a 100 year old oak tree in the garden and a family of magpies lives out the front. This is where I feel most at home and the best place to spend days off.
When friends come to town, what attraction would you take then to, and why?
I would take them to the Scoresby Caribbean Rollerama for a bit of old school rollerskating and its top notch décor.
What are you currently reading?
I’m doing a lot of research at the moment for Fitter. Faster. Better. so I find myself reading about the science and psychology of sport and lots of articles about the process of cell rejuvenation in the body. The idea that memories of my childhood are maintained by neurons that didn’t even exist when I was in my 20s is a thrilling idea to me.
What are you currently listening to?
I’ve just been working on What Rhymes with Cars and Girls, a musical inspired by Tim Rogers’ solo album of the same name… so that’s been on high rotation.
Happiness is?
Spending time with my wise, caring and hilarious 11 year old.
What does the future hold for you?
Hopefully, lots more of the same, I’m having a ball.
Clare Watson is a graduate of VCA Directing. She has directed for the stages of the Sydney Opera House, Arts Centre Melbourne, Melbourne Theatre Company, The Storeroom and La Mama. She has also created installation performance works in a hotel room, the Old Melbourne Gaol, a disused swimming pool, a car and a crumbling deco apartment.
In 2014 Clare was Female Director in Residence at Malthouse Theatre and a participant in the inaugural Women Directors’ Program at MTC. Her independent work I Heart John McEnroe, Theatre Works 2014 has been nominated for 5 Greenroom Awards. She has just finished directing what Rhymes with Cars and Girls for MTC.
Clare is currently directing Fitter. Faster. Better. as part of Dance Massive at The Malthouse Theatre Forecourt: 12 – 21 March 2015. For more information, visit: www.dancemassive.com.au for details.
Image: Clare Watson