Who is Emma Valente?
Emma Valente is theatre maker and parent who loves board games and is currently making a pretty solid attempt to bake sourdough and train a puppy. Queer introverted troublemaker who runs a theatre company called THE RABBLE.
What would you do differently from what you do now?
If I wasn’t a theatre director I would probably have been a computer programmer. I loved making games with Apple Basic as a kid but was cut off at the pass by dickhead of a year 10 coordinator who told me I probably shouldn’t be in the Computer Science class as I’d be the only girl.
Who inspires you and why?
I’m inspired by people who quietly get shit done. People who are changing the world without violence or social media. Don’t get me wrong, sometimes you must scream, but I’m inspired by the people who have found a way to pursue change just by doing something.
Favourite holiday destination and why?
My favourite kind of holiday is an autumn holiday where you get to light a fire and eat good food and go for walks and read books and do a jigsaw. Basically, an ad for an expensive whiskey.
When friends come to town, what attraction would you take them to, and why?
I would always take them to some independent theatre, at La Mama, Theatre Works, The Substation, Darebin Arts Centre or 45 downstairs. Melbourne has such a unique scene and there’s always something weird and brilliant on.
What are you currently reading?
I’m currently reading The Three Body Problem by Liu Cixin. It’s sciencey Science Fiction, which is one of my favourite genres. I’m definitely a read the book person before you watch the movie, but I’m really looking forward to finishing so I can get in to the Netflix series.
What are you currently listening to?
A podcast about a Rewilding project. I’m fascinated by the idea of humans intervening in the climate crisis by not intervening at all.
Happiness is?
A mythology created by capitalism. But also watching vegetables grow.
What does the future hold for you?
Hopefully a little more rest. Arts workers are entrenched in the gig economy and it’s an unsustainable nightmare. Either you’re completely overworked or your don’t have enough money to pay rent, often both. So I’m dreaming of a future where we get to work a little less and rest a little more.
Emma is a Co-creator of the world premiere season of Joel Bray’s Homo Pentecostus – which plays the Malthouse Theatre from 10 May 2024. For more information, visit: www.malthousetheatre.com.au for details.
Image: Emma Valente (supplied)