On the Couch with Scott Rankin

Scott Rankin oncWho is Scott Rankin?
That person on the couch, blushing slightly.

What would you do differently to what you do now?
Blush on the inside.

Who inspires you and why?
Mature people. The wise. Carefree lovers.

What would you do to make a difference in the world?
Wise up. Contribute more in a mature way. Love better.

Favourite holiday destination and why?
Home… off tour… North West Coast of Tasmania, with a homegrown duck roasting in the oven, and a few more outside, roaming free… and slightly nervous.

When friends come to town, what attraction would you take then to, and why?
I don’t live in a town. They’d be the attraction… along with the roast duck.

What are you currently reading?
A book about ducks and drakes.

What are you currently listening to?
The sound of one duck quacking.

Happiness is?
A gift, that comes of its own accord, like a visit from a friendly duck.

What does the future hold for you?
Ducklings… hopefully. Or those dinners with mature friends and lovers will be slightly less fulfilling.

Scott Rankin is the co-founder, writer and creative director of the arts and social change company, Big hART. He works in and with isolated communities and diverse cultural settings, as well as in commercial performance.

Scott and his collaborators at Big hART are cited as an exemplar for projects including Namatjira, Ngapartji Ngapartji, Hipbone Sticking Out and The Blue Angel Project, StickybrickS for the Northcott Public Housing community in Surry Hills, Sydney; Junk Theory for the Sutherland Shire. Other works include Box The Pony for Leah Purcell, Riverland for Wesley Enoch, and Kissing Frogs and Certified Male for Glynn Nicholas.

He has received many high accolades and awards including: two Premier’s Literary awards (New South Wales & Queensland), three Green Room Awards (including Most Innovative Production and Best Direction), a Human Rights Award (arts), and a Helpmann Award (Namatjira, 2012). He has been awarded the Ros Bower Award for outstanding achievement in services to community cultural development, and is a Fellow of the Australia Council.

Scott’s latest offering Hipbone Sticking Out is currently playing at Arts Centre Melbourne as part of the Melbourne Festival. For more information, visit: www.melbournefestival.com.au for details.

Image: Scott Rankin