Who is Susie Dee?
She is a director/performer who is currently working on tooooo many projects. She is going slightly mad and feels totally overwhelmed – even though she is super excited about The Long Pigs, White Night Festival, 8 Gigabytes of Hardcore Pornography and the 24 Hour Experience (FOLA). Phoah!
What would you do differently to what you do now?
Learn to say NO! Learn to say NO! Learn to say NO!
Who inspires you and why?
People who can say NO! … they tell me it’s easy … you just gotta say … NO! People who dedicate their lives totally to one idea/one project/one mission.
What would you do to make a difference in the world?
Make more theatre that resonates … (if I had the time that is!). Take time to see my friends and support their creative endeavors. Start a ‘retreat’ for artists who are committed to change.
Favourite holiday destination and why?
Donnybrook – it has a mineral spring and a cheese factory – but if the traffic is bad – Paris will do!
When friends come to town, what attraction would you take then to, and why?
Donnybrook – because it has a mineral spring and a cheese factory of course!
What are you currently reading?
Round Heads and Pointed Heads by Brecht and Brain Rules by John Medina (to help me say no!).
What are you currently listening to?
Not enough music – I should listen to more music.
Happiness is?
Having time to listen to music, making shit hot theatre and visiting Donnybrook of course.
What does the future hold for you?
Who bloody well nose!
Susie Dee has worked extensively in theatre as a performer, devisor and director both in Australia and overseas for the past 30 years. She spent a year working as an actor in the theatre company, Moving Parts in Spain and another 2 years performing and touring with Circus Oz.
She has been the Artistic Director of Melbourne Workers Theatre (MWT), Union House Theatre (UHT) and the Institute Of Complex Entertainment (ICE) where she directed the award winning large scale site specific events – Tower of Light, The Teratology Project and Transit Camp.
In 2011, Susie was the recipient of the Australia Council residency at the Cite des Art in Paris where she observed Theatre Du Soleil and other companies in France. Susie has been nominated and won numerous awards, most recently for Taxi – her work set in moving vehicles. Last year she directed Patricia Cornelius award winning play Savages for fortyfivedownstairs.
Susie is currently directing The Long Pigs – a profound and visually arresting performance rooted in physical and black comedy. It will be presented at fortyfivedownstairs from 12 – 23 March 2014. For more information, visit: www.fortyfivedownstairs.com for details.
Image: Susie Dee