Who is Theresa Borg?
Theresa Borg is family to a big family, friend to a bunch of special people and a dyed-in-the-wool theatre kid. I have tried to stay away, and I cannot do it. Covid made me even hungrier for the theatre team experience.
What would you do differently from what you do now?
If I were more (or perhaps it’s less?) disciplined, I would swap at least some of the time I spend in creative hyper-focus for more time smelling roses and hanging out.
Who inspires you and why?
Many people – on the world stage and locally. People who are great givers – Catherine Hamlin along with my sisters. People of enormous courage – Greta Thunberg and friends dealing with personal and domestic dramas. Theatre elders with huge amounts of craft to learn from. Elders – they’re full of history and know-how. And I love hearing from young people and learning from them – my kids, and the young generation who I often direct, are full of fun, music and aspirations for social justice. I’ve realized over recent years that my great passion is listening and when I listen, I hear great and inspiring stories more often than not.
What would you do to make a difference in the world?
I like to think that theatre does make a difference in the world. We have the capacity to reveal the audience to itself and potentially change hearts and minds when we tell stories together. Gardening is my favourite way to make a little daily difference. Now that Covid is on its way out I want to get back out protesting about lack of action on Climate Change and help make more difference.
Favourite holiday destination and why?
Wattle Park for daily radio silence. Beaches in winter for the melodrama of storms contrasting with cozy. National Parks. And Malta, where my Dad’s family is from. But it’s the people you’re with that make the holiday, right? Anton and the kids would be ideal.
When friends come to town, what attraction would you take them to, and why?
Healesville Sanctuary every time for overseas guests. It’s a drive and you have to get in early to book the ‘up-close’ experiences but the excitement when your mate meets a koala, or a platypus is totally worth it. And Brunetti’s … nom nom nom … more Italian cake for everyone ploise!
What are you currently reading?
All things Titanic. Also, anything about UFOs. And all the papers, every morning. The book at the top of my kindle pile is Devotion by Hannah Kent and I want to get hold of Shy by Mary Rogers.
What are you currently listening to?
Titanic. Nigel Westlake. Drafts of the opera I am writing with a friend. My dogs barking at strangers and magpies, cockys and rosellas in the garden.
Happiness is?
Love and possibility and my darlings and telling great stories with wonderful colleagues.
What does the future hold for you?
Nothing done by halves.
Theresa is the Director of Titanic: The Musical – which will be presented ‘In Concert’ at the Melbourne Town Hall: 4 – 6 November 2022. For more information, visit: www.titanicmusicalinconcert.com.au for details.
Image: Theresa Borg (supplied)