Entering theatre at different life stages – taking another path

The decision to work in theatre is often not enshrined in a moment of clarity, but takes a meandering path. It looks different to everyone but, for some, the path leads them to their goal via a series of unexpected roads. Sometimes there are equal parts desire and reticence, fear and ambivalence.

In her late 30s, after studying and immersing herself in a philosophy degree, she had a fortuitous conversation with Yirra Yaakin and ended up in the role of assistant stage manager for its 2021 production of Dating Black. ‘Theatre hadn’t felt like a fit for me when younger, so it was funny to see myself there after so many years because I never saw that for myself,’ she says. The reintroduction led Milroy to Yirra Yaakin’s writers’ program held at The Blue Room and, from there, she was able to write and produce Conversations with a Fish and begin ongoing collaborations.