News

Technically, live performance has a gender issue

Gender parity among lighting, sound and video designers is almost non-existent. A new initiative aims to change that.

10 Jan 2018

Richard Watts

Performing Arts

THE RABBLE’s Joan at Theatre Works, 2017, lighting design by Emma Valente. Photo: David Paterson.

The Australian theatre community took swift action in 2009 when Belvoir, closely followed by Melbourne Theatre Company, launched subscription programs featuring only one female director in each company’s 2010 season.

Read: Breaking down the boy’s club

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Richard Watts

Richard Watts is ArtsHub's National Performing Arts Editor; he also presents the weekly program SmartArts on Three Triple R FM, and serves as the Chair of La Mama Theatre's volunteer Committee of Management. Richard is a life member of the Melbourne Queer Film Festival, and was awarded the status of Melbourne Fringe Living Legend in 2017. In 2020 he was awarded the Sidney Myer Performing Arts Awards' Facilitator's Prize. Most recently, Richard was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Green Room Awards Association in June 2021. Follow him on Twitter: @richardthewatts