About Me

My photo
I am an animateur and have worked for 25 years in the theatre industry and the community cultural development sector. I work as a playwright, director, dramaturge, performer, project manager and teacher. I have worked as a professional artist in Queensland, Victoria and the Northern Territory. In 2006 I won an AWGIE for my play "Through the Mist".

TUFL @ WISP

From May through to late August I facilitated a series of writing workshops with women from a Victorian Correctional Service.

Read some of the work:





INVISIBLE

what I have to say
was intended for you to hear
your ears are open but your mind is closed
my mouth cannot bellow out the screams of my lies
as you look blankly at the wall and do not face me
I wonder if your mind ticks to the sound of the great grandfather clock
seconds, minutes, hours, days and weeks
you do not direct your attention my way
the time is now and the place is here
I sit close by you but you do not sit near

I AM ME

I was a hummingbird
always singing songs, alone
dancing in the breeze
til I met him
and dropped from my tree.

I was a lovebird
always next to the one I loved
sitting in a tree, flying him and me
no longer alone
no longer just me.

I was a sparrow
always full of pain and sorrow
pecking at his feet
needing him to eat
waiting for a treat.

I was a caged bird
always wishing for a better life
wishing I could be free
trapped in his world
alone again.

I was a bird
always dreaming
dreaming of the me I used to be
Nameless, Broken and Bruised

I was set on fire
he was my spark
I thought I would die in the flames
when I turned to ash, he flew away.

Here I am
stronger than before
I am reborn
I am phoenix.


Little Hearts, Big Love!

I miss the sound of tiny feet in the hall,
running with excitement, over things so small.
I miss the smell of their skin, so soft and sweet
and smiles so big with pearly white teeth.
Laughter filled the house, all through the day,
then night fell and asleep they lay.
For 182 days I will have none of this,
only my thoughts so I must reminisce.
I am sorry that for now I’m not there,
I hope daddy calms your worst nightmares.
I will be home soon with love so strong,
but for now we must keep forwarding on!








February:  Workshops and writing have begun at WISP.

Nicky Fearn and I are running weekly workshops in writing and physical theatre and look forward to what will be produced.

Nicky and Rebecca


Some early writing from WISP

Things you should know

How to boil an egg
How to change a tyre
How to drive a manual
How to love unconditionally
How to cook one complete meal
How to sew on a button
How to clean up blood
How to make a fire
How to put out a fire
How to say sorry
and really mean it
When to go home
When to stay
How to address and envelope
How to welcome a guest into your home
How to get rid of nits
How to help someone
and not expect something in return
How to write a sympathy card
How to pluck your eyebrows
What to do with left-overs
When to sit in silence
When to stop.





Trudy

Trudy thinks she is getting old
too old for this job.
Trudy wears a yellow raincoat
holds the stop sign and
thinks about smoking.
Trudy can't smoke on the job
Trudy knows it's not allowed.
Trudy knows she smokes too much
but sometimes feels it is not enough.
Trudy misses Jack.
Trudy knew that Jack smoked too much.
Trudy's mouth turns down 
when she thinks of Jack.
It turns up 
when she sees the kids.
Trudy barracks for the Crows
she wears their scarf
she wonders what would happen
if her scarf got caught in the train door.
Trudy hates feeling trapped.
Trudy loves horses and fresh air.
Trudy stands with the stop sign 
come rain or shine
everyday
and then Trudy goes home
and sits
and smokes
and thinks about Jack.
Trudy knows she is getting old.

No place
like home
she said
but then
no home
to go
to is
not so
good ah
I said
go home
go west
go east
suck it
and see
I heard
the crash
horn blares
blood flows
dreams settle
in her
cut face
si lence
slow times
bee buzzes
drifts away
i wish
i wish
i wish.

Christy

Christy is old
Christy is clever
Christy makes toys that never talk
Christy feels free when she rides in the bus
She places her toys on the bus stop seat
Christy would kill for strawberry ice cream
Christy likes watching the tram through the window
Christy puts toys in odd spots in the tram
Christy has kids but they never call her
Christy is old
Christy is tired
Christy hopes that one day her toys will talk back.

What I like

I like my friends my family my lover
my dog thomas the big cat cycling and listening to music
playing, laughing, silence, walking
rivers the sea walking alone with my dog by trees,
water, waterfalls,
hedgerows in the mist, breathing deeply
in the countryside
The smell of cows like apple pie
apple pie and custard mangoes the geese.

What I don't like

Being told what to do, bigots, right-wing
politicians, the uneven wealth of the
world, people taking advantage of others
cold wet mornings, getting up for yoga
not getting enough sleep
self righteous twats
deceits and lies, Tory politicians.

I know
some things
should not
be said
but still
mouths open
tongues wag
ears sing
teeth glisten
words fall
like pearls
upon minds
and then
that becomes
the given
truth stated
fact formed
stated truth!

Things you should know

How to make your dog happy

How to pay your rent, make a salad,
wash the glass in the shower

Say hello and look someone in the eye

at the same time

How to stop the bleeding

How to juggle four jobs and still have

time for yourself

How to make yourself happy

How to park your car or lock up your bike

How to say sorry

How to make tea and chai and dinner

How many countries there are in the world

The names of the first female prime ministers
in the world

Why plants need water

Why people dream

Why things are funny

why they're not
why eclipses happen




















Things you should know

You should know, when to be quiet.
You should know, not to lick a knife.
You should know, not to hassle me, you should know I wouldn't hassle you.
You should know, I know.

You should know that politicians, sometimes lie, I don't know if they do, that's just what I think.

You should know when to go home.
You should know when I want to go home.

I try not to blame you.
You should know, not to blame me.

You should know to watch out, when I'm on my bike.
You should know, I can watch out for myself. 

You should know you should know.