After the COVID-19 pandemic wreaked havoc on the creative arts industry, Lily Hayman is pleased her new production employed seven people, including the cast and creative team.
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"Because of Merrigong, I've been able to pay everyone who's worked on it," the 23-year-old said.
"All the cast and crew have been paid wages... And as young artists coming out of the Illawarra, that's pretty much the first time we've been able to do that.
"During a pandemic we've been able to make that step in our careers, which has been awesome."
Hayman, a former University of Wollongong student, is the director and writer of Fledgling.
The production is adapted from the novel The Flight of Birds by Illawarra writer Joshua Lobb.
"It's about the things that we're leaving behind in the world and whether or not they're good or bad - that constant worry about the trace we leave behind," Hayman said.
Fledgling will be performed at the IPAC's Bruce Gordon Theatre on Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8pm daily.
The production is part of an independent artist program from Wollongong's Merrigong Theatre Company.
Merrigong this week announced the 21 independent artists' projects that comprise the 2021 MerrigongX Artists' Program.
MerrigongX includes an investment of more than $350,000 by the company in the development of independent artists and new work.
The 2021 program features four new independent productions that are set to entertain audiences throughout the year - Fledgling; Sorry, Sorry, Sorry; Mount Hopeless; and UFO.
Audiences also have the chance to engage with new works in development.
Additional power to support artists is being placed in the audience's hands, with every show being operated on a 'Pay What You Feel' basis.
That means there is no set ticket price.
Audience members can reserve their spot for free, and choose their own financial contribution after they've seen the show.
Regardless of audience contribution however, artists are provided a financial guarantee for their project.
Hayman said she hoped her involvement in this production would be a key step forward in her career.
"I would like to continue on being a writer/director, and making new Australian work, specifically talking about Australian stories," she said.
Leland Kean, artistic development manager at Merrigong Theatre Company said the 2021 MerrigongX season is the largest and most resourced in the program's history.
"In the wake of the COVID-19 crisis and the devastating effects on the arts industry, MerrigongX provides an important platform of creation though funding and support for independent artists in the Illawarra," he said.
"The program seeds diverse and innovative new work and feeds an ecology essential to the future health of the arts industry in Australia and the arts in regional Australia."
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Brendan Crabb
I'm a member of ACM's national property team, covering the Illawarra and South Coast. Based in Albion Park, NSW, I write about exciting, interesting or just downright quirky properties that have been listed for sale, major sales, market trends, auctions and more. One of my favourite aspects of being a journalist is I believe everyone has a story to tell. What's yours?
I'm a member of ACM's national property team, covering the Illawarra and South Coast. Based in Albion Park, NSW, I write about exciting, interesting or just downright quirky properties that have been listed for sale, major sales, market trends, auctions and more. One of my favourite aspects of being a journalist is I believe everyone has a story to tell. What's yours?
