14.12.23
Dear Grif-friend,
I’m in denial in regards to the imminent finish of the yr. As is usually the case, I believe I’ll have all this time in December to whittle down my to-do checklist and do enjoyable duties like submitting emails or tackling my stitching pile. Instead, there’s all this further socialising and year-end actions… don’t even get me began on looking for presents! How are you feeling in regards to the festive season? Is it already beginning to get away from you, or are you of the “bring it on” mindset?
It’s been a mammoth yr for Griffin, and I couldn’t be prouder of our achievements. We produced an enormous Keralan-Australian epic in Nicholas Brown’s Sex Magick as a part of Sydney WorldPride (that was this yr—wild, proper?!); a heartwarming, life-affirming one-woman comedy in Eloise Snape’s Pony; a sold-out smash hit drama in Suzie Miller’s Jailbaby (that’s returning for 2 weeks solely in January!); and a twisted, belly-laughing hoot in Blaque Showgirls by Nakkiah Lui. Who may neglect re:group’s mini-cinematic piece UFO, the Griffin Award, the regional tour of the premiere manufacturing of Prima Facie, one other unimaginable yr of Griffin Ambassadors… the checklist goes on and on. No surprise we at Griffin are feeling like we’ve been by way of the washer!
And that’s to not point out subsequent yr, after we’ll convey again Jailbaby, stage probably the most formidable three-play-production ever placed on the SBW Stables stage with The Lewis Trilogy (presently in rehearsal) after which say a short lived goodbye to our theatre as we embark on a serious constructing renovation. We are such a small workforce, however our hearts are massive, and it’s end-of-year moments like these after I burst with pleasure at the place we’ve come from and the thrilling street forward for Griffin.
Speaking of heart-bursting, this week, a beloved member of our workforce, our great knowledge and strategic insights whiz Peter O’Connell, stepped again from his 15 years+ of service at Griff to deal with his subsequent chapter. Peter has been the longest-serving member of Griffin’s workers and his knowledge, ardour and love for this firm, its tales, and his colleagues, can’t be overstated. We’ll miss Peter a lot (even his dangerous Dad jokes) and want him the easiest. And particularly inside this festive season, we’ll be dreaming of his ingenious baked items which have taken centre stage at many workers conferences through the years!
On that word, all of us at Griffin want you the happiest of summer time breaks as we finish one yr and herald in one other. You and your love of the work we do are so essential to us as Australia’s smallest mainstage theatre firm. We want you all a protected, peaceable and enjoyable festive season, and we will’t wait to see you at a Griffin present in 2024.
Love,
JC
Julieanne Campbell
Executive Director