From the Chair of the Board

What better diversion than a night at the theatre?

Black Swan State Theatre Company’s mission is to produce theatre of exceptional quality that celebrates life, while entertaining and enriching the hearts and minds of West Australians – what better diversion in these challenging economic times than a night at the theatre?

2009 was indeed a year of Magical Thinking for Black Swan with a new senior management team, new board and new corporate identity. Artistic Director Kate Cherry and General Manager Shane Colquhoun are now well established in their roles and have delivered a compelling and highly artistic 2009 programme, with broad appeal. Their commitment to nurturing young talent and providing employment for our local artists and designers is building a strong foundation for the future of theatre in Western Australia.

All of this means that Black Swan is perfectly placed to strengthen its presence as our State Theatre Company and cement its position as an integral part of the national cultural scene. Of course none of this would be possible without the support of our patrons, our corporate partners and our government partners.

2010 promises to be an exciting year for Black Swan, with one new commission premiering and the preparation underway for the move to the new State Theatre Centre of Western Australia. A key aspect of making the theatre accessible to all, the Rio Tinto Black Swan Commissions enable Black Swan to contract Australia’s leading playwrights to develop new works that not only showcase Western Australians to the state, but to the rest of Australia and the world. I hope you will join us for another season of compelling theatre.

Sam Walsh AO
Chair | Black Swan State Theatre Company