Artistic Director M~M2007-16
Meme is an acclaimed director specialising in epic theatre in outdoor locations. In 2007, Meme was engaged as Artistic Director of Connecting Identities to envisage the concept for a three year arts project that could address the issue of identity in a rapidly changing post-industrial Geelong. In consultation with traditional owners and Arts & Culture Department, Meme proposed Mountain to Mouth as an extreme arts walk creating a contemporary songline across Geelong. Meme directed the pilot, Mouth to Mountain, in 2009, and subsequently the multi-award winning M~M2014 and M~M2016.
Notable in her previous work was her concept and direction of WADERBIRDS – odyssey of the wetlands, staged beside Manukau Harbour Auckland, Aotearoa/New Zealand, then under Westgate Bridge in Melbourne, on Town Beach Broome, Australia, and in parkland in Kurshiro, Japan. This production told the story of the migratory Eastern Curlew through large-scale puppet imagery, original composition, dance, and fire sculpture. Mountain to Mouth is informed by this model of creating large gestures, engaging professional artists and residents, creating artworks and performances in unusual locations.
Meme trained at the Victorian College of the Arts Drama School and was a founding member and Artistic Director of WEST Theatre Company, writing and directing rock musicals including RIFF-RAFF (performed with Men at Work) and XENOPHOBIA (performed with Real Life), and performing in the legendary Essendon Policewomen’s Marching Band.
Meme has published ten books which have won seven national literary awards, five with Kunggandji storyteller, Boori Monty Pryor.
In 2012, Meme was the recipient of the prestigious Ros Bower Award from the Australia Council for her sustained contribution to the Arts and cultural development.
