Learning Curves: Clare Watson

Black Swan’s Artistic Director looks back at her first year in Perth, having relocated from Melbourne last October, and discusses the challenges of getting to know the city and the company.

Photo by Pia Johnson

Clare Watson officially started in her role as Artistic Director of Black Swan State Theatre Company on 1 January this year. Appointed in April last year, Watson worked initially as Artistic Director Designate in a part-time capacity alongside outgoing AD Kate Cherry, who had held the role for nine years. She relocated permanently to Perth last October, effectively giving her just over a year to put her first season together.

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Richard Watts is ArtsHub's National Performing Arts Editor; he also presents the weekly program SmartArts on Three Triple R FM, and serves as the Chair of La Mama Theatre's volunteer Committee of Management. Richard is a life member of the Melbourne Queer Film Festival, and was awarded the status of Melbourne Fringe Living Legend in 2017. In 2020 he was awarded the Sidney Myer Performing Arts Awards' Facilitator's Prize. Most recently, Richard was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Green Room Awards Association in June 2021. Follow him on Twitter: @richardthewatts