Areté is a festival of short plays, performance works and visual arts manifesting unique thought through innovative performance and visual arts.
Dionysus Theatre focuses on a theme each year that sparks artists to reflect on our society and its morals. Writers and Artists of any medium can submit their short scripts or visual works for consideration.
Prompts
‘If you sit and wait to feel like the most confident person in the room, you are probably going to be left by yourself.’
- Jacinda Ardern
Artist: Monique Kleidon
Works
The Lady in Black
Playwright: Elisabeth Sinclair
Director: Paul Barry
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Gertrude: Freya Timmer-Arends
Censor 1: Mitchell McDonough
Censor 2: Jett Thomas
Doctor: Francesco Di Tacchio
The Session
Playwright: Sally Davies
Director: Gabrielle Rando
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Therapist: Vicky Karitinos
Tabitha: Bella Barker
Dave: Rory Rouillon
Jenny: Rachel Hockley
Chris: Ruth Gilmour
New Therapist: Matt Allen
The Girl Who Could Fly
Playwright: Carmen Saarelaht
Director: Cadi-Ann MacInnes
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Amy: Christina Percival
Mother: Kathleen Ronchi
Jonathan/Psychiatrist: Mitchell McDonough
Camper: Vicky Karitinos
Quick Maffs
Playwright: Hayley Ditcham
Director: Danni Vrondou
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Alistair: Rory Rouillon
Marie: Christina Percival
Luciano: Francesco Di Tacchio
Ashley: Brianna Nam
Chris: Matt Allen
Kate: Freya Timmer-Arends
Robert: Jett Thomas
John: Mitchell McDonough
Interludes
Callum Straford
Artists
Olivia Corrigan
Sue Langwill
Calysta Morgan
Playwrights
Sally Davies (she/her)
The Session
Sally thought the theme had great potential as she finds humans’ quest for confidence and self-improvement fascinating and wanted to explore that in a humorous way. She finds that motivational speakers provide great comic fodder so once she found her link to the theme, and started typing, the inspiration kept coming and the play almost emerged on its own! Sally was intent on writing a comedy as she believes we all need laughter at the moment. Sally has had short plays performed in over 30 festivals and events around Australia and overseas, plus one full length play performed in Newcastle and Grafton.
Hayley Ditcham (she/her)
Quick Maffs
Each individual has a personal relationship with confidence. The ability to spin enough of it, like gold, into the fearlessness required to speak one's mind does not come easily. With the rise of social media, our attitudes, opinions and actions are scrutinised more than ever before. There is, however, a vast difference between safeguarding anonymity as a keyboard warrior, and facing the consequences of spoken words.
Comparing the two themes for Dionysus Theatre's Arete - Zeta season, it struck Hayley that life is very much like a card game. It involves risk, luck, skill, gambling, trust, bluffing and confidence. Jacinda Ardern's quote regarding confidence added to her curiosity of the psychology of group-think, pack mentality, peer pressure and the responsibility of our leaders, both present and future, to act for what is right and challenge what is wrong.
Carmen Saarelaht (she/her)
The Girl Who Could Fly
Carmen has been writing since a short story (Small Town Girl) was published in New Idea in 1958. She has written scripts for Crawford Productions, Channel 9 and the ABC. She is an award-winning playwright, and has been four times a finalist in the Playhouse Players’ National Playwright Competition. She says it is “[d]ifficult to say how or why I wrote the play “The Girl Who Could Fly”? Something just came to me by itself, and then took off, a mix of unfettered fantasy and stark realism. Feelings of ecstasy, doubt and incredible grief, ending in madness.”
Elisabeth Sinclair (she/her)
The Lady in Black
Liz has been hooked on live theatre since she was 12 when her Dad dragged her to see a Shakespeare play. She attended the Center for Adult Education's (CAE) Professional Writing & Editing Program in Melbourne, where she studied script and playwriting. Liz was a member of Short & Sweet Crash Test Dummies (short play readings) in Melbourne for several years. She contributed to Jo Nelson's "Dear Mother" project, a theatrical event in Los Angeles, CA, and an e-book anthology called: "Dear Mother" Letters of Tribute & Remembrance." Liz divides her time between Bali and Australia.
Artists
Olivia Corrigan (she/her)
Olivia Corrigan is an emerging visual artist located on the Mornington Peninsula. Exploring a range of mediums, Olivia has a specific passion for painting, utilising both traditional and mixed media techniques. Growing up, Olivia has always had dreams of pursuing a creative career, which has led her to her current studies of a Bachelor of Design Arts at LCI Melbourne. Having an open mind and intuitive lead focus for creating is an important part of Olivia’s practice, as her style and interests continue to evolve within her work. Whilst Olivia describes her work as intuitive and an experience of playing, there are a range of recurring motifs and themes in her work that play a huge part in recognising her work. Feminism, the human form, symbolism and social commentary are to name a few. Regardless of the outcome, Olivia focuses on the experience of creating and allowing her feelings and thoughts to flow through the work, opening up her work to interpretation.
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Olivia's artwork is available for purchase
Sue Langwill (she/her)
Sue Langwill is a Visual Artist and Art teacher who has worked professionally in the creative industries for over 20 years. She has had many art exhibitions featuring her paintings and sculptures as well as experiences as a Set designer for conventions/Canberra Theatre and a variety of productions. Throughout the years Sue has worked in various mediums including clay, drawing, painting, and printing. The themes explored in her artworks revolve around the figure, emotions, subconscious thought, body language, personality types and interactions within groups of people.
Her style ranges from textural abstract forms (2D and 3D) filled with colour and life, texture and expression, to more figurative artforms of late.
Originally from Sydney, Sue has lived, worked, and created in Young, Newcastle (Aus), Yorkshire, England, China, Canberra and currently lives and works in Melbourne, Australia.
Calysta Morgan (she/her)
Aspiring to be a master of all trades and jack of none, Calysta enjoys finding technical and artistic solutions to performing arts challenges. Currently working as a lighting technician and performing arts educator, she's gone back to study Project Management, Live Production, and Instructional Design in order to further her skills, knowledge, and industry connections. Calysta is excited to be the Head of Production for Arete: Zeta, and to have been given the chance to throw together a set piece for this year's Festival which incorporates her current fascination with light. Currently Treasurer for the Dionysus Theatre committee, Calysta was previously lighting designer for Yerma (2020), and directed Matt Allen's Bedhead as part of the Arete: Morphed festival (2020).
Cast
Matt Allen (he/him)
This is Matt’s first time performing in Arete having previously been a writer for most of the festivals. He is not a stranger to the Dionysus stage, however, having appeared in their first production Exit The King as Doctor back in 2012 and subsequently in Sock & Buskin in 2016 as Colin in Abortive and Terry in Mother Figure, and again in 2018 as Gerry in Easy Stages.
Bella Barker (she/her)
Bella Barker is thrilled to be acting in The Session in Areté Zeta. Bella most recently performed the role of Detective Dani in Oopsy Daisy (Drama King Theatre Company) at the MC Showroom. Other theatre roles include the lead roles Her in 000: The Play (Melbourne Creatives) and Miss Duck in Inspector Drake’s Last Case (Brighton Theatre Company). This is Bella’s second Areté festival, having been a dancer in Areté: Epsilon in 2019. She hopes you enjoy the show!
Francesco Di Tacchio (he/him)
Francesco moved to Australia from Italy in 2012. He is passionate about drama acting and films, and has participated in a Meisner technique class and is looking to continue his acting educational journey. He has performed in some short films and is making his stage debut in Arete Zeta. Francesco works at the Arts Centre Melbourne and is fascinated by the live performance scenery.
Ruth Gilmour (she/her)
Ruth graduated with a Bachelor of Dramatic Art from Excelsia College in 2013, and her passion for theatre has taken her all over the globe. In 2016, she toured with Italy-based company Theatrino and was inspired to develop her own shows as Co-Director of theatre company Babble Productions. Ruth recently appeared in 2021’s Melbourne International Comedy Festival as the character of Saint Peta in The Business of God and in 24 Carrot Production’s Sense and Sensibility: The Musical in 2022.
Rachel Hockley (she/her)
Rachel Hockley, playing Jenny in "The Session", is a first time actor after having flunked Drama class in High School. Local to Frankston with a try anything once attitude and a stomach full of butterflies please keep your fingers and toes crossed at all times.
Vicky Karatinos (she/her)
Vicky Karitinos is honoured to be involved in Arete Zeta, her 4th Dionysus Theatre production. She immensely enjoys Dionysus' innovative approach to theatre and the welcoming, inclusive atmosphere of the company. The directors have an incredible knack of turning marvellous scripts into a potent, immersive and visceral experience for the audience. Vicky is proud and delighted to be part of Arete Zeta.
Mitchell McDonough (he/him)
Mitchell McDonough has been a theatre person for nearly 13 years now and has been involved in any way he can from stage managing to acting and loved every minute of it. He's excited about the opportunity to come back once more and have a blast acting in another Arete.
He hopes you enjoy the shows and that you have a truly sweet evening.
Brianna Nam (she/her)
Brianna is an actor who enjoys comedy and creative writing. MAFFS is Brianna's second theatre production since 2020 (in the words of gen Z - “it's been a hot minute”). During the lockdowns she wrote, directed and acted in a few DIY short films. She has performed in various productions in the past and collaborated with different creative artists. These include MTC's - KNICKERS (2020) and Toast and tea short film (2020). Aside from acting, she also enjoys spending quality time with her family and friends.
Christina Percival (she/her)
Christina Percival is an emerging actor, recently graduated from Monash University. She was part of a live digital ensemble piece directed by Marcel Dornay in 2020. She has always loved acting, and she devised her own solo drama piece when she was 18.
She most enjoys exploring dramatic and tragic roles, and loves a snappy comedy. She looks forward to bringing her performances to audiences around the world.
Kathleen Ronchi (she/her)
Kathleen is a performing arts teacher, as well as a singer, model and author. She has been seen in many productions around Melbourne, including a Best Actress VDL award, as well as in film and on TV. This is her first Arete festival.
Rory Rouillon (he/him)
Rory is an aspiring actor who has worked with industries like Universal Pictures 1440 Entertainment, Aquarius Films as a background actor, and has also done some modelling work for Chisolm Institute with some volunteer work for some independent films. Rory also aspires to be more involved in the film/theatre industry as an actor or stagehand/crew to create and share media to all audiences globally or nationally.
Callum Straford (he/him)
Callum Straford is a Comedian, Musician and Actor from Melbourne. He has participated in the 2021 & 2022 Melbourne International Comedy Festivals, writing and performing in his own solo shows, Your Best Worst Nightmares and Oops. Callum currently has a Netflix Special in the works, and it'll be released someday when Netflix responds to his emails. He will, however, be performing a season of Oops during the 2022 Melbourne Fringe in October, at The Butterfly Club.
Jett Thomas (he/him)
Jett has worked on many projects both on and behind the stage, he starred as Macbeth in Macbeth and Tybalt in Romeo and Juliet, with Dionysus Theatre. He has also directed several short plays in Dionysus Theatre's Arete Festival. He is very excited to be getting back on stage after an extended period of backstage work.
Freya Timmer-Arends (she/her)
Freya is thrilled to be back at Dionysus Theatre after performing in last year's (much post-poned) production of Yerma. Some of her previous performances include Reporter 2 / Germaine in Never the Sinner with 1812 Theatre, and the role of Vera Claythorne in And Then There Were None with Malvern Theatre Company. She also received a VDL nomination for her performance of Johanna in Sweeney Todd with Beaumaris Theatre.
Crew
Artistic Director
Melanie Thomas
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Assistant Artistic Director
Gabrielle Rando
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Production Manager
Theresa Holt
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Assistant Production Manager
Eliza Scott
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Head of Production
Calysta Morgan
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Head of Direction
Lenora Locatelli
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Head of Performance
Emma Sproule
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Stage Manager
Kiara Martin-Pico
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Marketing Director
Catherine Baker
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Program
Madeline Rintoul
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Coming 2023: Arete - Eta
"Education is a human right with immense power to transform"
- Kofi Annan
Our supporters!
Thank you to St John's and St Luke's Anglican Church Carrum Downs for sharing their venue spaces with us for our rehearsals.
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Monique Kleidon - Monique's Moments
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Dionysus Theatre acknowledges the Bunurong people who are the traditional custodians of the land on which Frankston Arts Centre stands and pay our respects to their elders past, present and future. We extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.