Meet Our First Nations Emerging Producer!

We’re extremely excited to welcome Louise Wellington to the ActNow Theatre team!

Louise joined us on the 29th of April as our First Nations Emerging Producer. She has plenty of nuts and bolts experience in managing projects, but the social dimension of those projects is what drives her. She has come to ActNow with a background in community development in remote Indigenous communities, International Women's day projects, business development in building and construction, and, most recently, project management in the community housing sector.

Caitlin, our Marketing and Development Coordinator, had a quick Q&A with Louise!

Louise is smiling at the camera. She is wearing a light grey blazer and a brightly coloured necklace. There is a plant behind her on the right.

How did you first find out about ActNow Theatre?

I had noticed ActNow online some time ago from a friend's Facebook. But, more recently, the Arts Pathway Program had caught my eye on LinkedIn. Upon further investigation I found ActNow to be an incredibly dynamic and unique company. I love the point of difference in the interactive theatre concepts that filters through everything ActNow does and of course, the social justice element really appeals to me personally. 

What are three things people should know about you?

1) I’m a country girl, my father is a Warlpiri man from a small community north of Alice Springs called Willowra which the mostly dry Lander river runs through. My mother is an Irish and Luritja woman from Tempe Downs near Kings Canyon, Central Australia which the mostly dry but Pink sandy Palmer River runs through. 

2) Causes I’m passionate about are juvenile justice reform, women's DV support, enabling opportunities for young people living in rural and regional communities and supporting refugees.

3) I've been decorating cakes professionally as a second job for 17 years with a local bakery in Alice Springs. I lived away in Sydney and Canberra during that time so it's been on and off but it was my first job in high school and I just loved it. 

Last time you were moved by art? 

Every day something moves me as that’s just how I roll! But today it was listening to the classical Mariage D’amou by Paul de Senneville (Springs Waltz). One silver lining in isolation has been discovering and rediscovering new and old songs and this piece of music is one of the most positive/uplifting ways to start the day in my opinion.

What do you do when you’re not at ActNow? 

I have a two-year-old who keeps me busy and we spend a lot of time having dance parties in the kitchen. It's been an evolution of music beginning with The Wiggles and eventuating to hardcore rap. I’m also obsessed with gardening and planning my future gardens. I garden geek out on high microbial soil and have perfected the art of composting. I’m currently growing winter veggies in some raised beds and pretty happy with the growing conditions here in South Australia. 

What are you looking forward to the most about working with us? 

I’m looking forward to meeting artists from the diverse projects that ActNow is producing and connecting with Kaurna Nations people. There's such an amazing Arts community in Adelaide and I can't wait to be a part of that!

We can’t wait to see what Louise does with us and for you to get to know her more! Interested in finding out more about what Louise will be working on? Check out the Arts Pathway Program here.