Australia’s largest contemporary multi-arts district will present Sleeplessness, a new performance by Australian artist Kaz Therese (they/them). Running August 4-13, 2022, the performance merges drama and documentary to take audiences on a journey of discovery through the artist’s family history, shedding light on the intergenerational impacts of institutionalization and migration. Part mystery, part documentary, part forensic investigation, this quintessentially Australian story was developed with the support of Carriageworks and will be complemented by panel discussions and workshops.

Developed over the past two decades by Kaz Therese, Sleeplessness is a radically honest and empathetic look at three generations of women in the artist’s family, in an effort to reclaim a history that had been erased. Beginning with the discovery of a death certificate for their Hungarian grandmother that mysteriously labels her death as a German man, Therese takes the audience on a fascinating and moving journey as they travel back in time to uncover the mysteries of their family. The performance follows a fractured narrative, traveling through Budapest, the story of forgotten Australians in the 1950s, the artist’s upbringing in western Sydney and his arrival in the present day.

Artist Kaz Therese:

I grew up not knowing my family history. My mother had all her childhood memory erased. Other than a photo of my grandmother sitting on my mother’s fireplace, there were no other details about what happened to this woman, and why we don’t know more. I couldn’t sleep not knowing and became obsessed with trying to recreate an archive for my family that didn’t exist. I thought I could stitch my family’s body together through art, and in doing so I found a story that I think most Australians can relate to.

This story has so many different elements but is ultimately about conversations around class in Australia and a struggle against erasure. It shines a light on forgotten Australians and highlights the impact of institutionalization on Australian children, which remains a major problem. These are stories you don’t often hear about.

Blair French, CEO of Carriageworks:

It is truly a privilege for us to provide a platform for Kaz Therese to tell their incredible story, which is both deeply personal and universally resonant. Carriageworks is dedicated to supporting artists in the creation of new work, and it will be a special moment for audiences to experience this performance that has been developed over many years.

Insomnia was commissioned by Carriageworks. The creative team includes director and co-writer Anthea Williams, cultural manager Aunty Rhonda Dixon-Grovenor, sound designer Anna Liebzeit, video artist Zanny Begg, lighting designer Karen Norris, choreographer Martin del Amo, stage manager Anastasia Mowen, Video Consultant Samuel James, Cinematography – Budapest Margie Medlin, Cinematography – Sydney Tania Lambert, Producer Erin Milne & Bureau of Works, and Curator Daniel Mudie Cunningham.

The production will also be supported by a public program which includes a post-show conversation on Saturday August 6 with Kaz Therese and Dr. Adele Chynoweth hosted by Sarah Miller AM. As well as a conversation on Thursday August 11 with Class Action participants, moderated by Auntie Rhonda Dixon-Grovenor, composer James Hazel and Kaz Therese. This participatory workshop event will explore themes of class and poverty in the Australian arts and cultural landscape. Bringing together community members from Forgotten Australians, Stolen Generations and refugees, speakers include Care Leavers Australia Network CEO Leonie Sheedy, Gadigal artist Nadeena Dixon and artist Mahdi Mohammadi.

Kaz Therese is also the writer-in-residence of Carriageworks where they will be finalizing the development of Sleeplessness. This will also lead to the publication of articles in the Carriageworks Journal.

Season details

Location: Carriageworks
Date: August 4 – 13, 2022

For more information click HERE

Photo credit: Alex Wisser