Announcing our next Penny Cook Creative Associate, Felicity Nicol
On the eve of International Day of Persons with Disabilities, we are thrilled to announce the appointment of our Creative Associate for 2023, Felicity Nicol. Felicity is an award-winning Performance Director, Writer and Artistic Director from Sydney. Holding qualifications from COFA and NIDA, Felicity has worked with prominent artists around the world, from Australia to Europe and North America, with a particular interest in working with young people in the queer community.
Felicity’s mission as an artist is to interrupt our assumptions about people and the world in order to shift the cultural lens towards those who need it most.
The Penny Cook Creative Associate Program is awarded in honour of our much-loved founding board member, artist and arts advocate Penny Cook to recognise her devotion, mentorship and inspiration to the creative team at Monkey Baa. Creative Associates are mentored by our Artistic Director to develop and present their own work at our home theatre ARA Darling Quarter Theatre in their second year of the program.
When we asked Felicity how she felt, she told us:
“I'm thrilled to take on the position of Creative Associate with one of Australia's best youth theatre companies. Monkey Baa has been creating and touring work with humour, heart and humility for more than 25 years and I can't wait to soak up that experience. As an artist with invisible disabilities, I'm excited to work for a company that is creating space and conversation about marginalised identities. Creating this change in our industry must be reflected behind the scenes as well as on stage. How else can we reflect the diversity of contemporary audiences. I'm proud and honoured to help Monkey Baa lead the charge - one rung at a time.”
Eva, our Artistic Director, reflected on Felicity's appointment:
"The Penny Cook Creative Associate program is very dear to my heart and I am absolutely thrilled to have Felicity join our company over the next two years as our next Associate. She is an exciting theatre maker, passionate, fun and committed to making art accessible and I can't wait to see her create magic."
Our current Creative Associate, Mayu Iwasaki, is presenting her work Little Bozu and Kon Kon at ARA Darling Quarter Theatre as part of Monkey Baa’s 2023 season on Saturday February 18 – so book your tickets to see how this program nurtures and guides emerging artists!
We look forward to updating you on Felicity's progress!
