In Conversation with Barbara Hostalek – Business
In this edition of In Conversation, we shine a light on Business—a new project by Barbara Hostalek, that recently had a residency at The Blue Room Theatre from 6 – 19 July. Businesswoman of the year is successful in her work but is personally struggling with a health issue. Her fear paralyses her. Her brother kept at arm’s length; her mother sidelined. What stops us from accessing services and support? Intergenerational avoidance, busy-ness, fear, past trauma with systems? How do we name and face our death anxiety? Did you book your screening or not? We caught up with Barbara Hostalek to dive into the creative process behind the project and how the residency went.
What inspired you to apply for the residency at The Blue Room Theatre, and what goals did you have going into it?
I was in the right place at the right time, and I thought I’ve got nothing to lose. I’m going to propose something and give it a go and see what happens. I’m very grateful to people who encouraged, supported and believed in my idea, and took a chance on a different way of working. My goals included increasing awareness of the preventative nature of cancer screening tests, to create an environment to support creative reflection, and expand a 10 minute script on a difficult subject to 60 minutes with dramaturgical support, culminating in a community celebration of a rehearsed reading with actors to share in the lengthened script.
How would you describe your overall experience during the residency?
I’ve had an awesome experience. I’ve learned how important communicating in many modalities is, to generate enthusiasm and commitment for a complex theme. I’m grateful for friends and family in supporting in the aspiration I had to discuss a difficult topic, and for them being brave enough to trust in a creative process to explore this in a way to increase in-person yarning circles.
What are some of the most valuable lessons, discoveries, or skills you’ve gained during this time?
One lesson was…’Don’t bite off more than you can chew’. Sometimes thinking so big and wide is great, but it takes a huge effort and logistical planning, mobilisation, and strategy to deliver a reasonable outcome. I believe my aspiration to achieve 4 workshops and 2 rehearsed readings would not have been possible with the time and budget available. On reflection 3 workshops was even over the top.
How has this residency impacted your practice or shaped your perspective as an artist?
Having the residency provided me with space, creative concentration, and time to take the step to have community members who are connected to the arts or the theme to come to workshops where we could read the script together and engage them in creative modes of discussion. I had wanted to do this ever since the first reading in 2023. But this gave me the chance to do it. It was very inspiring, exciting, and fun. The opportunity to spend time with a combination of people I knew and didn’t know exploring Business. I’d like to work in this way again in the future.
What are your next steps following the residency—will you continue developing the work, or are you moving into something new?
Next steps for Business following the residency is hopefully to obtain funds or a grant to invest in costume, set, and audiovisual design, and movement as well as further post-rehearsal reading dramaturgy to strengthen ideas and images that received really great feedback. I would also be keen to gather more interest from community members and organisations to align a production with major fundraising activities such as the Biggest Morning Tea, Daffodil Day, and Daffodil Day Dip.
How did the support and environment at The Blue Room Theatre contribute to your creative process?
Staff support from The Blue Room Theatre supported me in the management of the budget to pay artists and negotiate resources. The wonderful space to conduct the workshops was fantastic – we were able to greet participants and facilitate intensive 2 hour sessions involving 2 rehearsed readings and image making using materials to draw and sculpt. I was very grateful on the day of the rehearsed reading for the use of microphones and stands to assist the actors hold and read the script. The communication with Memorial Hall in Hamilton Hill was also fabulous. Memorial Hall was a fabulous full functioning space which made the rehearsed reading ‘POP’. People were able to attend the rehearsed reading with free parking, and could engage with actors and creatives, and each other, following the rehearsed reading to discuss any aspects of the text read.
What does being part of the Perth arts scene mean to you, and what do you think needs to evolve to better support local artists?
It would be great if The Blue Room Theatre had increased infrastructure support. Such as more funding for the organisation to focus the operational needs specific to artist requirements. Being part of the Perth art scene means being part of a vibrant, connected community that values creativity, culture, and place. For me, it means recognising and respecting my position as an Aboriginal artist who respects Noongar Nation’s people. I believ, Perth is also a place for every story, and definitely Business was intended to be a intersectional multicultural work to engage artists and communities from diverse backgrounds to share their perspectives relating to cancer and family.
I am hoping Business can contribute to education and social wellbeing of people and families as well as organisations. I’m always hoping my work supports a multitude of artists which means valuing their work through fair pay, accessible opportunities, and sustainable career pathways. I’ve been very fortunate to have access to incredible studios and exhibition spaces, as well as creative hubs that supported my creative development and presentation of this work.
Finally, an artist is never working in isolation. The ability to engage the audience is essential in all aspects of a work’s creative life, in-person as well as through social media assets and platforms. This could be enhanced for someone like me. Business‘ creative developments and workshop facilitation supported my work to build stronger connections with a diverse community. I believe by investing in artists, cultural spaces, and community engagement, Perth will continue to grow to be a dynamic place where a magnitude of contrasting creativity is celebrated and all artists are empowered to thrive and create more diverse and various artworks.
Thank you for the opportunity to continue to share and develop my art, and to work collaboratively with so much love. And to so many people who shared as they chose to, thank you. I love theatre and writing, I love you all who felt connected to this work and encouraged further creative engagement, there is more to come…one step… at a time.
Image by Franco Smargiassi