Sissy Work Production House
Since arriving back on country, Sally has teamed up with Shakira Clanton, a proud Wongatha, Yamatji and Noongar, Gitja yorga (woman) from Whadjuk Noongar Boodjar (Perth) to produce new, inclusive works, creating opportunities for new stories and voices to be heard. Sally and Shakira met in 2017 on Stalker Theatre Company’s Show Creature- Dot and the Kangaroo. Their ideologies and infectious personalities collided and they have been best mates ever since. During this time, the me too movement, inclusion quota’s and discrimination policy implementation where well underway in Australia and Sally and Shak were jus happy to have a seat at the table.
During Sally and Shakira’s combined careers, they have been subjected to exclusion, racism, sexism, cultural appropriation, pigeon holing and toxic behaviour within the workplace. Due to the colonial history of Australia, the foundations of the entertainment industry derive from racist, sexist and discriminatory structures that not too long ago, kept women, aboriginals and people with disabilities, out of the sector altogether. Inclusion within the Australian industry is behind the times comparatively to other nations. The disparity within Australia’s entertainment industry compared to UK arts practices became evident to Sally whilst she build her life abroad and, intern, Shakira continued to experience it first hand.
After constant analysis of our combined lived experience, we are now in motion to start our own production house coming from a place of nurture and inclusion.
This new production house will be the first of it’s kind, marrying International models of social framework with Aboriginal voices and cultural influence. Our mission is to be the leading production house build on the foundation of diverse and inclusive storytelling. Sissy Works will create new work with indigenous and disability representation at the forefront that is not a “tick a box” mentality. We endeavour to tell stories that incorporate all voices being heard in all arts forms, especially film, theatre and television.
We intent to share the findings of our curated social model and framework with other art practitioners and organisations. We are currently seeking funding and in kind support. If you are a champion for diversity within our industry, we would love to hear from you.
