Greetings and G'day All,
As I learn the functions, in and outs and particulars of this site and all that comes with it (and with a great hope that this all works smoothly); Allow me to introduce myself; my name is Brent Downes and I am a poet, writer, performer, theatre academic and enthusiast from Brisbane QLD and I will be representing Theatre People up here.
I have a long interest in Queensland's creative industry, particularly in community and grassroots theatre and arts, which is what my research is about.
Any budding QLD reviewers out there reading this? Drop me a line at brent@theatrepeople.com.au
Or if you just want to say hello I'm always up for a chat.
Peace out,
Brent
About the Author
Brent Downes is a published author, poet, performance artist and scholar. He holds a degree in drama from Australian Catholic University, as well as an honours degree in contemporary theatre and he is close to completing his doctorate exploring the link between artistry and community in contemporary Queensland play writing, he has been published and featured in a number of academic journals and conferences as a scholar of community theatre, contemporary playwriting and production process and performance making. Within the last decade he has published two books "Coat of Arms" (2008) and "In the other room" (2011) which saw him receive the award of Trimaxx International Publishers Feature Author of Poetry for 2011, he has performed at, read and featured at most of Brisbane's spoken word events within the last decade and has performed in tours down the east coast of Australia, Northern New South Wales and The United States of America. He was a feature artist for 2007 Schizophrenia Awareness Week, international special guest at the 2010 Austin International Poetry Festival and has at different times sat on the Program Committee for the Queensland Poetry Festival and the Management Committee of Kurilpa Institute of Creativity INC. He was the co/host and MC for West End's avante garde open mic Contraverse and West End's grassroots gig "Poetry Jam" as well as being a member of Playlab, the Judith Wright Centre and other professional arts organizations in Brisbane. He is passionate about Queensland writing, fostering international dialogue between artists and encouraging the emerging generation of creative artists. Brent can be contacted at brent@theatrepeople.com.au.
