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Events
Performance

Benched

  • Image by Ren Williams
    Image by Ren Williams
Performance
BOOK NOW
Benched
Part of Midsumma Festival 2022

Thursday 10 to Saturday 12 February 1.30 - 4.15pm, every 15 mins
Last session starts at 4.15pm
Event Information

Benched by Jamila Main is a one-on-one performance that ruminates on athleticism within a disabled body.

Even the players on the bench get an orange slice. Pick the ball, shoe or frisbee; and take a seat. Jamila invites you to join them on the bench for an intimate moment of one-on-one storytelling, exploring athleticism, childhood, and disability.

‘Jamila Main is a delightfully fresh powerhouse of talent.’
– The Advertiser.

Presented by Midsumma Festival and Pillow Fight in association with Footscray Community Arts.

Date & Times
When

10 – 12 February

Venue
Entrance Gallery
Cost

$15

Accessibility

Auslan interpretation will be provided for sessions on Saturday 12 February.

Live Access Options

  • Support person/carer/interpreter welcome to come into the show.
  • Printed copy of the script can be available for the audience member to read along with the live performance. Large printed copy is also an option.
  • Performer can describe the space and their-self.
  • Performer can refrain from making eye contact.

Remote Access Options

  • Digital pre-recording. A link to a recording of the performance. 
  • Zoom performance. A zoom link for a live performance.
Meet the Artist
  • Jamila Main
    Jamila Main

    Jamila has been writing and performing work for the stage, screen, and livestream since 2016. Jamila has worked with Sydney Theatre Company, Adelaide Festival, Malthouse Theatre Company, Darlinghurst Theatre Company, Adelaide Cabaret Festival, State Theatre Company of South Australia, Vitalstatistix, Midsumma Festival, and ActNow Theatre.

    Notable roles include Phoebe in the development of Curiosity (dir. Shari Sebbens, Sydney Theatre Company, 2021); Milla in Butterfly Kicks (dir. Mary Angley, Rumpus 2021); and Sita, Jamila’s feature film debut in Shadow (Back to Back Productions). Jamila has also performed in L’Hotel (Adelaide Cabaret Festival, 2021); Aleppo. A Portrait of Absence (Adelaide Festival, 2020), and is a regular at Vitalstatistix; devising and performing How Long Can This Last? with dramaturg Emma Valente, 2020; the development of Set Piece by Nat Randall and Anna Breckon, 2019; and the Adhocracy Emerging Curator in 2019.

    In 2021 Jamila created and performed Benched, with seasons presented by FELTspace, Carclew for SALA Festival, and Headspace Berri, with seasons to be presented in Melbourne and Sydney in 2022.

    Jamila is a researcher at Back to Back Theatre, was a 2020 Carclew Fellow and a 2021 Artist-in-Residence at Carclew, is currently a Co-Chair of the Equity Diversity Committee, an Advisor for Australian Plays Transform, a Disability Consultant and Advocate, and a founding member and Access Coordinator at RUMPUS.

    Jamila is a queer, disabled artist and ambulatory wheelchair user. Accessibility, inclusion, and joyful rigour inform Jamila’s award-winning practice. Jamila graduated from the Acting program at Adelaide College of the Arts in 2018 and holds a Bachelor of Arts in the Advanced Program for High Achievers (Drama and International Relations) from Flinders University.

    Image by Pamela Boutros.

Ticketing

This is a past event