08. AOC X BTC

WITH TARIK, DEAN + SAM

Here it is. A very special one-off episode to celebrate The AOC Initiative and document a pivotal moment in Australian theatre.

In today’s episode, I share a round table discussion with AOC Founder, Tarik Frimpong and AOC Panellist and Equity Diversity Committee member, Dean Drieberg. Tarik is a very talented performer who has starred in West End productions such as ‘Aladdin, The Musical’ and Disney feature films such as ‘Mary Poppins Returns.’ He was also a guest on Season 1 of BTC where you can hear all about his life and career. Dean is an acclaimed theatre director and producer of many shows such as ‘Sunday in the Park with George’ and works with many organisations to strive for racial justice within the Arts.

In our chat we deeply discuss the lack of representation on stage and behind the scenes in the Arts industry, BIPOC casting, the unfolding of the 2020 Rob Guest Endowment and how The AOC Initiative came to be. You will hear all about AOC and what the future of Australian theatre looks like.

It is a raw and vulnerable, honest discussion from all three of us.

Enjoy, and thank you for listening.

Much love, Sam.

*The submission deadline for The AOC Initiative has been extended to 6pm Wednesday September 30th.

Acronyms used in this episode:

AOC – Artists of Colour

BTC – Beyond The Curtain

BIPOC – Black Indigenous and People Of Colour

MEAA – Media and Entertainment Arts Alliance

EDC – Equity Diversity Committee

Links to support racial diversity within the Performing Arts industry:

AOC GoFundMe: https://gf.me/u/yt6pth