(L
to R: Emma Buzo speaking at the 2008
Alex Buzo Memorial
Lecture,
SMH
article 2007,
SMH article 2009,
playwright Alex Buzo and daughter Emma in The Australian
1974)
Influence
the trail-blazing work of the founder and director of The
Alex Buzo Company
Emma
Buzo
who
creates, produces and delivers the company’s artistic
program.
Donations of $2 and over are tax deductible and are
gratefully received at any time. A receipt is sent to
donors shortly after the donation is made.
There
are two simple options for becoming a valued supporter.
Either click
here
to donate securely online or download and complete
an
AbaF donation form
and post it to AbaF.
Emma is one of those brave souls who refuses to forget and
fights hard to get a level of recognition for Australian
artists and for the vital importance of creativity to the
Australian psyche. As one of my characters in my play
‘Emerald City’ said “We must be allowed to tell our own
stories or else we will think that real life happens
elsewhere and is spoken in accents other than our own.”
Please be generous to her cause. She’s on the frontline of
a fight that’s vital to all of us. (David
Williamson,
Advisory Board Member)
‘Emma Buzo...has proved an energetic producer in Sydney's
tough professional theatre sector, surprising many with her
tenacity and entrepreneurial ingenuity.’
(The Australian, July 2009)
Emma founded The Alex Buzo Company in 2007 to nurture and
build upon the work of her late father, acclaimed
Australian playwright and author Alex Buzo who died in
2006. Alex Buzo was a pioneer in the revolutionary New Wave
theatre movement of the early 70’s and his first play Norm
and Ahmed was heralded as the establishment of a truly
Australian theatrical style.
Emma’s 2009 major project was recently nominated for a 2009
Sydney Theatre Award for its groundbreaking production of
Buzo's infamous Norm and Ahmed in a double bill with a
newly commissioned companion play Shafana and Aunt Sarrinah
by Alana Valentine.
Emma feels privileged to be working closely with her
father's extraordinary canon of work and is invigorated by
the memory of his energy, integrity and commitment to
reflecting Australian society as it really is. She
continues to find new ways to sustain her arts organisation
in challenging times and re-invent her father's work in
different contexts. She has established an
education program,
an
annual lecture series
and a
corporate training
program.
Emma is currently securing the support required to produce
her father’s award-winning play
Macquarie
for the bicentenary of Governor Macquarie’s visionary
leadership in 2010. She can’t wait to re-invent it for a
21st century audience and uphold her father’s aim to
enlighten Australians about how their society evolved.
What
is AbaF?
The Australia Business Arts Foundation’s “Australia
Cultural Fund ”was established to encourage people to
donate to the arts and to enable worthy projects to benefit
from this generosity. In the past three years more than $2
million has been donated to AbaF and granted to 270 artists
and cultural organisations – an excellent program
supporting hardworking artists.
What
are the direct benefits of philanthropy?
Emma Buzo engages talented professionals dedicated to the
quality and success of each project. Supporters have
the satisfaction of seeing the direct result of their tax
deductible donation up in lights! Donors and their guests
will be invited to special VIP events and will also be
listed on the company website and in event programs.
What
does it cost to produce events?
An event such as
The Alex Buzo Company’s 2010 major
production
involves 4 weeks of rehearsal, a 4-week season and the
employment of many dedicated theatre practitioners
including actors, directors, designers, lighting designers,
stage managers and numerous technical, front of house, bar
and box office staff. An effective publicity and marketing
strategy is also needed to ensure the success of any
production. Productions generally have expenses between
$150,000 -$300,000.
Valued
donors for the 2009/10 artistic program so
far:
Friends
(up to $500):
Mr & Mrs Warwick Lewarne, Mr Lloyd King, Ms Jann
Woolner Kirkham, Dr Michael Wyer, Dr Beverley Firth, Mr and
Mrs Shane and Robyn Duffy, Mrs Jean Daniels, Mr and Mrs
Paul and Pauline Barratt, Mrs Lenore Adamson, Mr Tony
Hughes, Mrs Mary Hughes, Boston University, Ms Sue Murray.
Associates ($500+):
Mr Hugh Thomson, Mr Philip Thick, Mrs Alison Mitchell, Mr
Stephen Wall, Ms Enid Shoor.
Key
Supporters: ($10,000+):
The Clayton Family
NOW ON SALE - the flagship performing arts event of the bicentenary of Governor Macquarie’s visionary leadership. The rise and fall of Australia’s original big Mac is re-interpreted in this contemporary and contentious production. July 15-31 2010 at Riverside Theatres, Parramatta. Details of production and its stunning cast here
The company’s recent production was nominated for a 2009 Sydney Theatre Award
View images and read more about Norm and Ahmed + Shafana and Aunt Sarrinah
“powerful...fascinating and moving...beautifully
performed...a highly successful double bill."
The Australian
BUZO ED - The Alex Buzo Company’s Education
Program
gives
teachers and students access to a range of workshops,
seminars and professional theatre, plus resources on
Australian theatre and the work of Alex Buzo. Go to
Buzo Ed