MENTAL - The Mother Load is a creative documentary performance exploring the beauty, grotesque and poetic in the madness and mundane of motherhood being developed by five artist mummas: Carrie McLean, Julie Waddington, Rebecca Thomson, Bryony Geeves and Mel King.
As part of this creative development of this new work in 2019 we offered a number of "creative workshops for mothers" across the state – for mammas to come and have a play, to have some creative self-care and (where possible) child free time.
The workshops had a mix of simple creative exercises, time to share stories and have a cuppa and a biscuit. No stress, for any and every mumma, you did’t have to consider yourself creative, and you could choose how you engage and how much you shared.
Work and stories collected through the workshops will contribute to the creative development process and participants were able to choose how they wish to be credited for their participation and/or to stay anonymous.
We are greateful to the support of our community partners, many of whom helped provide some adjunct childcare and/or activities for children separate to their mummas who attend the workshops to help overcome this barrier to participation.
STAGE TWO COMMUNITY PARTNERS
Child Health Association of Tasmania, ptunarra child & family centre & Derwent Valley Community House, Bucaan Community House - Chigwell, Okines Community House - Dodges Ferry, Ten Days on the Island, Women's Health Tasmania, South Hobart Arts Centre, all that we are, Playgroups Tasmania, Hobart Repertory Theatre and REACT Drama School.