Joanna Weinberg, The Piano Diaries
artsHub interviews
Writer and composer Joanna Weinberg (12 Shoes, The Unbearable Lightness of Fleeing, Piano Diaries and the soon to be released musical film Goddess) has created four football parents with four very different agendas.
The new Australian musical Every Single Saturday will play a limited season at Sydney’s Theatre Royal in March this year following its premiere season at Glen Street Theatre.
Every Single Saturday is a hilarious and moving musical about four parents whose only common ground is the football field where their kids play on Saturdays. Featuring more than sixteen original songs, dynamic dancing, plenty of laughs and a few tears, this heart-warming and romantic new Australian musical comedy celebrates the pain and the passion of being a parent on the sidelines. The show has come a long way from a ten-minute piece three years ago, and the smaller production at NIDA in 2010.What did you want to be when you grew up?
A fire engine driver.
A fire engine driver.
When did you know you would work in the arts?
About 10 years old. After I was over the fire engine thing. I wrote plays for the neighbours’ kids to star in.
About 10 years old. After I was over the fire engine thing. I wrote plays for the neighbours’ kids to star in.
How would you describe your work to a complete stranger?
I write contemporary musicals.
I write contemporary musicals.
How hard is it to be authentic in the arts nowadays?
I think it has always been hard unless you have a private sponsor who loves whatever you do. I always try and remember that someone has paid to see my work and someone has paid to put it on. I saw an ‘authentic’ artist at the Sydney Festival and the whole audience was bored stiff. He had forgotten that someone had taken a risk on him and that it was his duty to deliver a certain level of skill.
I think it has always been hard unless you have a private sponsor who loves whatever you do. I always try and remember that someone has paid to see my work and someone has paid to put it on. I saw an ‘authentic’ artist at the Sydney Festival and the whole audience was bored stiff. He had forgotten that someone had taken a risk on him and that it was his duty to deliver a certain level of skill.
Is there a mission to your work?
The drama in the ordinary interests me. The conflict in all people.
The drama in the ordinary interests me. The conflict in all people.
What's your background - are there studies that prepare you for this?
I did a three year acting diploma and started performing my own songs and sketches quite early , but I never trained as a writer. I studied piano and singing on and off in various genres for years with private teachers and I still do.
I did a three year acting diploma and started performing my own songs and sketches quite early , but I never trained as a writer. I studied piano and singing on and off in various genres for years with private teachers and I still do.
What's the first thing career related you usually do each day?
At the moment I check the rehearsal report to see if the director wants any changes to the script or lyrics.
At the moment I check the rehearsal report to see if the director wants any changes to the script or lyrics.
Can you describe an "average" working day for you?
Yoga, coffee, check websites and press around various projects, make sure everything is bubbling along, then write till lunchtime. Music in the afternoon, compose and record stuff in my garage studio for whatever I’m doing, then I do domestic stuff and see my kids. If I have a concert then I prepare for that.
Yoga, coffee, check websites and press around various projects, make sure everything is bubbling along, then write till lunchtime. Music in the afternoon, compose and record stuff in my garage studio for whatever I’m doing, then I do domestic stuff and see my kids. If I have a concert then I prepare for that.
What else do you do to pay the bills?
Teach singing , voice and songwriting, to kids and adults.Sometimes in schools and for holiday workshops.
Teach singing , voice and songwriting, to kids and adults.Sometimes in schools and for holiday workshops.
What's the one thing - piece of equipment, toy, security blanket, – you can't work without?
A pen.
A pen.
What gets you fired up?
Bullying.
Bullying.
Who in the industry most inspires you?
Kids inspire me. They have the best ideas and they are so free.
Kids inspire me. They have the best ideas and they are so free.
What in the industry do you despair about?
Talented people not going into the arts because they are afraid of starving. How could we let this happen?????.
Talented people not going into the arts because they are afraid of starving. How could we let this happen?????.
What is the best thing about your job?
Hearing brilliant singers sing my songs.
Hearing brilliant singers sing my songs.
What’s the worst?
No worst currently, I love my job.
No worst currently, I love my job.
What are the top three skills you need in this industry?
Choosing a great team, being able to accept feedback, keeping your vision when all looks hopeless.
Choosing a great team, being able to accept feedback, keeping your vision when all looks hopeless.
What advice would you give anyone looking to break into the field?
Get your work out there and see how audiences react, get it off the page.
Get your work out there and see how audiences react, get it off the page.
How do you know when you missed the mark?
People shift in their seats.
People shift in their seats.
Which of the below phrases best suits your career development to date and why?
a. "The road to success is always under construction. "
b. "Opportunity dances with those who are already on the dance floor."
c. "Success is best measured by how far you've come with the talents you've been given. "
d. "No one can cheat you out of ultimate success but yourself."
b. "Opportunity dances with those who are already on the dance floor."
c. "Success is best measured by how far you've come with the talents you've been given. "
d. "No one can cheat you out of ultimate success but yourself."
D
When do you know you’ve made it?
When you have at least three decades of quality work behind you . Anyone can be famous in their twenties, but to still be working in the arts in your fifties really means you have what it takes.
When you have at least three decades of quality work behind you . Anyone can be famous in their twenties, but to still be working in the arts in your fifties really means you have what it takes.
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