This is the first in our Fast Five profiles, a series designed to give a little insight into the people who make up The Joan.
We’ll begin with our CEO, Hania Radvan, who secretly hankers to write and illustrate children’s books and would love to see Paul Kelly or Paul Capsis at The Joan (perhaps even on stage together!).
Describe a day in your working life…
Arrive at desk and work through the emails and urgents – deal with unexpected issues on the way! Catch up with staff and provide support/advice/approvals as needed. Try to shut door to think. Open door due to lack of air. Look at to do list and sigh. Add items to ‘to do’ list. Reprioritise ‘to do’ list due to extraordinary length. Start to work through items….
Actually no day is the same as any other – and I try to work from Gallery at least once a week – try to meet on and off site with stakeholders and potential partners – never get to the end of the to do list – a lot is writing/thinking/liaising with teams. It’s funny how a day gets hijacked – and how the best ideas come out of that detour rather than the plan.
What did you want to do with your career when you were growing up?
Never really had an idea of ‘career’ as such – always knew I wanted to work in the creative arts in some way. In fact as a child I desperately wanted to be a children’s book illustrator and author. Secretly I still do.
What has been your favourite moment or moments in the theatre?
The unexpected ones when you get goose bumps – I love performances that take you out of yourself into another world and that challenge you – emotionally, aesthetically and intellectually. Sometimes it’s not the whole piece just a moment of it that you remember for years after. I love the intimacy of our studio – it’s almost like a private conversation…
…and your favourite / most memorable musical moments?
The first time I saw the ACO at the opera house – they were so young and dashing in their groovy clothes – and played with such passion and precision. Oh that and my first ever pop concert XTC in Hammersmith – I am OLD!!
If I could see anyone perform at The Joan it would be……………………
Paul Capsis, Paul Kelly – I have a Paul thing going on… and lots of independent theatre artists!
Name six people you’d invite to dinner if you could invite anyone at all, living or not.
Oscar Wilde and Stephen Fry (imagine the witty rivalry), Jane Austen, Chekhov, WA Senator Scott Ludlam and my friend Karla for support if that all got too much. Hmm more not living than living….
Hania Ravdan has been CEO of Penrith Performing & Visual Arts since April 2015, and prior to that she was Director of Arts NT. She’s worked in the arts for over 25 years across venue management, ticketing, audience development, marketing, touring support, arts program design, delivery and review, policy development and grants management.