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Podcasts/Multi-arts

Awesome insights

3 September 2020

Posted byRosalind Appleby

Jenny Simpson has launched the 2020 Awesome Festival during COVID-19 and it feels a bit like jumping out of an aeroplane. In this podcast Rosalind Appleby talks with the festival’s CEO and artistic director about the challenges and delights of planning the program.

Jenny Simpson Awesome insights

Jenny Simpson says that, in spite of COVID-19, the 2020 Awesome Festival program is a dream come true. Go behind the scenes with the artistic director of the children’s festival in this candid chat about how children deserve the best, and why every festival needs a marching band!

“This is a dream come true. For many years I’ve been out there saying children deserve the best. But when I started at Awesome in 2014 I never dreamed that we’d be working with the major companies in this way. I am so pleased that our majors are now looking at young audiences. If I’m out there saying children deserve the best, well giving them [‘Snugglepot and Cuddlepie’ by] the WA Ballet is giving it in spades!”

Jenny Simpson, CEO and artistic director of Awesome Festival.

Awesome Festival runs 28 September – 2 October.

Read more about the 2020 Awesome Festival.

Pictured top: Awesome Festival’s courageous CEO Jenny Simpson discusses the challenges and delights of programming a festival during COVID-19.

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Author —
Rosalind Appleby

Rosalind Appleby is an arts journalist, author and speaker. She is co-editor of Seesaw Magazine, author of Women of Note, and has written for The West Australian, The Guardian, The Australian, Limelight magazine and Opera magazine. She loves the percussion instruments which can be found in the uber cool parks.

Past Articles

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