Block launches new campaign for Black Swan State Theatre Company’s 2019 season
Block has unveiled its first work for Black Swan State Theatre Company – a campaign entitled ‘Where the heart is’, which launches Black Swan’s 2019 season of plays.
Black Swan approached Block to help bring to life the vision of Clare Watson, the company’s Artistic Director. This season, Clare’s programme explores themes of belonging and family. To echo these themes, Block posed a series of universal questions, which informed the marketing communications for Black Swan’s entire 2019 season.
“What does it mean to belong? Where is home? Who’s welcome? While we needed to promote individual shows with a consistent look, we really wanted to bring some of Clare’s bigger themes front-and-centre. We viewed the season both as a series of distinct shows, and as a whole that seeks to engage and provoke,” says Emma Watton, Director of Strategy at Block. “These are issues people in the broader community think and care about, but they don’t always see theatre as a way to explore. It’s a powerful season idea.”
As champions of local talent and artistic collaboration, Black Swan was also keen to work with visual artist, Joanna Lamb. Clare approached Joanna about her involvement as the suburban scenes depicted in her works are distinctly representative of Perth, something that resonated deeply with Clare’s vision.
“We took cues from Joanna’s artwork and colour palette to build on the sense of nostalgia and place. Richard Jefferson’s photographic portraits were designed to inhabit Joanna’s scenes, while standing apart from them. This treatment has been used to create key art for each show,” says Mark Braddock, Creative Director of Block.
Clare says: “A huge thank you to the team at Block for working tirelessly to help us
launch this year’s season. They’ve done a wonderful job of creating a campaign that will spark conversations about what it means to belong. We hope new and faithful audiences alike will be curious to discover ‘Where the heart is’.
The campaign is now running across print, outdoor, digital and social. Along with a trailer, Block has designed installations for the State Theatre Centre lobby – large, furnished boxes spray-painted with provocative questions to get people thinking about what the season’s themes mean to them and others in their community.
Founded in 1991, Black Swan is Western Australia’s premier theatre company. It creates exceptional theatre of national significance, infused with the unique culture of Western Australia. Black Swan is a resident at the State Theatre Centre of WA (since 2011) and over the past 28 years has presented more than 180 productions.
Client: Black Swan State Theatre Company
Artistic Director: Clare Watson
Executive Director: Natalie Jenkins
Marketing Manager: Maria Sioulas
Agency: Block
Creative Director: Mark Braddock
Creatives: Cameron Murray, Louis Boys and Rachel Boon
Art Director: Cameron Murray
Director of Strategy: Emma Watton
Account Manager: Shenelle Manwaring
Account Coordinator: Meghan Loney
Production
Artist: Joanna Lamb
Photography: Richard Jefferson
Videography: Philip Gostelow
Stylist: Chaka Leyla at The Wardrobe Archive
Hair & Make-up: Clare Mac, Vikki Aldridge