Corey McMahon

I am a theatre director based in Adelaide, South Australia.  I have been directing both locally and nationally for over 8 years. My focus is on developing and producing new plays for the stage. I am passionate about telling stories that explore the ideas of our time and the complexity of the world we live in. My aim is to provoke, challenge, move and surprise audiences with the work I direct. 

I have been offered a rare opportunity to spend 2 months with Max Stafford-Clark and his theatre company, Out of Joint based in London. Max Stafford-Clark is one of the UK's leading directors of theatre, in particular new writing for the stage. He has over 50 years experience and was the Artistic Director of the Royal Court Theatre from 1979 to 1993. Max is renowned for his unique method of working with playwrights to help them develop their plays and for the way he works with actors in the rehearsal room to bring out the best in their performance. His method of directing is exacting, methodical and detailed.

I will be assisting Max on a season of new political satires. 'A View from Islington North' will feature the work of playwrights such as Dave Hare, Caryl Churchill and Mark Ravenhill. The production will be presented at the Arts Theatre in London's West End.

For more information on the production, check out this article from The Guardian: http://www.theguardian.com/stage/2016/feb/22/david-hare-imagines-chancellor-in-crisis-west-end-political-satire-season

Working with Max Stafford-Clark will be an invaluable experience. As a mid-career director, I believe it is vital to seek out new approaches to creating theatre, to refresh my skills and explore new ways of working with playwrights and actors. I will bring these new skills back to Australia and use them as a part of my work. This will mean playwrights, actors and most importantly audiences will experience the benefit of this exciting residency with Max Stafford-Clark through the work I direct and present. The offer to work with Max has come through at the last minute and so I am unable to seek funding or support through government agencies such as Arts South Australia or the Australia Council.  However I am determined to take up the residency and so will be funding my time in the UK myself. But I am hoping to get your support to help out with a small top up to my funds so I can make the most of my time with Max and his company.

Your support will help me pay for my return airline ticket to London, travel insurance and some initial start up costs once in London.

Airfare -$2000
Travel Insurance - $350 (RAA Insurance)
Start up costs (Oyster card, Mobile SIM card, Heathrow Express tickets to and from airport to London) - $150