Stephen Barber

Premiering this year as a part of the 20th International AIDS Conference, STATUS is a powerful performance exploring the complexities of HIV stigma in our current day and age.
STATUS has been developed from the real experiences of people living with, affected by and associated with HIV/AIDS in 2014. The play was inspired and created here in Melbourne through interviews with 45 individuals (from all over the world), and the canvassing of their life experiences. The work is designed to change negative attitudes towards HIV, celebrate the individual and start the discussion to overcome HIV-related stigma.
“Our aim is for this production to improve awareness of HIV and challenge the stigma that we know exists towards people living with HIV.”, says Stephen and Michelle Barber (Executive Producers; STATUS). “AIDS 2014 was the perfect opportunity to bring these stories to a truly international audience, and we hope STATUS will touch the minds and hearts of everyone who sees the show.”

To build our amazing set, designed by Shane Thompson.  The actual cots of designing and building the incredibly conceptual and stylized set is approximately $3,800.00  but the total cost of our production is in the vicinity of $55,000.00

Our biggest challenge to date has been the stigma associated with the subject matter of HIV.  The corporate world has been slow to see the opportunity to help. This is a part of the reason why we are doing this piece, to help break down stigma and barriers, to stop HIV being the silent killer that it is.