“Art is long, life is short,” is a comforting reminder for aspiring playwright Kathleen Thomas.
As a young BIPOC creative seeking to step foot into the theatre-making industry, I want to tell stories from a place of cultural authenticity that honours my lived experiences. My love for storytelling and performance evolved as a way to cope with the instability of moving around so much as a child. I found comfort in the fact that both are such universal and profound forms of expression, accessible anywhere and anytime. They allow me to express my feelings and thoughts in a safe space of my own making, where I feel heard and seen. The stage has always felt like a space where I could play and express myself without fear of judgment. This was so precious to me because I frequently moved between India and Australia growing up, and never really ‘fit in’.
Ultimately, my goal is to tell stories that, to some extent, change people’s perceptions of the world and enhance their understanding of themselves and the human condition. Growing up without having characters that looked like me on stage or screen, I’ve developed a burning passion to uncover and reclaim stories of people of colour and bring them to the forefront of the evolving literary-dramatic canon. I want to use my unique skills and voice as a theatre-maker to show POCs that their experiences, stories and histories matter to the world and should be brought to light. Through my work, I want to actively contribute to increasing diversity in the storytelling industry. To provide audiences with a sense of validation and assurance that they are not alone, it is crucial to recognise that their hybrid identities are worthy of celebration and representation.
Children and youth of colour need to interact with diverse work reflecting their unique experiences, especially the struggle to balance traditional expectations with progressive hopes and dreams as they move into adulthood. Through my work, I intend to demonstrate the profound importance of the arts and the humanities, especially in such turbulent times, ultimately inspiring increased engagement and recognition of the arts’ value in contrast to other fields.
My creative work so far extends to poetry, short stories and dance. I write in sporadic bursts, often during my daily commute or free time. Writing is a deeply personal and introspective act that nourishes my soul, helping me process and understand my emotions during times of strife. As I grow in my practice, I commit further to my writing and develop it into a consistent, sustainable part of my routine, rather than letting it depend on whenever inspiration strikes. It is a lifelong journey and will continue to evolve with time. I still haven’t written my first theatrical work, and I am searching for various forms and structures to find my style.
I’ve always been fascinated by movement pieces. The intricate planning and perfect execution of synchronised bodies in space to convey a story have always rendered me awestruck. My own background as a dancer might also influence this. As I develop my creative practice, I would love to create abstract movement pieces that use contemporary dance to merge both traditional and newer movement styles, akin to physical theatre.
I want to share an excerpt from my most recent poetic composition, ‘Ars Longa, Vita Brevis’, which is a Latin phrase that translates to ‘Art is long, life is short’. It’s a phrase I have encountered recently but have found to be a comforting reminder of the transcendent endurance of art, and the labour of the artists who have created it. I hope it inspires you to keep making and interacting with art. To always keep the sparks in your souls and minds alive.
Through art, we live infinite lives, but
Deep down, we will never be satisfied
So we make art to quell the ache in our souls
That humanity itself wasn’t enough for
To create ourselves a home
Palaces out of paper and prose
To tell the stories that haven’t yet been told
Capturing the world
And holding it in the palms of our sweat-stained hands
Chiselling castles out of blood and tears
To confront and tame all our fears
Working ourselves to the bones
For a higher purpose
That our eyes may never witness
Within this brief lifetime.
That is the artist’s blessing and curse.
For better or for worse.
There is pain in beauty.
There is beauty in art.
There is art in humanity.
And there is art in me.
This article was written for Diversity Arts Australia’s StoryCasters project, supported by Multicultural NSW, Creative Australia and Create NSW.
