Jo Peoples
Upon retiring from the Performing Arts Collection on 20 November this year, Exhibition Coordinator Jo Peoples thought it only appropriate that she go out with a bang and present an exhibition 35 years in the making – Peoples’ Choice!
She’s picked iconic items from her almost four decade-long career – some that have never been on show to the public, from the shirt worn by Geoffrey Rush as David Helfgott in the film Shine and a costume worn by Cate Blanchett in The Seagull, to the headdress worn by The Indian in The Village People, this exhibition has it all!
“Over the past 35 years, I think I’ve curated about 60 – 70 exhibitions, written millions of words, met hundreds of wonderful theatre practitioners, fed my addiction for theatre performances happily and worked with some wonderful people. What more could I have asked for? And it’s a job I got paid for! I hope I don’t get withdrawal symptoms!” Says Jo of her retirement.
Ever since seeing a production of the musical Salad Days at the age of eight in the old Crystal Theatre in Broken Hill, Jo has had a passion for and love of theatre and music. She was hooked! She went on to become involved in acting with the Broken Hill Repertory Society (which by the way, was founded by her father and three other gentlemen in 1944) and from there, she went on to act with the University Theatre Guild and still plays double bass regularly with the Unley Symphony Orchestra.
The Performing Arts Collection was established in 1979 by Don Dunstan and Colin Ballantyne. Jo started out as the secretary/cataloguer, with just a few boxes of programs that has now grown to over 150,000 items. Tom Dermody who was the Project Officer, left after 18 months and Jo was asked to apply for his job, which she got – right place, right time and a lot of luck.
“I’d never get my job today if I had to apply!” Jo says self-deprecatingly.
The Performing Arts Collection was initially set up under the State Theatre Company in premises at Norwood for 6 years, before transferring under the Adelaide Festival Centre Trust into Festival Centre and here they still are 35 years later!
“Almost everyone has enjoyed some aspect of the performing arts and knows how the experience has enriched their lives. Theatre by nature is ephemeral – what makes some performances more memorable than others? I’ve spent the past 35 years helping to collect, document and preserve the story of the arts in South Australia and I am so proud to have been part of this wonderful adventure.” – Jo Peoples
Celebrate a true South Australian treasure and witness 35 years of unique performing arts history this summer at Adelaide Festival Centre!
People’s Choice Exhibition
When: 12 December 2014 – 22 January 2015
Times: Mon-Fri 9am-5pm and during performance times
Where: Festival Theatre Foyer, Adelaide Festival Centre
Entry: Free
Photo of Jo People’s courtesy of the SA Community History website.
More News
