PROFILE 9
Emma breaks down performing arts barriers
JACOB
JAC
MOSS
MO
Email
Email: jake@tbw.com.au
ACTRESS, circus performer,
singer, burlesque beauty, Mount
Gambier born and raised
performer Emma J. Hawkins
stands just over a metre tall, but
through “the power of stage” her
true stature is revealed.
Since Ms Hawkins left “her
home in the Mount” at the age
of 19, she has danced, sung, and
stilt walked her way into touring
with some of Australia’s class-act
companies, including the likes of
Circus Oz, the Sydney Theatre
Company and Arena Theatre
Company.
She’s also founded and is
now artistic director of Atypical
Theatre Company, which
promotes fair representation of
disability in the arts.
Emma believes such an
institution is vital in “breaking
down barriers” for performers
with disabilities.
“It was very hard for me
beginning in the industry - I was
given more jobs based on my
physicality than my talent like a
whole lot of Christmas acts,” she
said.
“I realised quite early on that
this was not something I wanted
to do for the rest of my life.”
Emma said it had only been in
the last 10 years, as she acquired
a more prominent profile, that she
was taken more seriously in the
industry.
“Along the way, I have realised
more and more the barriers
faced by disabled performers
trying to break into the popular
mainstream scene - it is a bit
closed,” she said.
However, according to Emma,
“barriers” are something she has
had to deal with her entire life.
“It was hard growing up as
people treated and looked at me
different because of my physicality
- some would even make fun,” she
said.
“To survive this you really
have to maintain a high degree
of self-worth - people still often
get awkward and don’t know how
to act - I hope by continuing to
ARIES: (March 21 - April 20)
Lucky Colour: Silver
Lucky Day: Monday
Racing Numbers: 2.3.6.9.
Lotto Numbers: 2.13.30.36.39.8.
Your emotional life should be quite stable during this period
but some irritating aspects could emerge in your circle of
friends. Sudden travel plans could be popping up.
TAURUS: (April 21 - May 20)
Lucky Colour: Yellow
Lucky Day: Wednesday
Racing Numbers: 3.6.5.8.
Lotto Numbers: 3.25.26.34.45.1.
You should be feeling so much better and full of vim and
vigour ready to tackle any task put your way. There could also
be a lucky streak coming your way pretty soon so keep your
eyes open.
GEMINI: (May 21 - June 21)
Lucky Colour: Blue
Lucky Day: Friday
Racing Numbers: 2.3.6.9.
Lotto Numbers: 2.15.24.40.22.9.
Business and pleasure will not mix during this period so keep
them separate for the sake of peace. A good opportunity to
gain financially and more interest is taken by people who
matter.
Kerry Kulkens Psychic Line 1902 240 051 ( call cost: $5.50 incl GST per min. mob/pay extra)
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do what I love doing I can break
some of those barriers.”
Ms Hawkins said she was
comfortable in her body, however,
it was others who were confronted
by her appearance.
“People become awkward
around somebody who looks
different - I used to find it
unfortunate that my physicality
was more interesting than what
was coming out of my mouth, but
now I use it to my advantage on
stage,” she said.
“You can’t blame the nature of
people - it is natural that when
you meet someone, you see them
first ... it is about getting past
those appearances.”
Emma says this can only be
done through educating people.
“We need to have people
understand that we are no
different - this can all start with
the children who come to the
circus,” she said.
I used to find it unfortunate
that my physicality was
more interesting than what
was coming out of my
mouth, but now I use it to
my advantage on stage
Emma Hawkins
Emma said the stage was a
place where her physical size
became irrelevant.
“The buzz which the stage
gives me is a real equaliser for
me - normally people are looking
down to me, but when I am up on
stage I am confident and they look
up - this is the power of the stage,”
she said.
“Through using one of the most
physical mediums, I am able to
transcend my physicality - I use
‘being unique’ to my advantage.”
Emma said she had just finished
a tour with internationally
acclaimed Circus Oz during which
her dream was realised.
“You find respect in the most
unusual places - it was in the
circus that I was just treated as
part of the team, rather than
somebody different,” she said.
“It was a dream of mine to
perform in the circus - I have
a great admiration for circus
performers.”
CANCER: (June 22 - July 22)
Lucky Colour: Cream
Lucky Day: Monday
Racing Numbers: 2.5.8.9.
Lotto Numbers: 2.15.28.9.6.33.
You might not be in the best of moods during this period but
you will realise that most of your bad moods are caused by
your own unbending attitude. Do yourself a favour and relax
and take things easy for a change.
LEO: (July 23 - August 22)
Lucky Colour: Green
Lucky Day: Tuesday
Racing Numbers: 1.5.2.6.
Lotto Numbers: 1.5.26.35.40.22
Demand everything in writing during this period, as verbal
agreements are not worth anything. Your love life should be
much better and someone special could bring a smile to
your face.
VIRGO: (August 23 - September 23)
Lucky Colour: Violet
Lucky Day: Thursday
Racing Numbers: 4.6.8.5.
Lotto Numbers: 4.12.25.29.36.3.
Luck is very much the word during this period, it could be
in love or money matters or both. Keep away from gossipy
people as they may cause problems and watch out for
promises made under duress.
Ms Hawkins said her varying
talents came from her drive to test
herself.
“I put a lot of energy into
challenging the audience and
provoking them to look outside the
box, so it is only appropriate that
I challenge myself - for example,
when in the circus, I had to stand
on someone’s head in an act”.
According to Emma, it has been
her fearless determination to face
challenges that has led to “making
it” in the entertainment industry.
“You don’t think of the cards
that you are dealt, yet rather get
on with it and be proactive - it has
taken a lot of blood, sweat and
tears to get to this position,” she
said.
The same effort has now
transformed into sequins, glamour
and “va-va-voom” as she takes
to the stage in the form of her
newest alter ego - a burlesque
beauty.
“Burlesque is like a striptease
as an art form,” she said.
“It is a very powerful form of
expression for women - as there
are no men involved - it can be
used to make objective comments
about politics or the human body.”
She explained how modern
burlesque had recently grown in
popularity and the ways it differed
to a striptease.
“You do not get completely
naked, but use the powers of
suggestion and seduction to
theatrically and humorously
perform,” Emma said.
“Through working with Maude
Davey in the No Strings Attached
Theatre Company I have found it’s
not all about taking your clothes
off, but really quite an interesting
art-form.”
The Adelaide-based No Strings
Attached Theatre Company
has set out to provide creative
opportunities and training
programs for artists with
disabilities.
Emma said her ambition
was to break into the popular
mainstream of the industry and
bring other disabled performers
with her.
“We try to beautify Australia
with mostly stereotypical blue-
eyed blondes filling our screens
- this is really not the truth of BREAKING BARRIERS: Rachel High, pictured left, and Emma Hawkins
what this country is about,” she will perform in an Adelaide burlesque show featuring performers with
said. disabilities. Picture courtesy of JAMES ELSBY.
LIBRA: (September 24 - October 23) CAPRICORN: (December 21 - January 19)
Lucky Colour: Blue Lucky Colour: Dark Green
Lucky Day: Wednesday Lucky Day: Sunday
Racing Numbers: 5.6.8.4. Racing Numbers: 2.3.5.6.
Lotto Numbers: 5.12.4.11.13.20. Lotto Numbers: 2.15.26.36.37.44.
This could be the period in your life when you meet the one People could have an ulterior motive to what they do during
and only provided you are single of course. But keep away this period. But in financial and business matters you should
from other people’s love affairs as your opinions could vary be taking care of your own interests and no amount of talking
a lot. should sway you.
SCORPIO: (October 24 - November 22) AQUARIUS: (January 20 - February 19)
Lucky Colour: Pink Lucky Colour: Gold
Lucky Day: Monday Lucky Day: Saturday
Racing Numbers: 1.5.2.4. Racing Numbers: 1.3.2.5.
Lotto Numbers: 1.15.45.40.22.23. Lotto Numbers: 1.12.15.26.34.40.
Most of what you try will succeed and the success will be Your financial situation should be improving considerably in
permanent provided you keep your peace with the authority a short period, the thing to do is to keep your eye open for
figures that matter in your life. Love life is in for a lift. opportunities. Fortunate trends in your love life also.
SAGITTARIUS: (November 23 - December 20) PISCES: (February 20 - March 20)
Lucky Colour: Blue Lucky Colour: Green
Lucky Day: Friday Lucky Day: Monday
Racing Numbers: 4.6.2.5. Racing Numbers: 2.3.5.2.
Lotto Numbers: 5.12.4.10.22.9. Lotto Numbers: 1.12.15.26.36.38.
Make sure you have all the relevant documents etc that is It is advisable to go slow in your personal relationships
needed in your business ventures now. Any problems should rushing into new things will not work out. You could find
be tackled with the help of professionals. You might have to someone interesting in a completely new situation you have
face a problem from the past. not been before.
533232
SMS 199 242 76 ( $4 send/rec) Visit www.kerrykulkens.com.au
The Border Watch, Wednesday, September 1, 2010 - 9