Dr Kirsty Reilly on inspiration and the many moving parts of Some Secrets Should Be Kept Secret.
1. How do you approach your art?
I enter the idea/inspiration curiously, playfully; open to the way it presents itself. Listening.I capture the pictures and scenarios that fill my mind and the feelings that move through me. The art grows engaging the artistic mediums needed to bring it to life.
2. Who and what inspires you?
Rich, profound stories that shift and affect me, whether through a play, book, film, music, dance or work of art. Stories with integrity authenticity and beauty.
Music/sound is especially inspiring because it can resonate and reach places inside you in ways that words cannot. One of my favourite artists was/is Pina Bauch.
3. What are you experimenting with in Some Secrets Should Be Kept Secret?
The show will be semi-immersive using most of the spaces at La Mama headquarters. Numerous mediums will be incorporated to convey the story. With many moving parts and layers to this dynamic story and new actors to join THE STORYTELLER team, it's going to be an exciting and wild creative ride!
Kirsty has over three decades of professional experience as an accomplished performing arts practitioner, theatre director, choreographer, movement director, educator and acting coach. A Deakin University(B.Ed), NIDA graduate and Gloria Payton Fellowship recipient, she trained internationally and worked with companies and mentors including Theatre de Complicite, Monica Pagneux, Philippe Gaulier, Sydney Dance Company and DV8.
She holds a PhD in Intercultural Alliance and Relationality in theatre rehearsal practice, specialising in Intercultural Australian First Nation’s theatre making. She was recently Associate Director on Three Magpies Perched in a Tree by Aboriginal playwright Glenn Shea for its 2024 season at La Mama theatre and Monash University, Melbourne.
She currently lives in Geelong and teaches at Grace Acting Studios. She offers private coaching for adults in acting, professional corporate presentations and communication.
Professional experience examples: Director/teacher/facilitator NIDA and NIDA Corporate Melbourne (35 yrs ongoing), teacher at The Conservatoire of Scotland, Melbourne University (VCA), Actors Centre Australia, 16th Street Actors Studio, and movement director /choreographer theatre for companies including MTC, STC, Opera Australia, Griffin Theatre Sydney, Belvoir St Theatre Sydney, and La Mama theatre Melbourne. She continues to work as a director/creator/movement director of independent theatre and dance theatre, acting/performance coach, corporate
communication and leadership skills facilitator, and educator.
Image: Tess Nethercote Way
LA MAMA PRESENTS THE STORYTELLER'S Some Secrets Should Be Kept Secret
10-29 March 2026
FIND OUT MORE AND BOOK SOME SECRETS SHOULD BE KEPT SECRET