Winning the Robert Juniper Award for the Arts can be a significant stepping stone for emerging creatives, providing not only financial support but also the confidence and opportunity to bring ambitious ideas to life.
For 2021 recipient Haylee Whisson, the award helped turn an original theatrical concept into a fully developed production, despite the considerable challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.
A writer, actor, director and theatre-maker from the Perth Hills, Haylee's project, Menswear, explored the sometimes hilarious, sometimes uncomfortable realities of working in retail, while delving into bigger questions about anxiety, workplace culture, societal expectations and finding one's place in the world.
And as we'll discover, Menswear was just one chapter in Haylee's developing creative career.
Bringing Menswear to life
Inspired partly by her own experiences working in a menswear store, Haylee became fascinated by the stories people shared during their shopping experiences. Behind what might appear to be an ordinary purchase were often extraordinary personal stories – funny, moving, surprising and occasionally quite confronting.
She also witnessed workplace harassment and the pressures experienced by retail employees, providing further inspiration for a play that would examine life behind the shop counter.
With the support of the Robert Juniper Award, Haylee set about researching, writing and developing the production.
The project involved much more than simply writing a play. Haylee undertook research into retail culture, workplace harassment and the psychological toll of feeling trapped in an unfulfilling job. She interviewed retail workers, particularly those in menswear and fashion, gathering first-hand experiences that helped shape the characters, dialogue and storyline.
She also invested in developing her own skills, completing a comedic playwriting course and further acting training through the Perdekamp Emotional Method (PEM).
With an initial script completed, Haylee worked with a dramaturg and director, undertaking several rounds of revisions and creative workshops. She also took responsibility for much of the production's creative design, including costumes, props, set elements, lighting and sound, working alongside industry professionals to bring the concept to the stage.
A little thing called COVID
Like so many performing artists at the time, Haylee's plans were thrown into disarray by the pandemic. Her original intention was to take Menswear to FRINGE WORLD, but ongoing restrictions and uncertainty made that difficult.
Rather than abandon the project, she adapted.
Haylee secured an opportunity through KISS Club, a program that provided rehearsal and performance space, and ultimately presented a showing at Midland Junction Arts Centre. Although audience numbers were restricted, the performance attracted members of the arts industry, including producers and mentors, whose feedback helped her further refine the work.
The result was a completed script, a developed theatrical production and, importantly, the opportunity to test the work in front of a live audience.
Haylee was particularly appreciative of the support provided by RJAFTA, acknowledging that the scholarship had enabled her not only to develop Menswear but also to grow as an emerging artist.
A career continuing to gather momentum
When Haylee was announced as the 2021 scholarship recipient, she was already an accomplished young creative.
A graduate of the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA), where she completed a Bachelor of Performing Arts in 2019, Haylee had been writing, performing and producing theatre since 2015.
At just 19, she founded Onset Theatre Company, creating a production for the 2017 FRINGE WORLD Festival. Her early work explored mental health among adolescents, reflecting her interest in creating theatre that entertains while also encouraging audiences to think about important social issues.
In 2020, she co-founded Lady Business Productions, a female-focused theatre company, and in 2021 she was part of the creative team behind HAIR, working as co-creator and performer at the State Theatre Centre of Western Australia.
Her creative pursuits have also extended beyond the stage. Haylee has been involved in film, including the 2021 short film Maenad Fever, which went on to receive recognition for its ensemble cast at the 2022 Deep Cut Film Festival.
She has also continued working across Perth's independent arts scene, including involvement with projects such as KISS Club and The Gatherers' Collective, alongside producing, creative direction and arts marketing.
These experiences demonstrate the breadth of Haylee's talents and her ability to work across many different aspects of the performing arts industry.
Giving back to the arts community
Perhaps one of the most pleasing developments in Haylee's story is that her relationship with RJAFTA has come full circle.
In 2024, Haylee joined the Robert Juniper Award for the Arts Board as a Trustee, bringing her experience as a former scholarship recipient and working creative to the organisation.
It is particularly valuable to have someone who has experienced the scholarship first-hand involved in helping support the next generation of emerging artists.
Haylee has also been a wonderful advocate for the Award, speaking at RJAFTA events and sharing her experience with other young creatives. At a recent RJAFTA Winter Concert, she welcomed the audience and spoke about the significance of the scholarship and the opportunities it provides.
Reflecting on her award, Haylee described it as a game-changer for her as an independent artist, providing both financial support and recognition. She also spoke of how the encouragement of her community had strengthened her commitment to continuing her artistic practice.
A worthwhile investment in creative potential
From developing an original theatrical production during a global pandemic to working across theatre, film, production and arts marketing, Haylee Whisson has certainly made good use of the opportunities that have come her way.
Her journey is also a wonderful example of what the Robert Juniper Award for the Arts is all about. The scholarship is not simply about funding a single project; it is about investing in people, encouraging experimentation, developing skills and giving emerging creatives the confidence to take their ideas further.
And for RJAFTA, having a former recipient return as a Trustee is especially rewarding. Haylee knows what it means to receive that support, and now she has the opportunity to help ensure other young creatives can experience it too.
We look forward to seeing what comes next!