Media & Publications
Cameron Woodhead, The Age - 2019.
Political theatre doesn't get better than this.
"Irine Vela seamlessly directs... electrifying theatre"
Anastasia Tsirtsakis, Neos Kosmos - 2019.
New play 'The Audition' explores what it's like to externally be the 'other'
"The Audition was, I thought, a really interesting chance to delve into their stories as immigrants and asylum seekers, but also to look at analogies for their lives as performing artists." - Irine Vela
Myron My, My Melbourne Arts - 2019.
The Audition asks us to consider the stories we seek on stage and to question how these are presented to us.
"The direction by Irine Vela (Outer Urban Projects artistic director) ensures that regardless of whose story is being told, we remain aware of all the characters. She establishes a clear purpose for every movement and scene, so when Mary Sitarenos' character is sitting by the grave of a loved one or Milad Norouzi’s character holds on to a basketball, we understand exactly what they are feeling and what this symbolises."
Richard Watts, Arts Hub - 2013.
Two-speed cities: can art bridge the urban divide?
"For us it’s been really interesting to see that disconnect, despite the fact that there is an extraordinary amount of talent – artistic talent and interest and hunger – within the communities that we work with in the outer urban belt." - Kate Gillick
Poetic License, Northern Star Weekley - 2017.
Whittlesea teen Dante Sofra takes some poetic license
“The Whittlesea resident has been putting his emotions and life experiences down on paper since he was 11 years old, after becoming involved with not-for-profit performing arts company, Outer Urban Projects."
Anastasia Tsirtsakis, Neos Kosmos - 2017.
Seeking connection and truth through poetry
“Art, writing, can bring us in touch with ourselves and also in touch with other people. It generates empathy, understanding, in a way that you can’t do in a school textbook or you’re not going to get on the news." - Irine Vela
Patricia Cornelius, The Sydney Morning Herald - 2014.
Outer Urban Projects shows the true face of contemporary Australia.
"This is a company... pushes boundaries of our cultural identify and tells the truth about who we are."
Michael Brinley, Stage Whispers - 2017.
A boat is a vessel, carrying life across dangerous seas, and a womb is a vessel, carrying life across a dangerous world.
"United by its theme, the piece conveys so many facets of life experience with great clarity. There is nurture, but there is also conflict, rage, loss, rejection, the chatter of gossip and unwanted advice – and then again joy and the warmth of community and, especially, family."
Kylie Northover, The Sydney Morning Herald - 2015.
Irine Vela: Giving a voice to the 'real Australia'
"On our stages and in our media, we stereotype 'the other'. That's just not the reality; it's just not true. And the best way to address that, we think, is by presenting artists from countries that are somehow demonised by our media and reduced to a stereotype, a cliche." - Irine Vela
David Collins, Arts Review - 2017.
Poetic Licence
"Songs are stories and there’s music throughout, whether harp, guitar, beatbox, or poetry and the human voice itself."
Michael Brinley, Leader Community News - 2017.
Bundoora performer set for role in new Art Centre show Vessel
“I connected with Vessel because I’m from a different ethnic background and the production expresses theme I can relate to.” - Simone Etheve