Beginners’ Call – Episode 2: Virginia Antonipillai, Mammalian Diving Reflex Creative Producer, Nightwalks with Teenagers

“It can start off very awkward, maybe a little bit uncomfortable but at the end of it you get this really beautiful experience.”

Diving into uncomfortable situations sits at the heart of the performance experiences created by Canada’s Mammalian Diving Reflex. But what starts as difficult, awkward and even a little terrifying can give way to beautiful connections and surprising interactions, says Creative Producer Virginia Antonipillai. Rather than shy away from the challenge, Brisbane audiences are flocking to experience Mammalian Diving Reflex’s site-specific and social-specific immersive performance, Nightwalks with Teenagers, at Brisbane Festival 2022.

“Let’s have teenagers lead us through a city and involve audience members not only as spectators to our antics but to also participate in them, resulting in a beautiful intergenerational experience.”

In this episode, Virginia explains why no two productions are never the same, how some nights the cast will play a game of basketball with the audience and other nights, they’ll tell a spooky ghost story. She reveals how the young stars of Nightwalks with Teenagers are not professional actors and how the experience seeks to bridge gaps between teenagers and adults by positioning teenagers in a place of influence.

“We need these sorts of activities to reinvigorate the community and get youth involved and really listen to them because they often have great ideas and are left out of big decisions; we need to involve them in life.”

Brisbane Festival returns to fill the city with three weeks of wonder, delight and celebration from 2 – 24 September 2022. For information and tickets, visit brisbanefestival.com.au 

Beginners’ Call records on Turrbal and Yugerra country in Meanjin, Brisbane. Brisbane Festival recognises the integral role Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples play in our creative, artistic and celebration spaces and pays respect to Elders past, present and emerging.

Podcast Curator: Louise Bezzina (Brisbane Festival)

Podcast Guest: Virginia Antonipillai (Mammalian Diving Reflex) 

Podcast Host: Adam Brunes (Aruga) 

Podcast Producer: Gilberto Castillo (The Podcast Boss)