Ash
by Ashlea Pyke
Ash is a dynamic exploration of self and what it is to operate in the world as neurodivergent; pre and post an adult diagnosis.
From Ash
Ash is a hard pale wood.
Ash is a seed that needs fire to grow.
Ash is all that remains.
Ash is my name.
Much is written about Autism and young people. A space of paradox; difference and fitting in, directness and confusion, a space of openness and shut down. But What of Adults? Specifically, a 36-year-old Ocean Grove woman so blindsided by her own neurodiversity, so convinced by her masking, she had no idea she was living with a complete stranger in her own head.
Ash is a dynamic exploration of self and what it is to operate in the world as neurodivergent pre and post an adult diagnosis. A deeply personal telling that explores themes of identity, freedom and lived experience. Ash explores these ideas using innovative large-scale animations, harmonising with pre-recorded clips, playing with rhythm and timbre to build a sensory soundscape.
After 20 years as a professional performer with lead roles in commercial musical theatre, this opportunity offers Ash a transition from performer to maker, to empower and have control over creativity as well as an opportunity to connect with other local neurodiverse women, girls, and gender diverse people to incorporate other’s lived experience of creativity and difference into the work.
This project is part therapy, part adventure, part catharsis. A living, breathing organism. An exciting exploration of the liberation and connection to self that is born post-diagnosis.
About Ashlea Pyke
Ashlea began her professional career at 17 and has toured extensively as a performer in commercial musical theatre. Credits include We will Rock You, My Grandma Lives in Gooligulch, Oklahoma!, SHOUT!, Eddie Perfect’s Shane Warne the Musical, Hairspray, ‘Serena’ in Legally Blonde and ‘Columbia’ in the Rocky Horror Show. She originated the role of Billy in the MTC/Arena Theatre Company production of Marlin. Ashlea has worked as movement co-ordinator on Arena’s Trapper, choreographer and assistant director on the Spicks and Specks Farewell tour, choreographed numerous shows for Melbourne international comedy festival including Judith Lucy and Denise Scott’s award-winning show Still Here and was involved in the adaptation of Alan Broughs Charlie and the war against the Grannies, from book to stage both as a performer and choreographer.
Ashlea’s experience helping to workshop, develop and originate the role of Juniper in the Helpmann award winning Robot Song with Arena Theatre Company and Jolyon James was a life changing experience for her, shifting the way she viewed both herself as a creative and the possibilities in creating ambitious, exciting works for young people. It inspired her to enrol in a Bachelor of Arts majoring in creative writing to enhance her ability to make meaningful, inclusive theatre with an impact. Having her own children only further inspires her to build and perform theatre that encourages young people to ask questions and take risks. Ashlea is currently adapting Alison Lester’s beloved book Imagine for stage as lead creative development artist and assistant director and is about to go into rehearsals as choreographer for Christos Tsiolkas’ Loaded at the Malthouse Theatre.