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We had the opportunity to sit down with Khym Harris, director of COSI, the CONDA nominated act that took place at the CAS. Here’s what we found out:

1. What do the CONDA awards mean to you as the director of a play like COSI?

To be honest, it was really unexpected so it’s a real surprise. In saying that, the cast was phenomenal. I guess it is validation that the CONDA judges noticed how talented each cast member was…which is exactly how I felt bringing all of these amazing actors together for Cosi. I’m pretty blessed…and excited. These actors absolutely deserve each and every accolade.

2. Why do you think COSI received a nomination for a CONDA award?

The cast just brought so much depth and soul to each character and I think that really resonated with the audience. Nothing was fake or forced…audiences are way too clever and switched on to sit through the theatre where copious amounts of gimmickry try to push the story arcs along. Cosi, as a play, allowed for the cast to just tell the stories of each character – the good, the bad and everything in between – without any level of bias. The timing also worked to our advantage. After lockdown, people needed to not only lose themselves in the theatre but also find themselves reflected in the characters…all the messy, complicated, funny, heartbreaking, kind and not so nice parts of being human. The cast worked exceptionally hard to make sure every subtle nuance of each character was authentic. I’m stoked that all that hard work paid off.

3. What do you love about the plays of Louis Nowra?

Louis writes about what he knows and then allows for the actors to deep dive into each character. It can be easy to just skim the surface of a play like Cosi, but then you miss all the messy bits about being human. There is always a danger that you can go too big and force the audience into a certain way of thinking. Louis doesn’t do this, he throws out titbits of what we already know about the human condition and wraps all this in-character dialogue – coaxing the audience to be brave enough to hold a mirror up to themselves. With Cosi, Louis is bringing parts of his lived experience to the page, all the quirks and drama, the whys and the loose ends. His writing allows for actors to bring as little or as much of their own experience to the characters and this, in turn, allows for the audience to grasp onto a word, a sentence or a scene that resonates with them. He doesn’t expect anything, everything ‘just is’ and I love that. Plus, Cosi is such a stunningly authentic Australian play. How can anyone not like it?

4. When programming this play, how much did you consider the challenges of staging this very complex play in the small and unique CAS Theatre?

To be honest, the CAS Theatre was perfect for staging Cosi…almost too perfect. With Cosi set in a burnt-out theatre – we had the perfect space as the CAS was going through renovations, complete with cladding falling from the ceiling. By not having to have to do too much to the set, other than dress it with props, allowed for the audience to focus on what was happening on stage. The smaller size of the theatre lends itself to actors being subtle in their actions and the space being intimate enough that people feel safe in the space. It is my ideal theatre.

5. How/why did you get into this industry/directing?

I always loved the magic and spectacle of theatre and was always collecting programs and scrimping and saving to go to musicals when I was younger. My parents had a vast collection of musical theatre tapes and my brother, sister and I learned to harmonise on long car trips. At uni, I majored in writing and film and continued to be creative wherever I travelled. When I was teaching out West, I coordinated theatre sports programs and wrote and directed student productions. When I came back to Newcastle I auditioned for community theatre and have been lucky enough to tread the boards in quite a few shows. (Shout, Thoroughly Modern Millie, The Wedding Singer, Into the Woods, Miss Saigon, Chess). My name was mentioned as wanting to direct some shows and ATWEA were happy to take a chance on me. I honestly thought I would direct a musical. Finding out I was about to direct a play was a surprise. Luckily I like surprises!

6. Have you been an actor yourself? How has being/not being an actor influenced you as a director?

I have been privileged enough to do a few productions here in Newcastle and I just loved being surrounded by creative types. I’ve spent so much time watching casts who told stories and made me feel on a cellular level. If emotion meant not being note-perfect, or skipping a line or mucking up a dance step, I honed in. I love having a ‘hair standing up on the back of your neck moment. That’s what I encouraged. Real first, perfection (if it occurred) later. I also love getting to the ‘why’ of something – why would a character say that, move there, etc. I really wanted the actors in Cosi to delve into the nitty-gritty of particular backstories. Bring the ‘what might have happened in the past’ to their portrayal of the characters. They were brilliant at this, constantly questioning motives and backfilling any gaps. I’m all about the telling of the story, the whole story…but not wanting to spell it out to the audience.

If emotion meant not being note-perfect, or skipping a line or mucking up a dance step, I honed in. I love having a ‘hair standing up on the back of your neck moment. That’s what I encouraged. Real first, perfection (if it occurred) later.

7. What was your favourite part of the rehearsal process?

I would have to say the audition process. I decided to be bold and have all of the actors’ audition at the same time by reading their monologues to all of the auditionees. Cruel, but essential. I really wanted to see both the courage and the vulnerabilities of each actor and further see how everyone else supported each other during the process. Cosi is such an ensemble piece and everyone needs to fit together perfectly without shaving off too many sharp edges. I had everyone partaking in theatre sports type activities (playing imaginary volleyball) just to get a feel for the comfort levels and see how much people were willing to trust me and the process. It worked. I ended up with an ensemble of incredible thespians.

8. What have you enjoyed and what have you been challenged by in the COSI production?

I think the biggest challenge was reminding myself that I was in charge…and that was really daunting especially as I’m a team player and love input and ideas and problem-solving. I ensured the cast had a say in how things were done every step of the way and then only stepped in if something wasn’t working. I also made sure we had time set aside to check in with the cast. There are some really complex and potentially triggering concepts highlighted in Cosi so it was imperative that the cast knew they had a safe place to debrief. There was also the challenge of a few cast changes brought about by illness and having to postpone the original dates. Luckily we had incredible actors willing to jump on board. In terms of enjoyment, I just loved how everyone supported each other every step of the way. No ego, no drama, no pretence, just the hardest working, most creative group of people I have ever met. Need a piano made? Got it. Need a coffee? Got it. Need costumes? Got it. It’s rare to experience that level of camaraderie in the theatre and I truly hope I get to replicate it again.

9. What do you think audiences loved about COSI?

I think it was the light and shade. The content is really confronting. You’re taking characters that have complex mental health and placing them in the spotlight. That can be really confronting, so you have to make sure the portrayal is honest but done with so much sensitivity. Cosi doesn’t suspend disbelief, it holds a mirror up…close. I love that the play has a distinct ebb and flow in terms of offbeat funny moments, disturbing backstories and heartbreaking disclosures. One minute you were laughing, the next you were holding your breath…but it was perfectly balanced.

10. What are your next plans?

I have been promising myself that I will do some writing, so I need to start putting pen to paper and giving life to all the characters that are taking up so much space in my head. I am very keen to direct for ATWEA again and will certainly be throwing my hat into the ring for any opportunities coming up in the hope I get a chance to bring more people together to tell human stories. Please feel free to put in a good word for me!