We sat down with Martin Broadley (he/him) - Midsumma's Program Administrator!
Allow us to reintroduce Martin! Lover of cats and Taylor Swift.
Martin is an all-rounder arts professional with 10+ years of festival and events experience with a multitude of skills in all facets of the industry. Martin has worked front of house, box office, company and stage management, logistics, festival hospitality, artist liaison, marketing and as a Producer. Previously working on a range of touring circus and cabaret shows at arts festivals both in Australia and internationally including Adelaide Fringe, London Wonderground, Auckland Festival, Bread and Circus World Busker’s Festival and Kermezzoo in Brussels, as well as independently producing. At Midsumma, Martin’s role of Program Administrator sees him facilitate the Midsumma Presents program as well as the Victoria’s Pride Street Party event in Collingwood.
Q. Describe yourself in three words...
Short. Sarcastic. Swiftie.
Q. What is your favourite place in the world?
I’m originally from the UK and Brighton holds a special place in my heart. It’s where I was living when I came out as gay and my first experience of queer nightlife. It’s also the first place I ever went to a Pride celebration, and I will never forget that experience.
Q. What drew you to working in the arts industry?
I used to dream of being in musicals when I was a kid and at school was given the ‘Brad Pitt Award for the Student most Likely to be an Actor’ when I was 15 (the certificate was made with Word Art in Comic Sans - still absolutely a treasured possession). But I soon realised I was petrified of being on stage and was much better equipped to being behind the scenes making the magic happen.
Q. What is the future of queer arts and culture?
The limit does not exist.
Q. What is your must-see production/show/event of the year?
I saw TANZ at the Arts Centre Melbourne as part of RISING this year and was blown away. Florentina Holzinger is a making some incredible boundary pushing work and months later, I still can't stop thinking about it. Looking ahead Enemies of Grooviness Eat Sh!t by Betty Grumble at Melbourne Fringe and absolutely the Eras Tour.
Q. What is your favourite song and why?
This is an impossible question and the answer changes on the reg, but right now, Good Days by SZA.
Q. What gets you out of bed on a Sunday morning?
My cat, Roy, at 6:00am lead me to his food bowl and allows me to watch him to continue eating his biscuits.
