Maggie Wilde West has been inducted into the WA Women's Hall of Fame.
Camera IconMaggie Wilde West has been inducted into the WA Women's Hall of Fame. Credit: Karen Wheatland

Mandurah’s Maggie Wilde West honoured in 2022 WA Women’s Hall of Fame

Tyra PetersMandurah Coastal Times

After 50 years in the theatre and performing arts industry, Mandurah’s Maggie Wilde West is being honoured in the WA Women’s Hall of Fame 2022 photographic exhibition.

Every year the WA Women’s Hall of Fame acknowledges “inspiring” women and this year Ms West is one of 16 women to be recognised.

Ms West has been acting, directing, writing, teaching and creating unique theatrical performances for communities throughout WA and Australia for more than half a century.

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She is the executive director of Vocal Ensemble Voiceworks (VEV), a not-for-profit community organisation based in Subiaco which provides professional performing arts training and performance opportunities for all members of the community, including people with disabilities.

2022 WA women's hall of fame inductee Maggie Wilde West says theatre is for everyone.
Camera Icon2022 WA women's hall of fame inductee Maggie Wilde West says theatre is for everyone. Credit: Karen Wheatland

VEV comprises Voiceworks, a large, professionally-directed non-auditioning community choir, and VoiceworksPLUS (VW+), a comprehensive performing arts program for people with disabilities.

She is also a pioneer and tireless advocate for the inclusion of people with disabilities in the performing arts. She is a founding member of Disability in the Arts Disadvantage in the Arts (DADAA) in WA and also produced and directed the first original theatre production for an all-disabled cast in Australia.

The performing arts veteran said it was a great honour to be recognised in this year’s WA Women’s Hall of Fame.

“I’ve been in the industry for over 50 years and ever since I was a little girl this is what I saw myself doing,” she said.

“Theatre is not just for people like me who came up through that professional trained route, theatre is for everybody and so I think the work that I’m really proud of is the work that I’ve done working with communities in helping them to find their voice and tell their stories via the performing arts.

“We need theatre because it tells our stories and any healthy society needs to have an active theatre where people can explore themselves, who they are and how they fit into this society and what they need to do.”

Ms West will give a free talk at the Alcoa Mandurah Art Gallery on Friday, June 24, at 3pm.