What have our audiences been saying about OCDiva?
'...an authentic telling of a personal journey in mental illness...'
‘…quirky, worthy, moving, silly, joyful…’
‘…Yasmin is outstanding…’
‘…a brave, talented young performer…’
‘…brought me to tears several times…’
'...an authentic telling of a personal journey in mental illness...'
‘…quirky, worthy, moving, silly, joyful…’
‘…Yasmin is outstanding…’
‘…a brave, talented young performer…’
‘…brought me to tears several times…’
OCDiva is a new, one-woman, autobiographical opera about one woman's struggle to do life, art and mental health. Created for and about mezzo-soprano Yasmin Arkinstall, by an all-female creative team.
Yasmin Arkinstall is a twenty-something-year-old opera singer, TikTok dancer and Western Sydney girl, whose life is turned upside-down by her search for diagnosis and treatment for sensorimotor OCD. Follow Yas on her journey through various therapies and therapists, with a bit of R&B, a dash of music theatre, a TikTok dance, and a whole lot of delicious, defiant, and occasionally heartbreaking, opera.
Please note: 'OCDiva' is technology-enabled to allow the artist, who lives with significant disability, full control of each performance. Not all shows include all songs; each show is different. We hope you enjoy this groundbreaking format.
All performances conclude with a Q&A with members of the Creative Team.
Running time: approximately 60 mins, plus up to 30 minutes' Q&A.
Content Warning: 'OCDiva' contains themes relating to mental health and ableism.
Performances
Mechanics Institute, Lawson
7.00pm, 29 September 2023
Phillips Hall, Blackheath Community Centre
5.00pm, 30 September 2023
A new opera by EVE KLEIN
Libretto by YASMIN ARKINSTALL/SHARNA GALVIN/SARAH PENICKA-SMITH
Movement Director: Jana Castillo
Designer: Olivia Watkins
Conceived and produced by Sarah Penicka-Smith and Melanie Penicka-Smith/Penicka-Smith Arts & Event Management.
Original project development by Sharna Galvin, Melanie Penicka-Smith and Sarah Penicka-Smith.
This project has been assisted by the Australian Government through the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body
Can't get to a show? Why not consider making a tax deductible donation through the Australian Cultural Fund
Yasmin Arkinstall is a twenty-something-year-old opera singer, TikTok dancer and Western Sydney girl, whose life is turned upside-down by her search for diagnosis and treatment for sensorimotor OCD. Follow Yas on her journey through various therapies and therapists, with a bit of R&B, a dash of music theatre, a TikTok dance, and a whole lot of delicious, defiant, and occasionally heartbreaking, opera.
Please note: 'OCDiva' is technology-enabled to allow the artist, who lives with significant disability, full control of each performance. Not all shows include all songs; each show is different. We hope you enjoy this groundbreaking format.
All performances conclude with a Q&A with members of the Creative Team.
Running time: approximately 60 mins, plus up to 30 minutes' Q&A.
Content Warning: 'OCDiva' contains themes relating to mental health and ableism.
Performances
Mechanics Institute, Lawson
7.00pm, 29 September 2023
Phillips Hall, Blackheath Community Centre
5.00pm, 30 September 2023
A new opera by EVE KLEIN
Libretto by YASMIN ARKINSTALL/SHARNA GALVIN/SARAH PENICKA-SMITH
Movement Director: Jana Castillo
Designer: Olivia Watkins
Conceived and produced by Sarah Penicka-Smith and Melanie Penicka-Smith/Penicka-Smith Arts & Event Management.
Original project development by Sharna Galvin, Melanie Penicka-Smith and Sarah Penicka-Smith.
This project has been assisted by the Australian Government through the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body
Can't get to a show? Why not consider making a tax deductible donation through the Australian Cultural Fund
Listen to Julian Morrow's interview OCDiva: Opera with an OCD twist with Yasmin on ABC Sunday Extra
Read an interview with Dan Holmes, The Daily Advertiser, Yasmin Arkinstall and Sarah Penicka-Smith
Read an interview with Dan Holmes, The Daily Advertiser, Yasmin Arkinstall and Sarah Penicka-Smith