b'REFLECTING OUR HUMANITY THROUGH PERFORMANCEWe often strive for perfection, to get everything 100% right. And we use perfection as a measurement of success. Yet few of us are actually able to achieve perfect scores. Whether it is in work, in study or in life. We have this key part of us that usually prevents us from achieving this: being human. Art reminds us what it is to be human. In the performing arts it could be a stand-up comedian who gives us permission to laugh at ourselves or a drama that highlights our flaws. A dance work that pushes the limitations of the human body or a piece of music that delves deep into the emotional turmoil that we all experience at different times. In a darkened space along with other audience members we live out our insecurities, our joys and our dreams and are the better for it.Riverside presents a program of performing arts experiences that reassures us that it is okay to feel elated or down in the dumps, and to respond in laughter or tears. To be thoroughly human. Through the light-hearted fun in Bran Nue Dae of a young person discovering the meaning of home; to an emotional journey of a man trying to be better than his past self through the songs and music of Les Miserables; to differing opinions between family members about what is important in life in Family Values; these and many more performances in these first few months of 2020 examine what it is to be alive through stories from the past and from today. I hope you can join us as we celebrate life in 2020 on Riversides stages and screens. See you in Parramatta!Robert Love AM Director, Riverside Theatres HEAR ME SEE ME FEEL ME LOVE ME'