Thursday Lunch Club: Dani Harrison

Since 2022, Dani Harrison has brought nearly 30 years of psychological expertise and a passion for musical theatre to Saltpillar Theatre, Melbourne’s leading Jewish performing arts company. Saltpillar provides a safe, inclusive space for young Jewish adults to develop their creativity and explore their identity beyond high school. Dani’s talk will examine the challenges these artists face expressing authentic Jewish identity within an arts environment that can sometimes be politically and socially difficult.

Using Saltpillar’s The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee —which opened a week after the October 7th attack—as a case study, Dani will discuss the difficult decisions made amid community distress. She will also highlight the upcoming Be More Chill (October 2025), demonstrating how Saltpillar continues to support and empower young Jewish artists. This talk offers insight into resilience, identity, and the transformative power of the arts in Melbourne’s Jewish scene.