Teenage Boss Host Emma Watkins on Working in Tasmania

by Hobart Magazine

Beloved children’s entertainer Emma Watkins, former Yellow Wiggle and holder of a doctorate in sign language, is bringing her new show as Emma Memma to Tasmania.

You were in Tasmania for three months this year filming for ABC’s Teenage Boss. What Tassie things did you get up to in that time? I absolutely loved my time in Tasmania already this year — I was very fortunate to meet ten families from all around the state and they each recommended some excellent places to visit and cafes to try. Most of my time I spent filming so I was indoors enjoying the hospitality of these beautiful families, but I did get to visit the Anvers Chocolate Factory which I have to admit during lockdown a few years ago, I would order directly from Anvers straight to my house and indulge in wayyyyy too much of their gorgeous chocolate.

We should refer to you as Dr Emma Watkins — you have a PhD in integrating sign language, dance and movement for children’s media. Why is Auslan and visual communication in children’s entertainment close to your heart? I grew up with some deaf friends and hence Auslan has always been around in my life in some form or another. Visual communication is something I care deeply about because communication pathways and choices are different for every child, their family and support networks. After meeting many deaf children and those using visual communication systems during my time performing, I realised how powerful and beneficial visual language can be in giving children options to express themselves and feel included.

*Emma with her goats: Strawberry and Cream. Pic: Supplied*

You’re bringing a new live show, Dance Island Party!, to Hobart and Launceston in the July school holidays. What can families expect from the show? Families can expect a joyful and interactive experience filled with music, dancing, and jellyfish blobbing! Dance Island Party! is a celebration of movement and communication — featuring new songs, big colourful props, beach trolleys, coconut trees, snapping crocodiles and some very familiar faces like BB Butterfly, Waffles the Wombat, of course Elvin Melvin and our lovely dancing Memma mates. The show is structured to encourage participation through music, movement and visual cues — making it engaging and accessible for all children. Overall there is quite a lot of twirling and I encourage the Dads to start practicing their Dance Dad moves as we have some prizes to be won!

What separates Emma Memma from Emma Wiggle? Emma Memma is a completely new world — one that’s built around accessibility, self-expression, and inclusive communication. While Emma Wiggle was a wonderful chapter, Emma Memma is where I’ve been able to bring together my academic research, my love of dance, and my passion for sign language into something entirely new. The Emma Memma world is not just a show — it’s a new way of connecting with children through movement and meaning.

Once this run of shows is over, what are you looking forward to? After this leg of the tour we will be prepping for our September/ October tour so I’m sure there will be some exciting new songs to practice by then. But I am very much looking forward to filming some brand new content to share with everyone on Youtube and some other new platforms for us so stay tuned… more wombat dancing on the way! Also, my sister Hayley and I have been working on some projects that we are very excited to share with everyone and the only hints I can give are – sparkles are included and travel is necessary.

Saturday 19 July at The Tramsheds Function Centre, Launceston, then Sunday 20 July at Theatre Royal, Hobart.

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