Presented by Drama SA, State Theatre Company South Australia (STCSA) & Adelaide Festival Centre’s centrED

Join three of South Australia’s leading Drama education organisations for an inspiring day of professional learning designed to grow your skillset in supporting students in offstage roles! Attendees will work with arts industry professionals:

• Theatre Design (Katheryn Sproul),

• Stage Management (Bridget Samuel)

• Arts Marketing (Ali Franceschini - STCSA & Renee Gibson – centrED) and network with fellow Drama educators.

The day will suit both new graduates and more seasoned Drama teachers.  Capacity is limited, so register quickly to avoid disappointment.

8:45-9:00 - Registration

9:00-9:30 - Welcome & Information on Organisations (CentrEd/STCSA/DSA)

9:30 - 11:15 - Theatre Design with Kathryn Sproul

11:15 - 11:30 - Morning Tea break  (Catering Provided)

11:30 - 1:15 - Theatre Productions with Bridget Samuel

1:15 - 1:45 - Lunch Break (Catering Provided)

1:45 - 3:30 - Theatre Publicity & Promotions with Ali Franceschini & Renee Gibson 

3:30 - 4:00 - Discussion & Wrap up

The session will be run by members of the DSA Board who are experienced SACE Drama Teachers. The session will offer participants opportunities for questions, problem-solving and open discussions of different approaches to teaching the SACE.

4:00-4:15 Registration 

4:15-5:30 Participants have the opportunity to chat with different facilitators who will be exploring the following...

• Stage 2 Drama: Creative Presentation

• Stage 2 Drama: Group Production/Presentation of Evidence

• Stage 2 Drama: Evaluation & Creativity

• Stage 2 Creative Arts: Products, Inquiry & Practical Skills

• Stage 2 Community Connections B: Folio, Community Application Activity,   

• Fiona from STC will be speaking about State Theatre's workshop offerings as well as shows pitched at high school students. 

• Reflection

5:30-6:00 - General Q&A, Resource Sharing and Networking

​** Coffee/Tea and snacks will be provided for guests to help themselves throughout

Senior Drama Teachers' Forum

Our annual and popular Senior Drama Teachers' Forum will take place on Friday 1st December 2023 (Term 4, Week 7) at Concordia College, 12.30 - 4.30pm.

Session 1: Young Theatre Makers Award and Stage 1 Drama

In 2023, the State Theatre Company of South Australia in collaboration with Flinders University Drama Centre and Drama South Australia piloted the Young Theatre Makers Award as a vehicle for teachers to deliver the Stage 1 Drama course and engage students in authentic industry theatre making processes. 

Presented by Majo Bogatec (Sacred Heart College) teacher of the inaugural winners of the program featuring a screening of the winning performance.

Session 2: Customising SACE Drama - Flexible Approaches to Supporting and Retaining Students

How can some of the SACE flexible learning options like Integrated Learning, Community Connections and Industry Connections support the students who require a different approach in your Drama classes?

Presented by Adele Broster (Leader of Pathways and Partnerships, Nazareth College), Anita Wallace (Drama and INdustry Connections teacher, Nazareth College) and Emily Burns (Drama and Community Connections teacher, St Michaels College)

Session 3: Spotlight on Assessment Type 2 (Stage 2)

Looking for new ideas, creative opportunities and pedagogical innovations to help students respond to and conceive drama? In this session discussion around these areas will take place plus a chance to add your voice and experiences.

Presenters - Zoe Tidemann (Pembroke School), Jamie Hibbert (Pulteney Grammar), Kristen Doherty (Cornerstone College and (Aldo Longobardi (Concordia College).

The Senior Drama Teachers Forum is all about YOU as a Senior Drama teacher and the wonderful things you do. We would love to celebrate the success of our teachers in a quick 'show and tell' at the end of the day so we can inspire each other . Please bring along something you can share with your colleagues that demonstrates success in your classes this year: a great piece of student work, a new task sheet that 'worked', a resource that really helped your students... Success takes many shapes and forms - let's finish the year showing each other the successes we have had in our classes, however big or small!

Celebrating Member Success + Networking

A chance for members to share successful teaching and learning outcomes from 2023 over a celebratory drink!

This event is sure to fill up quickly and spaces are limited, so register now to avoid disappointment!

Join us for an Interactive and practical workshop focussing on the relevance of Commedia dell’ Arte to young people in Australia today. The workshop aims to provide teachers with ideas for engaging students in Commedia through contemporary modes. The workshop will be a combination of both practical and theoretical. Participants will learn the basic postures and walks of some of the main characters, learn the fundamentals of commedia to assist in the development of Lazzi and Canovacci and work together to build a framework for teaching Commedia in a contemporary context. 

BIO

Dr Corinna Di Niro is a renowned specialist of Commedia dell’Arte. She holds a PhD in Commedia dell'Arte for an Australian context and has 20 years of experience performing, directing, and teaching the genre both nationally and internationally. Corinna is the lead editor and a contributing author of the recent text, ‘Commedia dell’Arte for the 21st Century: practice and performance in the Asia-Pacific’ (Routledge) - a first of its kind, and has published widely on the importance of the genre. Corinna’s interest in Commedia lies in the best practice of the root form in contemporary times and strategies for making the genre accessible to diverse audiences, participants, and socio-political contexts. 

An exciting selection of workshops from prominent arts industry presenters. We really hope you can make it to this special DSA event for 2023. The structure of the Mini-Conference appears below. Each presenter will offer three sessions so participants can do all in any order. You make session selections on the day. 

Mini-Conference Programme

9am                 Sign in/ Workshop Sign Up

9:15am            Acknowledgement of Country

9.20am            President’s Welcome and Housekeepin

9.30am            Katherine Sproul- Approaches to Design

10:30am          Morning Tea

10:45–12:15    Workshop Rotation 1

12:15– 1pm     Lunch

1:00-2:30         Workshop Rotation 2

2:30 – 4:00      Workshop Rotation 3Early bird tickets close at 5 pm Monday 12th June.

New date to be advised soon.

Kathryn Sproul, Approaches to Design

In this presentation, teachers will be introduced to the processes of designing for performance. Kathryn Sproul is a nationally recognised designer working across theatre, opera, dance and large events. She will share her process for developing creative and critical thinking, from initial concepts through to practical application, as well as the ways she collaborates with all members of a production team. The presentation will outline specific techniques that teachers can integrate into their practice, assisting the guidance of student designers across all aspects of the production process.  

Artists Bio: Kathryn Sproul is a graduate in Stage Design from NIDA, Kathryn was a Resident Designer for Magpie Theatre and State Theatre Co of SA from 1988 – 1993. Other companies include Patch Theatre, Vitalstatistix, Cirkidz, Legs on The Wall, Playbox, Chamber Made Opera, Hothouse, Melbourne Theatre Company, Red Stitch, NORPA, The Production Company, Adelaide Festival of Arts, Adelaide Fringe Festival, Brisbane Festival & Qld Music Festival.

Nic Tubb

Workshop 1A Beginner session - Projection Mapping Workshop

Using a projector for backdrops is nothing new, but this workshop shows you the next step into projection mapping where almost any surface can be a canvas to project onto, including your actors. I will show you how to set up a projection map for a site-specific show and demonstrate three options for software (PowerPoint, Photoshop and specialist programs) to map a stage, then import your images and run your show.

Workshop 1B Advanced Session- Projection Mapping Workshop

This is a more hands-on session for those who want to try projection mapping in an “I do, we do, you do” style masterclass. I’ll run you through using Photoshop to setup your projection map. Then support you to experiment with projecting onto a couple of mini-stage areas. Bring your laptop and some basic Photoshop skills (understanding layers and the pen tool is useful). If you want to use video in your projections, I can also show how to use masking in Premier Pro (or better yet After Effects).

Artists Bio: Nic Tubb is a High School teacher with a passion for storytelling, digital technologies, embedding creativity and creating real-world connections to learning tasks. Alongside his work as a teacher, Nic is a digital artist, technician, performer and co-creator of professionally produced and funded creative projects. Most recently Nic was the lead projection artist on the 2020 project Letters of the Riverland, commissioned by the Berri Barmera Council, and has a Cert III in Media from the Academy of Interactive Entertainment. He is also the co-founder of Part of Things, a creative ideas hub and gathering place in Barmera, and a respected coach at Riverland Gymnastics Academy.

Ashton Malcolm

Workshop 2 Theatre Devising: Using Physical Tasks to Create New Works

Devising theatre using physical methods can often feel quite intimidating - How should I begin? And how do I create a physical sequence or choreographed movement if I am not a dancer?

Professional actor and theatre devisor, Ashton Malcolm, will share a range of accessible exercises that can be used with middle and senior secondary drama students. These exercises are focused on physical movement, gesture and play; and are designed to empower, encourage and equip students to be brave as they embark on their own devising journeys.

Artists Bio:  Ashton Malcolm is an actor, theatre-maker and teaching artist who works across a range of different forms and practices. Her work includes text-based mainstage theatre; experimental self-devised work, rooted in improvised text and physical gesture; and performance art. 

Ashton graduated from Flinders University Drama Centre in 2009, with First Class Honours, the Drama Prize and a University Medal. She has also studied intensively with Shakespeare and Company in the USA.

As an actor, Ashton’s credits include STCSA and Country Arts SA: Euphoria (2021); Windmill Theatre Company: Grug (2021), Grug and the Rainbow (2016-2018); Windmill Theatre Company and STCSA: Rumpelstiltskin (2016); Patch Theatre Company: The Lighthouse (Adelaide Festival 2020), Yo Diddle Diddle (2017-2018); Restless Dance Company: Guttered (Syd Fest 2023, Bris Fest 2022, Adel Fest 2021), Intimate Space (Seoul Street Art Festival 2019, Bleach Festival 2018, Adelaide Festival 2017); RUMPUS Theatre: The Wolves (2019); Tiny Bricks and Brink Productions: Deluge (Adelaide Festival, 2016); Vitalstatistix Theatre Company: Cutaway: A Ceremony (2013); Vitalstatistix and HotHouse Theatre: Quiet Faith (2014/2015); STCSA: Othello (2014).

David Mealor is a multi-award-winning and critically acclaimed theatre director, producer and teacher.

Workshop 3: The Fundamentals of Directing

David will share the fundamental processes and philosophies that underpin his directing process and methodology that has been developed through a successful career working in the professional theatre industry.

These ideas will be explored with particular reference to the play Oleanna by David Mamet and will include:

• Developing a vision for the play and production.

• Textual analysis and decoding a script.

• Planning a production – time management and the stages of rehearsal.

• Working with actors.

• Building and working with a team – getting everyone on the same page

Artists Bio: David Mealor is a multi-award-winning and critically acclaimed theatre director, producer and teacher. He is an Honours Graduate of Flinders University Drama Centre and holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Adelaide. He was a founding member of Brink Productions and a member of the company’s Ensemble from 1996 – 2005. He has been an Associate Artist of The State Theatre Company of SA and is currently the Artistic Director of Flying Penguin Productions. David’s recent work includes Sea Wall by Simon Stephens and Glengarry Glen Ross and Oleanna by David Mamet for Flying Penguin and the SA Premiere of Prima Facie by Susie Miller for State Theatre SA.

PLANNING FOR DRAMA

Session 1: Building a Process Drama Session

Presenter: Judy Hanel

2: Sequencing a Drama Program for Middle to High School

Presenter: Melissa Newton-Turner

For more information please email: info@dramasa.org

Senior Drama Share Fest

Date: Thursday 16 of February (Week 2)

Time: 4.30 – 6.00 pm

6.00 pm Drinks and Nibbles

Venue: St. Michael’s College 15 Mitton Ave, Henley Beach South Australia 5022

Suitability: Senior Secondary

Synopsis: Drama South Australia is very excited to present an opportunity to maximise our SACE teaching and learning experiences for 2023.

Come along and hear from an experienced group of educators and share your ideas that showcase what we all do in the classroom. This will be a unique opportunity to clarify our programs and assessment tasks and share resources.

Drama SA will also provide a platform for all participants to share their SACE Performance Calendars so we can support each other’s work and engage in more professional development, and incorporate a Shout Out to assist in sustainable sharing of costumes, props and sets.

Come along with a colleague!

Presenters: Emily, Bec and Danii

DSA Hosts: Emily and Danii

Note:               * ** Please bring your laptop or device to access resources.

*Registrations open 24 January and close Tuesday 14 February 5 pm.

REGISTER HERE

9:30 -10:00         Arrival, admin and Welcome to Country

10:00-11:30 -     1 1/2 hr session with Uncle Tamaru

11:30-11:45        Morning tea

11:45- 12:45       1 hr session with April Grava, Manager, Aboriginal contexts in the Australian

Curriculum

12:45 -1:20         Useful resources/Where to from here?  Valerie Harrold and Melissa Newton Turner

1:20 -1:30            Feedback/questions

 First Nation PL opportunity for all educators

Uncle Tamaru

In my role as a Kaurna Elder, I Welcome people to my Country.  I believe strongly in Reconciliation and how we can achieve this by walking side by side. With my connections in both the educational world and the private sector, it is about acknowledging the wrongs of the past, and how we can heal each other and move forward together. My personal passion is the Kaurna language and how we can use language in day-to-day life through Ngaitalya (My respect).   I encourage educators to use language even if they make a mistake. They will not offend me but learn with me.    

April Grava

April is the Manager, of Aboriginal contexts in the Australian Curriculum with the Department for Education SA.  

This workshop will support teachers with understanding the complexities of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures Cross Curriculum Priority in the Australian Curriculum. It will provide teachers with practical strategies to support belonging and identity in classroom resources.

Final Session-Useful Resources/Where to from here?  Valerie Harrold and Melissa Newton-Turner

Valerie is Deputy President of Drama SA, and Drama Australia Liaison Officer.  She has undertaken the Stronger Smarter Leadership Program and was the leadership person for the Christies Beach Primary School Burnborrendi Community group and Aboriginal Education Team.

Melissa Newton Turner  

Melissa is a passionate Drama teacher and Drama education specialist. She works across primary, secondary and tertiary Drama education, and consults with teachers, professional arts companies, and artists. Originating from her work with South Australia's Windmill Theatre Company and primary school teachers, Melissa is currently a doctoral candidate at the Queensland University of Technology. She is investigating how creative partnerships between professional theatre companies, that are inclusive of venue-based live theatre, influence primary school teachers’ drama practice.

Paul Moss from Adelaide University assessment and design department “COG” 

In our work as Drama teachers, we constantly set group tasks and assess these BUT are we being fair to an individual’s contribution to the group? What and how do we assess groups? How do we create the best working cultures and skills for group tasks? 

It is vital for equity, to assess students on their contribution to the assessment pieces. Stage 1 and 2 Drama have at their core, group collaboration and communication, and creativity, but if we are not building our student’s skills in group work, then we are not helping them achieve their best potential. 

This workshop looks at:

• Building group norms and responsibilities, we do this as we help students build theatre companies, write devised pieces and younger students take on group tasks. 

• The group process, its various stages and the pitfalls that come about as some students seek to negate the group process. 

• The various ways we can guide the group process and assess the process as well as the product. 

• Paul will share with us the various ways Adelaide University is seeking to assess individual contribution and develop group skills. 

• As drama teachers, we can use this input with our classes no matter what age, because building these group skills is so important. 

So don’t miss out on your opportunity to upskill your own teaching so you can “RE-imagine” the group work happening in your drama class. Limited places are available so book as soon as you can for a very valuable workshop. 

Venue: Slingsby's Hall of Possibility. Car parking right nearby on Kenilworth Road.

In this workshop, you will walk through an existing Drama unit based on Shaun Tan's picture book, 'The Red Tree', and consider how it can be adapted to your own context. Drawing on this work, you will then begin creating your own Drama unit. You will have the option of basing your unit on a pre-text material of your own choices such as a song, visual art piece, symbol, piece of text, central theme or simply an idea that you will bring with you to the workshop, or on the book, 'Into the Forest' by Anthony Browne provided by the workshop facilitators Judy Hanel, Melissa Newton-Turner and Valerie Harrold. This workshop is suitable for primary school classroom teachers, teachers new to teaching primary school Drama, or teachers who are looking to integrate Drama into their Performing Arts program.

In this free digital workshop, director and co-creator of Rella, Sasha Zahra, and writer Tracey Rigney will take you deep into the adaptation process behind Windmill’s upcoming world premiere production of Rella. Taking you through the fundamentals of playwriting, basic principles of adaptation, and key strategies for creative development and devising, this interactive workshop will give you the tools to introduce some of the world’s most famous stories to your students in a radically new way.

This is a DSA/Windmill free online event via Zoom. Once registered you will receive the Zoom link emailed to you closer to the day.

REGISTER HERE

Presenters: Sasha Zahra and Tracey Rigney

Date: Saturday 19 of February (Week 4) (Yes correct a free event for DSA members) 

Time: 12.00-4.00pm 

Venue: Fullarton Community Centre, 411 Fullarton Rd, Fullarton 

Suitability: Primary/Middle/Senior Secondary 

Synopsis: Drama South Australia is very excited to present an opportunity for all teachers of pre-service, primary and secondary to be involved in a magnificent showcase of ideas, reimaging how we optimise our learning experiences with our students that extend above and beyond the classroom.  

This is a masterclass involving all teachers from the early years right up to senior secondary. A wonderful opportunity to embrace a variety of ideas from leading drama/theatre practitioners ready to restore, revitalise and refresh as we Reimagine the potential of learning in our individual classroom settings.                    

• Group Performance and playbuilding with Zoe Tidemann drama educator/theatre maker/teaching artist.

• Working with Elements of Drama and creating the drama Toolbox with Melissa Newton-Turner drama education consultant.

Presenters:  Zoe Tidemann, Melissa-Newton Turner  

DSA Hosts: Anna Watt 

Book early as we only have 20 places available due to Covid venue restrictions.

SOLD OUT