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

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

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

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

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.