Monash University Schools Theatre

This year marked the 13th anniversary of the Monash University Schools Theatre Festival. Once again, De La Salle Year 10 Drama students participated. The concept behind the festival is to offer middle year secondary students — generally Years 9 or 10 — an opportunity to explore Drama, in a broader but supported context, beyond the school environment. All of the schools participating in the Festival begin from the same starting point or stimulus. Generally one or two pieces of abstract art are selected by the festival director, Jane Bailey. The idea is that students in each school engage with the stimulus, responding individually and as a group, exploring ideas and following leads or pathways that could be suggested by the artworks. From this point they begin developing a piece of theatre. At a mid point in the process, a visit-the-venue day is held at Monash University’s Robert Blackwood Hall and Alexander Theatre. Students from participating schools join together in workshops that are conducted by students undertaking the Performing Arts Degree at Monash Uni. Workshops on voice, movement, character, improvisation and ensemble work are conducted. Additionally, those students with an interest in the technical aspects of theatre including Lighting Design, Sound, Stage Management and Direction are introduced to the technical features of the Alexander Theatre. On the day each group also presents a ‘work in progress’ showing off the ideas they have developed in response to the stimulus. A panel of professional theatre practitioners watches and offers students constructive feedback on narrative, scene building and design ideas. Upon returning to school each group of students continues to work towards the completion of their piece. In early May, a week-long season of all the completed performances is mounted at the Alexander Theatre. Each night, four schools perform their finished work for each other and the audience. Each school has the opportunity to utilize the light and sound facilities available at the theatre and to see how classroom performances transform with technical support. It is always exciting to perform in a ‘real’ theatre and absolutely amazing to see the variety of ideas and styles of performance that are generated from the same starting point. The event is supported and funded by Monash University, and is of real benefit to any students interested in Theatre or the Performing Arts.

Mr Bryan Smith