Volume 1 Number 17


Hi Folks,

Hey, my end of semester break began today!  Yippee!   My break consists of doing some front-of-house work for some friends with whom I started a theatre company some years ago, Class Act Theatre is presenting MacBeth at Rechabites Hall.   And I'll be showing you to your seat and plying you with drinks at interval.   Then the following week I'll be attending the Innovative Technology Schools Conference to see what toys are available and how they might be applied to our Learning Area.  Needless to say there is nothing specifically on offer for Drama, but I've signed up for a series on "Constructing Curriculum Objects" which I hope to steer towards addressing the dearth of material appropriate for Drama Education.   

I've also been asked to be a judge in the LEGO Robocup competition at Scitech in August.  Students are required to program robots to perform a range of tasks including playing soccer, rescue and dance.  I'll be judging the Dance section I believe.   This is the type of project that can bring together often diverse faculties of the school community and I think Drama educators have a responsibility to ensure they are aware of the possibilities and opportunities that such events can offer their students and the boost to enhancing and advocating the worth of Drama Education.

I have a couple of books to give away in the near future - so stay tuned for details.  I have a copy of Ray Kurzweil's "The Age of Spiritual Machines" and Andrew Leonard's "BOTS" both books relate to developments in the field of technology and artificial intelligence and provide a gateway to the issues that will affect Drama education in the not too distant future.  A book will be given to 2 randomly selected contributors to the Drama Education Lessons or Resources section.  That means if you decide to provide a resource (a class handout, an article, a document, etc) or a lesson plan, program of work or substantial activity that can be made available to others via the Drama Education website then you will be in the running to collect one of these books.  No fancy rules and regulations - basically at my discretion 2 books only will be given away.

I am still running my online survey for another few weeks.  A few people have queried the meaning of "digital environments" - really this just refers to any computer-mediated communication system.   PLEASE: refer any colleagues to the survey, especially those who might not normally be browsing the web.    I would like to ask for your assistance in completing a short survey I am conducting.  It relates to my return to studies at university.  It has 12 questions and should take less than 2 minutes of your time.  Essentially it is a quick look at attitudes towards Drama and Technology.  

Please participate in the 
DIGITAL DRAMA
survey.

LESSON/ACTIVITY IDEA

Last week I wrote about an approach to Theatre History but also raised the quandary of where do we find appropriate examples of theatrical style?  This week I would like to organise some feedback from you in this regard.   When looking for visual examples of theatrical style, where do you turn?  For example, when it comes to Greek Theatre I grab my trusty copy of "Mighty Aphrodite" - a Woody Allen film starring Mira Sorvino and Woody... the examples of Greek chorus are wonderful.  And it has the added benefit of showing contemporary scenes where the leader of the chorus (F. Murray Abraham) exits the chorus and enters scenes with Woody Allen (as protagonist).  The Internet Movie Database has a good overview of the film.  "A lot will probably be made of the fact that, not satisfied with merely pointing out classical references in his text, Allen decided to have a whole Greek Chorus (consisting of F. Murray Abraham, Olympia Dukakis, David Ogden Stiers and Jack Warden) filmed in an ancient outdoor amphitheater in Taormina, Italy (wearing masks, no less, in a nod to classical authenticity) and genuflect on the alter of genuine myth to underscore the tragic and comedic parts of his film."

So what I'd like you to do is make a list under the following headings

Film Title:
Year of Production:
Internet Movie Database Reference:
STYLE/S represented:

Then go to the Contact page on the Drama Education website and use the form there to send me that information, which I will compile and make available via this newsletter in the future.

RECOMMENDED WEBSITES

This research process explores the encounter between the performer and the virtual body in cyberspace: stage merges with screen, cyberformance happens and our concepts of theatre are turned inside out. We will journey through chat-rooms and email lists to discover a theatrical (r)evolution of language, meaning, performance and technology.

The ABC Experiment has been initiated by cyberformer Helen Varley Jamieson, who is engaged in an ongoing exploration of the collision between theatre and the internet. This project is inspired by the audience reaction to a demonstration of cyberformance in Denmark with Desktop Theater.

Quite an extensive collection of links to all manner of site related to Theatre History. 

PROFESSIONAL NEWS

Dr Josephine Fantasia presents...

An interactive lecture on performance theory and theatre history
"Making sense of theory in TEE Drama"
Murdoch College (Lecture Theatre 1)
Thursday July 10 @ 9.30 - 12.00
Cost: $20.00 PER STUDENT

BOOKINGS: 9336 6111 or wordplay@iinet.net.au

The lecture will use performance methods to explain to Drama Studies students the performance theories and theatre history behind Drama Studies set texts. It will look at also look at shaping ideas into essay form for the written examination.

Students can also participate in

YEAR 12 Theatre History Revision Workshop
Thurs / Friday 17 & 18 July @ 10am to 4pm
at the Biscuit Factory Arts Centre, South Fremantle
Cost: $110

BOOKINGS: 9336 6111 or wordplay@iinet.net.au

Participants will be involved in dynamic theatre history workshops around set texts to revise key concepts and essay writing.
STRICTLY LIMITED PLACES

http://www.idea2004.ca/

Download the necessary paperwork at the website.

The next world congress will take place 2-8 July, 2004 in Ottawa, Canada.   Hosted by Theatre Canada, this congress will follow a theme of:  "The Universal Mosaic of Drama: walking diverse pathways together; finding new directions".

For further information about this event, please contact the organizing committee at the following address.
Wayne Fairhead wfairhead@oise.utoronto.ca

RECOMMENDED RESOURCES

The History of Theatre (CD - Audio Recording)
by David Timson, Derek Jacobi (Narrator)


Following the success of The History of Opera, Naxos produces the history of drama and the stage from ancient Greece through the twentieth century in an accessible program. With master Derek Jacobi and actors who excerpt from dozens of plays as guides, the listener is treated to a fascinating chronicle for students, aficionados--and even anyone with a passing interest in history or theater. Jacobi illuminates the cultural heritage surrounding each period in a style both grand and approachable. David Timson's text is rich and involving. The linear sequence is tracked on the CD version, and the excellent liner notes to the plays, the excerpts, and the music round out this significant program. R.F.W. Winner of AUDIOFILE Earphones Award. © AudioFile 2001, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine

 

The Making of Modern Drama
by Richard Gilman

This highly acclaimed critical exploration of modern drama begins with Buchner and Ibsen and then discusses the major playwrights who have shaped modern theater-Strinberg, Chekhov, Pirandello, Brecht, Beckett, and Handke. A new introduction by the author assesses developments of recent years.

 

Kim Flintoff

Copyright © September, 2004