Workshops

It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge.

- Albert Einstein

Student Workshops

State Theatre Company will be offering the following workshops for students in Years 9 – 12.

Objective Movement 16 & 17 March (Sold Out)

Presenter Jo Stone

This workshop will look closely at body language and creating movement-based action. Participants will work with text and physical vocabulary to learn movement techniques and scene work through self-devised theatre methods. Jo Stone has worked extensively with leading dance theatres and practitioners worldwide and choreographed Metro Street for State Theatre Company in 2009.

Brecht 23, 24 & 25 March (Sold Out) 22 & 26 March (Limited Places)

Presenter Corey McMahon

What made Brecht’s work so extraordinary and influential? This workshop will consider the dramatic forms of Brecht’s theatre. What is epic theatre? What techniques did Brecht use to alienate his actors from their characters and the audience? Through practical examples students will understand the cultural, historical and political contexts that influenced Brecht’s work.

American Drama – Arthur Miller 20 April (SOLD OUT) 21 April (New Session)

Presenter Geordie Brookman

Through lecture, demonstration and participation this workshop will introduce students to the works of Arthur Miller. A director and two actors will work with excerpts from The Crucible and The Price, and explore the themes, content and history of theatrical tradition surrounding this esteemed American writer.

Australian Drama May 10 (Limited Places)

Presenter Geordie Brookman

Through lecture, demonstration and participation, this workshop will compare the contemporary Australian play The 7 Stages of Grieving by Wesley Enoch and Deborah Mailman with classic pieces from Ray Lawler, Michael Gow and David Williamson. A director and two actors will work with excerpts from the plays, exploring the influence these writers have had on Australian Drama and the theatrical techniques employed by each to reflect their unique view of our culture.

Absurd Drama 22 & 23 June (Sold Out) 24 & 25 June (Limited Places)

Presenter Alison Howard

What were the social, historical and theatrical forces that brought this new explosive style of performance into being? What were the techniques used by these bold new playwrights? Covering work by Beckett, Ionesco, Pinter and others, a director and two actors will take your students on a bizarre journey into the surreal world of the absurdists.

Shakespeare – romeo&juliet 26 & 28 July (SOLD OUT) 27 July (Limited Places)

Presenter Alison Howard

Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet has all the key ingredients and themes for a young contemporary audience. Join us on an exploration of this masterpiece as we unravel the language and demystify the poetry of passion of the greatest tragic love story ever known.

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Workshops On Demand

This Education initiative sends professional artists into schools to teach practical workshops to students from Year 9 – 12. Each workshop can be tailored for your students’ background and experience and timetable.

Duration: 2 hours
Year Level: 9 – 12
Group Size: Maximum of 25

Booking process:

Select your preferred workshop
Contact our Education Manager on 8231 5151 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Discuss preferred dates, times and requirements
Receive an invoice as confirmation of your booking

Accent Workshop with Rob MacPherson

Rob MacPherson (Mnemonic, The Real Thing, Triple Threat, Steven Spielberg’s The Pacific) will run this workshop for students interested in accents of all shapes and varieties. A sought after voice coach, Rob will take the group through all the tricks of the accent trade.

A native of the USA, Rob trained as an actor at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and has studied voice in the UK under Royal Shakespeare Company voice coach Andrew Wade, Robert Palmer, and Patsy Rodenburgh. He has worked as an accent coach for theatre and film throughout Australia.

Acting Techniques with Elena Carapetis

Students will be introduced to a number of different approaches to acting. Elena will then take them through practical exercises exploring and demonstrating a number of techniques and skills used for these acting methodologies. Some of these may include Stanislavsky, Practical Aesthetics and Laban. The students may also explore other acting related issues such as text analysis, preparing for auditions and the realities of the industry.

Elena graduated from the National Institute of Dramatic Art. Her many theatre credits include productions with State Theatre Company (Uncle Vanya, Triple Threat, Things We Do For Love), Brink Productions, Malthouse Melboure and Flying Penguin Productions. Film and TV credits include Look Both Ways, Elephant Tales Blue Heelers, Water Rats, All Saints, Murder Call and Heartbreak High.