Community Noticeboard
Melbourne International Arts Festival announces its Schools Program 8-23 Oct 2010
Revealing the depth and breadth of the 2010 Festival, this engaging Schools Program delivers the best possible connection between the educational journeys of Victoria's school students and the dynamic creativity of Melbourne International Arts Festival. The Festival’s 2010 Schools Program provides some great opportunities for schools to engage with the Festival, including a review writing competition for students and free educational resources for teachers to use in the classroom. Of special interest to English Teachers is The Beckett Trilogy: Molloy, Malone Dies & The Unnamable by Samuel Beckett. Irish theatre company Gare St Lazare Players Ireland have adapted Beckett’s seminal fictional trilogy into a three-hour tour de force performance that vividly captures the subtlety, humour and despair of this literary masterpiece and masterfully brings the original works to life on the stage.
Book now and take advantage of our fantastic educational group discount across a wide variety of events. Most events in the Schools Program are only $15 per student, with one complimentary teacher ticket for every 10 student tickets purchased. The Festival welcomes you and your students to Melbourne International Arts Festival 8 – 23 Oct 2010.
For full details and Schools Booking Form visit www.melbournefestival.com.au/education, email education@melbournefestival.com.au or call (03) 9662 4242.
ANTIGONE by Sophocles
High In the quiet dawn after the end of the latest war, one of the last surviving daughters of the ruling household slips away to bury her traitor brother. By the end of the day, her simple act of love will have brought the state to its knees. Sophocles’ magnificent tragedy cuts to the core of one of the conundrums of the twenty first century: how to balance the heart of the individual with the ever-shifting demands of the state. This burning verbal battle between Antigone and her uncle the ruler Creon, unfolds with fierce dramatic logic and terrifying precision. As the action carves its way onwards, Sophocles lays bare the full splendour and folly of the human species. And along Creon’s well-intentioned path to catastrophe we get a truly brilliant portrait of flawed leadership.
The elements of Greek tragedy have rarely converged with the devastating perfection found in Sophocles’ Antigone, one of the most frequently studied and debated works of its time. Originally produced circa 442 B.C., the play’s intricate layering of religious and gender issues has made it a fountain of inspiration for feminists, political students, and religious theorists while the basic struggle between a monarch and a determined individual makes this one of the most accessible works from the dawn of theatrical productions.
This is an ancient play about here and now. It will be presented in a contemporary context and setting, and made especially accessible for students studying the text.
Directed by George Marotous, Antigone is presented by Melbourne High and Mac.Robertson Girls’ High Schools and will be performed in the Memorial Hall, Melbourne High School.
Performances: Wednesday 8th to Saturday 11th September at 7:30 pm. Saturday matinee at 2:00 pm.
Bookings: http://mhstix.com.au Phone Enquiries: 9824 0480
More information: http://resources.mhs.vic.edu.au/mhsproductions/antigone.html
New Australian Play - “I write What I See” about the work and life of acclaimed literary figure, Christina Stead.
Christina Stead was described by Patrick White as a “novelist of genius”. Her work is both laser sharp in detail and epic in its exploration of the human condition. In a Women’s Weekly interview she claimed she could see the “passions of Medea” still surging through a mother with a child in a pusher! The play aligns well with the themes of text representing its social and cultural context and exemplifies the issue of adaptation and transformation of text from one form of writing to another. This could provide great discussion material for students studying Year 11 and Year 12 Literature. The work also ties in with the broad themes of Exploring Issues of Identity and Belonging and Whose Reality? The season at The Old Council Chambers, Trades Hall, Carlton runs from Wednesday 13 October to Sunday 31 October 2010. We would be happy to provide a special matinee performance for the students on either Wednesday 20 or Wednesday 27 of October at 12:30, at the special price of $20.00 per student (minimum numbers apply) followed by discussion with the actor and director. A script can also be provided to you prior to the production. Please do not hesitate to contact the director and author, Darryl Emmerson on darryl@jeack.com.au. For more information go to our Website at: http://iwritewhatisee.com/.
A DREAM FROM THE EAST: New Perspectives on Shakespeare
9 September 2010. Looking for ways to enliven your students’ understanding of Shakespeare – exploring the universality of his themes and the vibrancy of his craft? Want to gain insights on how Asian perspectives can inform and extend the English curriculum? A Midsummer Night’s Dream – by Korea’s Yohangza Theatre Company creates a world where fantasy, dreams and magic are interwoven with Korean mythical folklore. Bursting with mischief, rhythm and boundless comic energy, this production proves that language is only one element of Shakespeare’s genius. The Arts Centre together with the Multicultural Education Unit (DEECD) present a practical Professional Development session for English Teachers built around this inspired retelling of Shakespeare’s classic comedy. With a focus on the convergence between Eastern & Western approaches to illuminating Shakespeare’s text, this evening of discourse, activity and contemporary Asian theatre will provide teachers of English with the skills and confidence to successfully integrate Asian perspectives into their teaching of an enduring text. Meal, PD and ticket provided all for only $35. Download a flyer here.
Melbourne Writers Festival – Schools’ Program 2010
Monday 30 August to Thursday 2 September 2010
Join us for four jam-packed days of events at Federation Square, and events for students from primary school through to VCE and beyond. Program is now available at www.mwf.com.au! Guests include David Metzenthen, Jackie French, Alice Pung and Andy Griffiths and session topics cover everything from mermaids to monsters. With very special appearances from songwriters, such as Archie Roach and Shane Howard, and a live video link with none other than Neil Gaiman, it's set to be a feast of books and writing. Don’t miss our Big Ideas series specially programmed for senior students!
All tickets $6, all welcome. Teachers with a group of ten students will receive a free ticket. For schools’ program events and bookings visit www.mwf.com.au or call 03 9999 1199
We welcome contributions to our noticeboard from organisations running events that they believe to be of interest to teachers of English.
Please email details of your event to Kate Gillespie (kgillespie@vate.org.au). |