JumpStart - DRAMA VICTORIA Mini-Conference 20 February 2021
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JumpStart DRAMA VICTORIA Mini-Conference 20 February 2021
JumpStart 2021 Welcome to JumpStart Traditionally Drama Victoria's JumpStart brings members together at the beginning of the school year, inviting them to participate in a mini conference, to be a part of the Drama Victoria AGM and elect new Committee of Management members. Together we 'jumpstart' our year with workshops and curriculum in Drama education. In 2021 Drama Victoria is focused on strongly advocating for Drama education as an artform, as a discipline, as a pedagogy and as a pathway in life. As teachers we know that Drama has the power to inspire, motivate and bring a sense of belonging and wellbeing to our students. The challenge is - how can Drama grow and flourish in your educational setting? At JumpStart 2021 we offer a rich array of workshops that include a focus on primary, middle and senior years. This year you can engage in puppetry, storytelling, activism, the cross-curriculum priorities, theatre and performance styles, and workshops focused especially on wellbeing and diversity. Our keynote presentation will focus on 'Why Drama?' as advocacy for our subject and all it has to offer students in this ever-changing world. You won't be disappointed! Dr Meg Upton & Jane Carter Conference Co-Directors
JumpStart 2021
Program of Events
Saturday 20 February 2021
9.00am Welcome
9.10am Keynote Address (30mins + 10mins Q&A)
9.50am AGM
10.20am Break
10.25am Morning Tea (Networking)
10.40am 1A A Primary Year Plan - 4 Terms worth of lesson ideas from P-6
Presented by Nicholas Waxman Primary Years
1B The Power of Laughter: Practical Exercises for Breaking Up Stress and Assessment
Presented by Laurence Page All Levels
1C Introduction to Puppet Manipulation: Exploring the Human Condition through
Visual Theatre
Presented by Helen Stephens Middle Years
1D That was Zen and this is Tao - Teaching First Nations and Asian Drama Content and
Perspectives in Middle Years’ Programs
Presented by Dr Mark Eckersley Middle Years/VCE
11.40pm Break
11.50pm 2A Drama Activities to Promote a Healthy and Positive Mindset
Presented by Mary Walker Primary/Middle Years
2B The Great Reset - an Approach to Activism Theatre
Presented by Rachel Forgasz & Lauren Zeigler Primary/ Middle Years
2C SAME-SAME 2.0 - the Online Inclusive Theatre Zoom Experience
Presented by Jeffrey Tan All Levels
2D Suzuki and Grotowski: Creative Strategies and Techniques for the Rehearsal Space
Presented by Rodrigo Calderon, Tessa-Marie Luminati & Lorna McLeod VCE
12.50pm Break
12.55pm Lunch (Networking)
1.25pm 3A Time for a Change: Creating and refreshing your Drama offerings
Presented by Ryan Bowler Middle Years
3B Seeing with New Eyes the Narrator’s Role: Valuing the Power of the Storyteller
Presented by Helen Sandercoe Middle Years
3C Drama- Turning Advocacy into Activism
Presented by Jane Carter and Andrew Stocker All Levels
2.25pm Break
2.30pm Afternoon Tea (Networking)
2.45pm 4A A Conversation with Drama Victoria (all Delegates)
3.30pm Break
3.40pm 5A A Conversation with Drama Victoria: Primary Years
5B A Conversation with Drama Victoria: Middle Years
5C A Conversation with Drama Victoria: VCE Drama
5D A Conversation with Drama Victoria: VCE Theatre Studies
4.25pm Conference End
4.30pm Networking Drinks – Let’s come together for a well-earned drinkJumpStart
JumpStart2021:
JumpStart 2021:Workshop
2021: WorkshopOutlines
Workshop Outlinesand
Outlines andPresenter
and PresenterBios
Presenter Bios
Bios
Saturday 20 February 2021
9.00am – Welcome & Acknowledgement of Country
9.10am - Keynote Address:
Why Drama?
Why is Drama education important? As Drama educators we know the benefits but how do we signal this
to the world. We want our Drama students to have viable pathways in the creative arts so they can contribute
to a smarter and more humane world. Join Associate Professor Rea Dennis from Deakin University's School of
Communication and Creative Arts in a keynote address examining why the creative arts - especially Drama -
are critical to our physical, creative and intellectual future or, why should students study Drama?
Dr Rea Dennis is an Associate Professor in Art and Performance in the School of Creative Arts at Deakin University. Her artistic practice,
teaching and research is in theatre, dance, inter-disciplinary performance, and wellbeing.
9.50am - Annual General Meeting
10.40am - Workshop Session 1:
1A: A Primary Year Plan - 4 Terms Worth of Lesson Ideas from P-6
Presented by Nicholas Waxman
We will talk through and engage in activities for a whole year in primary drama. A week-by-week
guide will be provided to help plan 4 terms of primary Drama from Prep-Grade 6 aligned with the
Victorian Curriculum. Whether you are looking to compare you plan to others, or you're looking for
new ideas, or you've just started, come and see an example of a 12-month Drama plan with no-
repeats. A beginner's rubrics will also be provided to help with assessments.
Suitable for teachers of:
• Primary/Early Years
Nick Waxman has been teaching primary Drama for 10 years in a range of contexts and is aware of the need to scaffold the
drama program from Prep-VCE. This award-winning teacher has worked with Drama Victoria, MTC, Regional Arts Victoria and
recently worked with Performing Arts schools in the USA.
1B: The Power of Laughter: Practical Exercises for Breaking Up Stress and Assessment
Presented by Laurence Page
How many times have you had a tense Drama lesson with tonnes of stress and assessment, where
you've just "pushed through" because you have "no time" and you've "gotta get the work done"? This
workshop aims to provide a logic to de-stressing the class and minimise student and self-anxiety
through the power of humour. Drama teachers will observe and participate in practical comedy
exercises that they can use to break assessment tension across any year level. These exercises have
been given to experienced teachers who wanted to mix up their lessons, as well as beginning
teachers. Most exercises are based on the principles of Clowning and have been used with students
from Year 3 - Year 12.
Suitable for teachers of:
• Primary/Early Years, Middle Years, VCE Drama, VCE Theatre Studies
Laurence Page is a Drama teacher, who owned and managed the Stand-Up Comedy Company, "The Comedy
Generation", for 9 years. He currently teaches Primary Drama in Melbourne after several years working in
Secondary state and private schools in Queensland. Laurence is fascinated and passionate by exercises that
are universal across Primary and Secondary.10.40am - Workshop Session 1 continued…
1C: Introduction to Puppet Manipulation: Exploring the Human Condition through Visual
Theatre
Presented by Helen Stephens
This workshop demystifies the versatile and incredible art form of puppetry and arms Teachers with the
skills to facilitate their students through the creation of their own characters and to devise visual
stories. In a series of exercises, focussing on the fundamental manipulation skills of focus, breath and
gravity, participants will gain a grounding in DPS’ iconic puppetry work through: • The crafting and
use of paper and object puppets • An understanding of Visual Theatre Techniques and Conventions
• An introduction to Puppet Manipulation skills • The opportunity to devise small scale Visual Theatre
performances • A focus on the use of movement and shape to create visual symbol, character &
meaning.
This presentation will be relevant to students F-10 through Australian Curriculum Units on: - Visual
Theatre - Puppetry & Children’s Theatre - Devising & Ensemble Performance and VCAA Senior Drama
connections through Devised Solo Performance & Devised Ensemble Performance Units.
Suitable for teachers of:
• Primary/Early Years, Middle Years, VCE Drama, VCE Theatre Studies
Helen Stephens is the Artistic Associate of the Dead Puppet Society where she works as a performer, director, and facilitator of
visual theatre and puppetry workshops. In this capacity she directed The Secret Garden by Kathryn Marquet for Queensland
Theatre’s Young Artist Program, performed in Laser Beak Man (Dead Puppet Society, La Boite & Brisbane Festival), worked as
the Puppet Coach for The Wider Earth (Dead Puppet Society & Queensland Theatre) and toured Last Tree in the City (Dead
Puppet Society & Artslink QLD) throughout Queensland Schools. Helen has travelled extensively across Australia and the Torres
Strait crafting theatre experiences for young people and communities through her work directing, devising and facilitating
puppetry performances.
1D: That was Zen and this is Tao - Teaching First Nations and Asian Drama Content and
Perspectives in Middle Years Programs
Presented by Dr Mark Eckersley
That was Zen and This is Tao - Teaching First Nations and Asian Drama content and perspectives in
Middle Years Programs is a workshop that explores simple activities in Drama, puppetry, movement
and performance. These activities can be used to address the cross-curriculum priorities of the
Australian National Curriculum as well as embracing different non-Western cultural forms and styles.
Suitable for teachers of:
• Middle Years
Dr. Mark Eckersley is an experienced educator, researcher & practitioner who is passionate about Education. Literacy,
Indigenous perspectives, Drama, Media and developing engaging and innovative teaching & learning programs. His
Doctorate of Education explored the way non-Indigenous drama teachers engage with Indigenous perspectives in their
teaching. He has taught in Asia for many years. His research interests are Indigenous methodologies, Asian dramaturgy, cultural
theory, visual methodology, privileging Indigenous & Feminist pedagogy.JumpStart 2021: Workshop Outlines and Presenter Bios
11.50pm - Workshop Session 2:
2A: Drama Activities to Promote a Healthy and Positive Mindset
Presented by Mary Walker
This workshop will give a window into wellness and positive mental health drama activities. We will look
at current research and thought in this area. Mary will demonstrate and discuss her process of
development. The workshop will offer classroom application for both primary and secondary teachers
and a companion resource.
Suitable for teachers of:
• Primary/Early Years, Middle Years
Mary Walker is a performing arts practitioner, teacher and researcher. She has extensive performing arts and education
experience. Mary recently received a grant to develop and run online drama workshops for primary school aged children with
a healthy and positive mind focus. Mary is developing secondary student workshops with the same focus to be run in 2021.
2B: The Great Reset - an Approach to Activism Theatre
Presented by Rachel Forgasz & Lauren Zeigler
What if all that happened in 2020 was not seen just as a year of doom and gloom, but an opportunity
to create change? A chance to look at what we have, what currently exists and decide what we
want to keep and what we can let go of. A reset. Lauren and Rachel have been excitedly
collaborating and conceptualising ideas around this work for sometime. Then during Term 4 last year
Lauren designed and trialled the unit with her students. This unit is about creating an opportunity for
students to develop an understanding of aspects of their world they really value and feel passionate
about (it could be anything from climate change, gender equality, bullying to mental health), to use
Drama to empower not only themselves but their audiences to generate awareness and ultimately
create change. Following a concept- based inquiry model the presentation will offer you a
framework in which to structure a powerful self-devised unit. The presentation will demonstrate this
framework with a range of possible lesson plans, resources, and examples from their trial unit.
Suitable for teachers of:
• Primary/Early Years, Middle Years
Rachel Forgasz is a senior lecturer in the Faculty of Education at Monash University where she teaches and writes about the
influence of emotion, agency, and embodiment on transformational teaching and learning. Drawing on her existing expertise
in teacher education, she has developed Climate 7, a framework for supporting adults & young people to transform their
behaviours, attitudes, and beliefs to make the transition to climate consciousness.
Lauren Zeigler is a Drama and English teacher. She is passionate about curriculum, pedagogy, how Drama is perceived as a
subject in schools and its infinite ability to create change. Lauren is the Performing Arts Co-coordinator at Cornish College and
is lucky enough to spend her days with students from ELC 3 to Year 12 and everywhere in between! She has been on the
Drama Victoria Committee of Management, presented at numerous conferences and been a VCAA assessor.JumpStart 2021: Workshop Outlines and Presenter Bios
11.50am - Workshop Session 2 continued…
2C: SAME-SAME 2.0 - the Online Inclusive Theatre Zoom Experience
Presented by Jeffrey Tan
SAME-SAME 2.0 is a practical inclusive theatre workshop over Zoom. Inspired by the Creative
Development of SAME-SAME, an online inclusive collaboration between No Strings Attached Theatre
of Disability, Adelaide, Australia and Diverse Abilities Dance Collective of Maya Dance Theatre,
Singapore, Singapore International Foundation, Arts For Good Project.
Participants will need to turn on their cameras and be willing to take part in the sixty minutes creative
structure of sharing, exploring, creating, presenting and collaborating. This inclusive workshop is
designed for different abled bodied participants and should you need support staff assistance,
participants are encouraged to have someone next to them. Participants will be led through a
creative collaborative process of getting to know each other and explore what does inclusive theatre
mean and also experience the emotional well-being of collaborating online safely. Participants need
to be in their own conducive private spaces with a steady WIFI connection and headphones to fully
immerse in the experience of being present online. No theatre experience required but an open mind
to try out ideas and share their thoughts. If you can speak, write or dance, let’s get creative and find
out if we are SAME-SAME?
Suitable for teachers of:
• Primary/Early Years, Middle Years, VCE Drama, VCE Theatre Studies
Jeffrey Tan is a Theatre Director, Drama Educator and Creative Producer. He first created SAME-SAME, an online, inclusive
collaboration between No Strings Attached Theatre of Disability and Diverse Abilities Dance Collective, a Singapore
International Foundation, Arts for Good Project in Nov 2020. SAME-SAME 2.0 is an experiential workshop over Zoom,
exploring inclusivity and the emotional well-being through a culture of care.
2D: Suzuki and Grotowski: Creative Strategies and Techniques for the Rehearsal Space
Presented by Rodrigo Calderon, Tessa-Marie Luminati & Lorna McLeod
This is a practical workshop in character transformation (Grotowski animal) and offers a psycho-
physical approach to voice and script interpretation (Suzuki). Concluding with discussion around co-
devising, improvisation, and style. Participating in the workshop will enable teachers and students to
explore Dramatic Elements such as space, mood, rhythm Expressive Skills of voice, gesture, movement
and Performance Skills of focus, timing, energy. The workshop makes ideas of spatial awareness,
gesture, impulse and transformation concrete for actors, allowing them to be confident in their
approach and developing wellbeing in their practice.
Suitable for teachers of:
• VCE Drama, VCE Theatre Studies
Rodrigo Calderon is from El Salvador, an actor, director and teacher in a range of theatres, festivals, film productions and
educational projects in Argentina, Australia, El Salvador, Indonesia, India and Malaysia. Early in his career, Rodrigo
experimented with theatre focused on the actor’s physicality and its ritualistic nature. Through these experiences he has
immersed himself into performing, directing and investigating different physical art forms which deal with the body as a
gathering ceremony.
Tessa-Marie Luminati is an emerging Actor/ Theatre-maker having completed a Bachelor of Acting for Stage and Screen at
Federation University in 2018. Currently she is exploring Suzuki and theatre-making techniques in the Melbourne based
ensemble The Thursday Group while also training with Suzuki groups in El Salvador and Argentina. As an actor she explores the
psycho-physical, thinking body.
Lorna McLeod is a 20 years + experienced Drama and Theatre Studies teacher currently working in a Melbourne secondary
school. A member of The Thursday Group, she is interested in the creative process making work using Suzuki and Poor Theatre.
She recognises they are powerful methods for teachers and students to explore performance development using
acting skills and rehearsal strategies to present collaborative work. Lorna was the 2020 recipient of a Teaching
Excellence Award from Drama Victoria.JumpStart 2021: Workshop Outlines and Presenter Bios
1.25pm - Workshop Session 3:
3A: Time for a Change: Creating and Refreshing Your Drama Offerings
Presented by Ryan Bowler
Are you a new Drama educator who has entered a school where you've been handed the 'keys' to
the Drama program? Have you been 'gifted' with the need for a change in the Drama offerings at
your school? Perhaps you are entering a new role as a Head of Department and don't know where to
begin. Or maybe it's just time a refresh to reignite the Drama classroom. This session will explore the
foundations of developing Drama courses that prepare students for VCE Drama and/or Theatre
Studies. It will look at how to embed key VCE skills and terminology into courses from Year 7 to
promote academic rigour in the subject and provide students with a clear pathway to VCE studies.
Suitable for teachers of:
• Middle Years
Ryan Bowler is currently Head of Drama at Trinity Grammar School, Kew. Previously he worked at Melbourne Girls Grammar
School for four years where he joined a brand-new Drama team before taking on the role of Head of Drama (Acting) in 2019.
3B: Seeing with New Eyes the Narrator’s Role: Valuing the Power of the Storyteller
Presented by Helen Sandercoe
‘The practice of storytelling begins in the day –to-day minutiae of one’s own life. Because we are
meaning-making machines, we translate our experiences into potent narratives. We tell stories to
make sense of our experiences.’ Anne Bogart In these challenging times, the stories we tell, seem to
take on even greater importance. How they are told is as important as what is told. This workshop is
an exploration and dissection of the role of the narrator, including how the narrator shapes the story
and storytelling. The narrator becomes the mediator between the audience and other performers or
actors or participants. The audience can feel a special relationship with the narrator who has the
authority in the storytelling as they know the story that the other participants in the story may not
have. The role of the narrator is also shaped by genre and style. This workshop will examine the
narrator’s role from telling personal stories, stories where the whole group participates in the telling
and to conclude with references to Shakespeare, Brecht and the Ancient Greek chorus. This is an
invitation to put the Narrator to the test and revisit this central convention in storytelling.
Suitable for teachers of:
• Middle Years, VCE Drama, VCE Theatre Studies
Helen Sandercoe has been a Drama teacher much of her life. She has taught in a diverse range of schools, here in Melbourne
and in England. She now teaches Primary and Secondary Pre-Service teachers the art and craft of Drama teaching. For Helen,
there is nothing more exciting than when a whole class is involved in the creative process.JumpStart 2021: Workshop Outlines and Presenter Bios
1.25pm - Workshop Session 3 continued…
3C: Drama- Turning Advocacy into Activism
Presented by Jane Carter and Andrew Stocker
This presentation will cover strategies used by experienced Drama teachers to advocate and
activate Drama as a subject in a school setting. Having led Drama departments in schools for many
years( bringing both a private and public school perspective) Jane and Andrew will explore a variety
of approaches to promoting Drama and will present some creative and accomplished action plans
that will activate and invigorate the profile of Drama in your school. Let's barnstorm the buildings,
campaign in the corridors and disrupt, disturb and demonstrate the daring dynamism of Drama.
Suitable for teachers of:
• Primary/Early Years, Middle Years, VCE Drama, VCE Theatre Studies
Jane Carter is the Head of Arts and Production at Mount Waverley Secondary College. She has over 15 years’ experience as a
Drama teacher and educator leading teams in Professional Learning, Student Management, eLearning and OHS. Jane has
worked for VCAA in the roles of Study Design Panel Member and Assessor of Drama exams.
Andrew Stocker trained at Bretton Hall College in the UK and toured in TIE for ten years as a performer and director with the
CAT, NYC, Remould Theatre, Hull, MOMI, London, British Pavilion Expo ’92, Sevilla, and the English Shakespeare Company
amongst others. He has taught Drama and directed youth theatre in state and independent schools for 20 years, chairing the
National Independent Schools’ Drama Association for four years, been a committee member with Drama West and Drama
Victoria.
2.45pm - Workshop Session 4:
Workshop Sessions 4 & 5 are a chance for us to get together and talk about our hopes and dreams for 2021.
What is the new normal in our classroom and within our school? What are your plans for 2021 – will your students
perform for an audience?
4A: A Conversation with Drama Victoria – Part 1
Presented by Drama Victoria
In Part 1, you will have a chance to talk about your whole school perspective: advocacy for Drama in
and out of the classroom, especially in the aftermath of Covid-19. What is particular to you in your
school setting? Will you have a production in 2021 and what will this look like? How are your numbers
for electives and VCE? Share your experience, hopes and fears with other Drama teachers - a
chance for you to celebrate, vent and ask for advice.
3.40pm - Workshop Session 5:
A Conversation with Drama Victoria – Part 2
In Part 2: You will have a chance to talk curriculum. What are you doing in your classroom? What would you
like to do in your classroom? Please select your group of your choice: Primary, Middle Years, VCE Drama or VCE
Theatre Studies on registration. Share your ideas and for ask advice.
5A: A Conversation with Drama Victoria – Primary Years
5B: A Conversation with Drama Victoria – Middle Years
5C: A Conversation with Drama Victoria – VCE Drama
5D: A Conversation with Drama Victoria – VCE Theatre StudiesYou can also read
