PRODUCTION ROLES
Discover more about the work of Melbourne Theatre Company staff and artists in various production roles.
Acting
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Laurinda in 360°
Join the cast onstage to perform a scene from Laurinda, and venture backstage to see the stage manager at work, in this 360° video experience.
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Creating Character in Bernhardt/Hamlet
The cast of Bernhardt/Hamlet reflect on the process of bringing their characters to life onstage.
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Realising the role with the cast of I Wanna Be Yours
Oz Malik and Eleanor Barkla discuss how they prepared for their roles as Haseeb and Ella in I Wanna Be Yours.
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Playing the part
Hear from the cast of As You Like It as they discuss the process of bringing Shakespeare's characters to life on stage.
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Creating Character
Hear from the cast of Sunday as they reflect on the process of bringing their characters to life onstage.
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Behind-the-scenes of My Sister Jill
Find out what the writer, director and cast of this new Australian work love about rehearsals, and what makes the collaborative environment so special.
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Meet the Witches
In this video, Shareena Clanton, Kamil Ellis and Jane Montgomery Griffiths tell us about their experiences embodying the three ‘weird sisters’.
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Geraldine Hakewill on playing Lady Macbeth
Geraldine Hakewill tells us about Lady Macbeth's personal ambition and the clues that Shakespeare provides for her character.
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Script Notes with Vidya Makan and Dean Bryant
Vidya Makan and Dean Bryant discuss their script notes for the musical comedy Bloom - book and lyrics by Tom Gleisner and music by Katie Weston.
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Script Notes with Oz Malik and Eleanor Barkla
Oz Malik and Eleanor Barkla discuss their script notes for I Wanna Be Yours by Zia Ahmed.
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Script Notes with Kate Mulvany
Kate Mulvany discusses her script notes for the opening scene of Bernhardt/Hamlet by Theresa Rebeck.
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Jai Courtney playing Macbeth
Jai Courtney tells us about turning into one of drama’s biggest tyrants, Macbeth.
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Shakespearean Comedy
Director Simon Phillips and members of the As You Like It cast discuss the specifics of what makes this play funny.
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Meet the characters of Torch the Place
Hear from the cast of Torch the Place about their characters and how they embody them onstage.
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Script notes with Guy Simon and Ngali Shaw
Guy Simon and Ngali Shaw discuss their script notes for the opening scene of Jacky by Declan Furber Gillick.
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All the world's a stage
Tim Walter performs one of Shakespeare's most iconic speeches in As You Like It. Discover how he brings the words to life with his notes on the Seven Ages of Man monologue.
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Safe & ethical working practices
Learn more about how the Intimacy Coordinator, Movement and Fight Director and Voice and Text Coaches work with actors.
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Tsungirai Wachenuka in conversation
We chat to actor Tsungirai Wachenuka during rehearsals for SLAP. BANG. KISS.
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Conor Leach in conversation
Actor Conor Leach provides insight into his character and discusses how he's exploring contrast in rehearsals for SLAP. BANG. KISS.
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Sarah Fitzgerald in conversation
We chat to actor Sarah Fitzgerald during rehearsals for SLAP. BANG. KISS.
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The world of I Wanna Be Yours
Director Tasnim Hossain and actors Eleanor Barkla and Oz Malik introduce the world of I Wanna Be Yours by London writer Zia Ahmed.
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Oz Malik on playing Haseeb
Actor Oz Malik discusses his character, Haseeb, in I Wanna Be Yours by Zia Ahmed.
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Eleanor Barkla on playing Ella
Actor Eleanor Barkla discusses her character, Ella, in I Wanna Be Yours by Zia Ahmed.
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Meet the players
Learn more about the characters that inhabit Shakespeare's As You Like It from the people who know them best – the cast.
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Theatre Production Processes: Acting
Learn more about what actors do in each stage of the theatre production process.
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Rehearsal time-lapse
Watch a time-lapse of The Violent Outburst That Drew Me to You in the rehearsal room.
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Sarah Bernhardt's troupe
The Bernhardt/Hamlet cast share their insights into finding their characters and embodying them onstage.
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Sunday behind the scenes
Follow us into the Sunday rehearsal room and meet the cast, director and costume designer of the 2023 production.
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The Heartbreak Choir in rehearsals
Join The Heartbreak Choir cast and creative team in the rehearsal room and get a sneak peek of this joyous and uplifting celebration of music, friendship and community.
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The cast of The Heartbreak Choir
The cast of The Heartbreak Choir by Aidan Fennessy discuss the play and their characters.
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My Sister Jill in rehearsals
Take a sneak peek into the My Sister Jill rehearsal room.
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I Wanna Be Yours on tour
Watch the video to learn about the process of taking I Wanna Be Yours on the road.
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Meet the My Sister Jill team
Hear writer Patricia Cornelius and director Susie Dee discuss their enduring artistic partnership, and learn what drew the cast members to this play.
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My Sister Jill trailer
Watch the video trailer for My Sister Jill ahead of seeing the production live on stage.
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Meet the characters of Laurinda
Seven actors transform into 17 characters to bring Laurinda to life onstage. Discover who's playing who from the people that know them best – our talented cast.
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Role Call
Meet the cast of Laurinda and learn more about the characters and themes in the play.
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The actors prepare
We sat down with the cast of The Violent Outburst That Drew Me to You during rehearsals to hear more about their work.
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Directing
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Directing Bernhardt/Hamlet
Director Anne-Louise Sarks discusses her approach to bringing Bernhardt/Hamlet to life onstage.
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Directing I Wanna Be Yours
Melbourne Theatre Company Resident Director Tasnim Hossain discusses her approach to directing I Wanna Be Yours by Zia Ahmed.
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Approaching SLAP. BANG. KISS.
Listen to Katy Maudlin, the director of SLAP. BANG. KISS., as she takes us through her process when approaching a new production.
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Theatre Production Processes: Directing
Learn more about what directors do in each stage of the theatre production process.
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Directing Laurinda
Petra Kalive talks about collaboration, comedy and character as she discusses her approach to directing Laurinda.
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Sunday behind the scenes
Follow us into the Sunday rehearsal room and meet the cast, director and costume designer of the 2023 production.
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Script Notes with Patricia Cornelius and Susie Dee
Playwright Patricia Cornelius and Director Susie Dee discuss their script notes for My Sister Jill.
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Meet the My Sister Jill team
Hear writer Patricia Cornelius and director Susie Dee discuss their enduring artistic partnership, and learn what drew the cast members to this play.
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The Heartbreak Choir in rehearsals
Join The Heartbreak Choir cast and creative team in the rehearsal room and get a sneak peek of this joyous and uplifting celebration of music, friendship and community.
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Directing SLAP. BANG. KISS.
Director Katy Maudlin discusses motifs, rhythm and space in SLAP. BANG. KISS. as rehearsals commence.
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Script Notes with Vidya Makan and Dean Bryant
Vidya Makan and Dean Bryant discuss their script notes for the musical comedy Bloom - book and lyrics by Tom Gleisner and music by Katie Weston.
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Script Notes with Zindzi Okenyo and Shari Sebbens
Zindzi Okenyo and Shari Sebbens discuss their directorial script notes for Is God Is by Aleshea Harris.
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Shakespearean Comedy
Director Simon Phillips and members of the As You Like It cast discuss the specifics of what makes this play funny.
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The world of I Wanna Be Yours
Director Tasnim Hossain and actors Eleanor Barkla and Oz Malik introduce the world of I Wanna Be Yours by London writer Zia Ahmed.
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Directing As You Like It
Director Simon Phillips discusses the specifics of Shakespearean comedy, mistaken identity and witty wordplay in As You Like It.
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Behind-the-scenes of My Sister Jill
Find out what the writer, director and cast of this new Australian work love about rehearsals, and what makes the collaborative environment so special.
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Set Design
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Designing I Wanna Be Yours
Set & Costume Designer Kat Chan condenses and abstracts London in her designs for I Wanna Be Yours.
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The set design process
Christina Smith explains the process of designing the set for Berlin by Joanna Murray-Smith.
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Storm Boy Set Design Presentation
Watch Anna Cordingley's design presentation for the 2019 production of Storm Boy and learn more about the set and costumes.
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Behind the cues
Three designers from The Heartbreak Choir discuss their creative choices, cue by cue.
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The liminal space
Learn more about the set design and AV components of Laurinda in this Q&A with Eugyeene Teh, Roshelle Fong and Justin Gardam.
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Designing SLAP. BANG. KISS.
Set & Costume Designer Kate Davis discusses symbolism, function and aesthetics in her designs for SLAP. BANG. KISS.
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Designing As You Like It
Set and Costume Designer Alicia Clements explores the process of creating the magical world of As You Like It onstage.
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Creating the Forest of Arden on stage
Production Manager Michele Preshaw and Scenic Art Supervisor Shane Dunn reflect on the process of bringing Shakespeare's Forest of Arden to life on the Sumner stage.
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Designing Connor's World
Set and costume designer Romanie Harper has created a layered world for The Violent Outburst That Drew Me to You.
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From page to stage
Set & Costume Designer Anna Cordingley, and Scenic Art Supervisor Shane Dunn, discuss bringing the fictional town of Corrigan to life onstage.
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Design world of Bernhardt/Hamlet
Learn more about the artistic vision, production roles and theatre technologies in Bernhardt/Hamlet.
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Costume Design
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Chrismukkah Costumes
Costume Designer Dann Barber discusses his inspiration for the pieces in A Very Jewish Christmas Carol and his process for delving into the world of characters.
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Creating Costumes
Discover how our Costume department brought Alicia Clements's intricate costume designs for As You Like It to life.
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Sunday Costume Design
Learn more about the colours and textures in Harriet Oxley's costume designs for Sunday.
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Storm Boy Costume Design Presentation
Watch Anna Cordingley's design presentation for the 2019 production of Storm Boy and learn more about the costumes.
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Creating costumes for Laurinda
Costume Designer Karine Larché discusses how she distorted a mélange of 1990s fashion in Laurinda.
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Costume maintenance
How we look after costumes that are worn eight times a week, for multiple weeks, often during highly physical performances.
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Sunday behind the scenes
Follow us into the Sunday rehearsal room and meet the cast, director and costume designer of the 2023 production.
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Costuming Così
Jonathon Oxlade discusses his costume designs for Così and how art can bring us together.
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Designing As You Like It
Set and Costume Designer Alicia Clements explores the process of creating the magical world of As You Like It onstage.
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How to make an Elizabethan ruff
Costume maker John Van Gastel explains step-by-step how to make an Elizabethan ruff like you may have seen onstage.
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Dressing Macbeth
Esther Marie Hayes sheds some light on the inspirations behind her costume designs for Macbeth.
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Costuming Cyrano
Designer Jo Briscoe discusses how costumes communicate character, and practical considerations in costume design.
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Design world of Bernhardt/Hamlet
Learn more about the artistic vision, production roles and theatre technologies in Bernhardt/Hamlet.
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Designing I Wanna Be Yours
Set & Costume Designer Kat Chan condenses and abstracts London in her designs for I Wanna Be Yours.
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Designing SLAP. BANG. KISS.
Set & Costume Designer Kate Davis discusses symbolism, function and aesthetics in her designs for SLAP. BANG. KISS.
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Designing Connor's World
Set and costume designer Romanie Harper has created a layered world for The Violent Outburst That Drew Me to You.
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How to make a wig
Hold onto your wig – Jurga Celikiene takes us through the process of wig making.
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Art Finishing
See how costumes are 'broken down’ by the Art Finishing team to make them just right for the world onstage.
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From page to stage
Set & Costume Designer Anna Cordingley, and Scenic Art Supervisor Shane Dunn, discuss bringing the fictional town of Corrigan to life onstage.
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Dressing Torch the Place
Costume designer Kat Chan discusses heightened naturalism, Princess Diana’s maternity dresses, wigs and more.
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Lighting Design
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Lighting I Wanna Be Yours
Lighting Designer Rachel Lee discusses transitions, fixtures and mood in her lighting for I Wanna Be Yours.
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Lighting SLAP. BANG. KISS.
Lighting Designer Amelia Lever-Davidson discusses how she uses a range of fixtures to create many different worlds for SLAP. BANG. KISS.
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Lighting As You Like It
Lighting Designer Nick Schlieper discusses shadow, colour and light in his work on As You Like It.
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Lighting Torch the Place
Amelia Lever-Davidson sheds light on the task of illuminating Torch the Place.
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Lighting Berlin
Lighting Designer Niklas Pajanti discusses his approach to lighting Berlin.
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From Darkness to Light
Lighting designer Niklas Pajanti discusses lighting effects as an expression of the characters in Così.
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Light and Rhythm
Lighting Designer Amelia Lever-Davidson discusses her work on The Violent Outburst That Drew Me to You.
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Behind the cues
Three designers from The Heartbreak Choir discuss their creative choices, cue by cue.
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Sound Design and Music
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Behind the cues
Three designers from The Heartbreak Choir discuss their creative choices, cue by cue.
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Communicating emotion through sound
Composer and Sound Designer Mufeez Al Haq discusses his work on I Wanna Be Yours.
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A musical world of shadows
Composer and Sound Designer Kelly Ryall discusses the sonic world he has created for Berlin.
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The Sound of Anger
Composer and Sound Designer Ian Moorhead combines dubstep, Rambo and 8-bit video games in a sonic world for The Violent Outburst That Drew Me to You.
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Laurinda Sound Design
Composer and Sound Designer Marco Cher-Gibard discusses the music and sounds of Laurinda.
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A celebration of song: The Heartbreak Choir’s community choirs
Meet some of the community choirs who joined the cast onstage for the heartfelt finale of The Heartbreak Choir.
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Props
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Ready to roll
Learn how our talented team prepared an original FX Holden from 1953 for the stage.
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Props presentation
Watch Anna Cordingley's design presentation for the 2019 production of Storm Boy and learn more about the props.
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Designed to be broken
Our Props team created a family heirloom that smashes onstage in the 2017 production of Three Little Words.
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What happens to props after a show?
Props Buyer Jess Maguire discusses what happens to our props after a show has finished its run onstage.
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Onstage armoury
Senior Production Technician Allan Hirons discusses prop guns, SFX and safety onstage.
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Building a life-size van
How did designer Alicia Clements — with a dedicated Workshop team — build the centrepiece props for our 2019 production of The Lady in the Van?
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Playwriting
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Dan Giovannoni on SLAP. BANG. KISS.
Playwright Dan Giovannoni discusses the origins and evolution of his gripping new work.
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Louis Nowra on Così
Playwright Louis Nowra tells Fiona Gruber about the events and people who changed his life, and how they came to form the inspiration behind his iconic play Così.
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How do you write a play?
Benjamin Law discusses how to write a play – including the mechanics of writing character and dialogue, finding inspiration, and the challenges of writing for the stage versus writing for the screen or the page.
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The idea for the play
A family holiday inspired playwright Joanna Murray-Smith to rediscover her Jewish heritage and write her latest play, Berlin.
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Adapting a novel
In co-adapting Laurinda, writer Diana Nguyen has layered multiple stories in Alice Pung's novel to expand it for a new generation. She talks to us about how this evolved during the writing process and the joy of sharing a Vietnamese story on stage.
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A nose by any other name
Actor and playwright Virginia Gay discusses writing a Cyrano not just for the 21st century but for Melbourne in the aftermath of 2020.
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Meet the My Sister Jill team
Hear writer Patricia Cornelius and director Susie Dee discuss their enduring artistic partnership, and learn what drew the cast members to this play.
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Writing Torch the Place
Playwright Benjamin Law discusses his play Torch the Place, collaborating with actors and creatives, and writing action into a script.
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Script Notes with Patricia Cornelius and Susie Dee
Playwright Patricia Cornelius and Director Susie Dee discuss their script notes for My Sister Jill.
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Puppetry
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Bringing the puppets to life
Ellen Bailey, Emily Burton and Drew Wilson are the puppeteers who give life to Storm Boy's penguins, snakes, fish and, of course, pelicans.
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Building the Puppets
Watch how the team at Dead Puppet Society designed and built the puppets in Storm Boy.
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Behind the Puppets
We speak to the puppetry team who are giving life to a menagerie of creatures in Storm Boy.
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An inflatable squid puppet
Discover how one surprise character in the 2017 production of Vivid White stole the show – a giant inflatable squid puppet called Güüs.
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Stage Management
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Stage Manager
Explore the busy backstage schedule of a Stage Manager before, during and after a Friday night performance at Southbank Theatre.
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I Wanna Be Yours on tour
Watch the video to learn about the process of taking I Wanna Be Yours on the road.
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Laurinda in 360°
Join the cast onstage to perform a scene from Laurinda, and venture backstage to see the stage manager at work, in this 360° video experience.
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