Melbourne Theatre Company acknowledges the Boon Wurrung and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung peoples of the Kulin Nation, the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we work, create and gather. We pay our respects to all First Nations people, their Elders past and present, and their enduring connections to Country, knowledge and stories. As a Company we remain committed to the invitation of the Uluru Statement from the Heart and its call for voice, truth and treaty.

Teacher Professional Learning Day

Including two workshops with professional artists exploring how they made the show you'll see on stage

Saturday 31 May, 11.30am — 5.30pm

Southbank Theatre, The Lawler

$198 (incl. GST)

Join us for an enriching day of professional learning while exploring The Black Woman of Gippsland by Andrea James. Learn from professional artists about their theatre production processes through the lens of staging this First Nations story.

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About the Event

Join Director Amy Sole (The Robot Dog) and Composer & Sound Designer James Henry (37) at a teacher professional learning event exploring The Black Woman of Gippsland by Andrea James (Sunshine Super Girl). Learn from professional artists about their theatre production processes through the lens of staging this First Nations story.

The event includes:

A-reserve ticket to The Black Woman of Gippsland matinee performance
90min pre-show directing workshop with Amy Sole
Post-show Q&A with cast and Writer & Director Andrea James
90min post-show sound design workshop with James Henry
Exclusive access to First Nations Theatre digital resource in Education Hub

Drama Victoria will host a follow-up reflection session for participants to share ideas about applying their learning in the classroom.

This event addresses the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers 1.4, 2.4 and 6.2, and the cross-curriculum priority Learning about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures.

Exclusive to Drama Victoria members. Not yet a member? Join here.

Enquiries: education@mtc.com.au

Presented with

Wheelchair Accessible

Artwork for Amy Sole

Amy Sole

Artwork for James Henry

James Henry

Artwork for Andrea James

Andrea James

Artwork for Amy Sole

Amy Sole

Amy Sole is the Associate Director on The Black Woman of Gippsland.

Amy Sole is a proud Wiradjuri/Worimi person. Amy is an award-winning playwright, director, actor, dramaturg and advocate. They are Creative Associate at ILBIJERRI Theatre Company and a graduate of MFA (Directing) at NIDA and hold a Master of Theatre (Playwriting) from VCA. Recent directorial works for theatre include Emu in the Sun, part of Blak in the Room with Melbourne Theatre Company, Scar Trees, Whitefella Yella Tree (ILBIJERRI Theatre Company); Forgetting Tim Minchin (25a, Downstairs Belvoir); Benched (Darlinghurst Theatre Company) and Burning (NIDA), which they also co-wrote. Amy regularly directs and dramaturgs developments of new works, some include Phoebe Grainer’s Sugarcane for the Queensland Premier’s Drama Award and Dylan Ven Den Berg’s waybackwhen at Darlinghurst Theatre Company and Big Name No Blankets at ILBIJERRI Theatre Company. They have worked as assistant director on God's Country (NIDA, 2022), Metamorphoses (NIDA, 2021), and RENT (Sydney Opera House, 2021). They are a part of Melbourne Theatre Company's Artistic Associate Advisory Council, and a sitting Co-Chair of the Equity Diversity Committee.

Artwork for James Henry

James Henry

James Henry is the Composer & Sound Designer on The Black Woman of Gippsland.

James has worked as a composer and sound designer on various productions, including Blak in the Room (with ILBIJERRI Theatre Company), 37, Admissions, Jacky (Melbourne Theatre Company); An Octoroon (Queensland Theatre). He received a Green Room Award in 2023 for Sound Design of Heart is a Wasteland (ILBIJERRI Theatre Company), in collaboration with Gary Watling and Lidia Fairhall. His versatile skill set extends to composing for renowned ensembles, such as the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, and others. As a cultural advocate, he plays a vital role in revitalising indigenous languages through music. His recent fellowship deepened his understanding of traditional Aboriginal music, enabling seamless integration into contemporary contexts. James earned recognition, receiving a nomination for Best Documentary Score at the 2022 AACTA Awards. James Henry's contributions extend beyond the stage, making him a significant figure in the cultural tapestry, bridging traditions and contemporary expressions.

Artwork for Andrea James

Andrea James

Andrea James is the Writer & Director of The Black Woman of Gippsland.

Andrea is a Yorta Yorta/Gunaikurnai theatremaker and graduate of VCA. Her plays include Big Name No Blankets (co-written with Sammy and Anyupa Butcher), Yanagai! Yanagai! (premiered at Playbox in 2004 and toured to the UK), and with Cath Ryan, Dogged (Griffin Theatre Company). Her play Sunshine Super Girl premiered at Griffith in 2020, and 2021 Sydney Festival before an extensive national tour. Andrea is currently Associate Artistic Director at Griffin Theatre where she directed Ghosting the Party by Melissa Bubnic in 2022, Jailbaby by Suzie Miller in 2023 and swim by Ellen Van Neerven. Previous positions include Artistic Director of Melbourne Workers Theatre (2001-2008), Aboriginal Arts Development Officer at Blacktown Arts Centre (2010-2012) and Aboriginal Producer at Carriageworks (2012-2016). Andrea was recently awarded the Mona Brand Award for Women Stage and Screen Writers. She was recipient of British Council’s Accelerate Program for Aboriginal Art Leaders and was awarded Create NSW Aboriginal Arts Fellowship in 2018. In 2024, she received Creative Australia's National Theatre Award.

Get Directions

The Lawler

140 Southbank Boulevard

Southbank, Victoria 3006