Culture, community and connection

In this unit, students gain a practical understanding of:

• how the concepts of identity and belonging are multifaceted and complex
• why First Nations Peoples place such significance on places, values, customs and languages
• why symbolism is critically important in relation to culture, community and connection and how theatre forms, such as Image Theatre, can powerfully illuminate universal themes
• how drama and theatre are a powerful way to explore how First Nations cultures are simultaneously ancient, contemporary, complex and constantly evolving
• how various types of stimulus, such as poetry, songs and tableaux, can be used as a catalyst to create performances that challenge and proactively address various forms of oppression.

Students will create short pieces of theatre, having undertaken a series of activities and workshops framed by Augusto Boal’s Image Theatre (i.e., tableaux) and Theatre of the Oppressed concepts. They’ll explore how Boal’s distinct theatre forms use techniques and devices, such as tableaux, symbols, improvisation and direct audience involvement, to empower students to create theatre that challenges and celebrates multiple perspectives and the concept of an ‘Australian identity’.