Author: admin

I often get asked why the performing arts are even necessary. I usually answer with two words. Human experience. The arts play a vital role in nurturing our innate creativity, and in the case of Drama, our empathy, confidence and resilience. Often described as “soft skills”, I would argue that these are, in fact, core skills that need to be developed from a young age to ensure our health as individuals and members of society.

With this in mind, I have put together a word cloud of all these core “soft” skills. Have a great day.

The Tempest Project represented a collaboration between me and the Stratford on Avon Shakespeare Association and the Stratford Victoria Sister Cities for the Stratfords of the World Reunion in September 2018.

The final cast comprised 5 young actors aged 11-17, from Australia and Canada. Rehearsals began in March, using Google Hangouts to bring the actors together online from different locations. Between them, the actors played a total of 14 roles.

My adaptation took Shakespeare’s story and explored the occupation of the island in the play and the enslavement of Ariel and Caliban, drawing parallels with the occupation of Australia by the British.

Performed to over 150 delegates from the United Kingdom, Connecticut in the US, Ontario and Prince Edward Island in Canada, Australia and New Zealand, the play received great praise from an appreciative audience. A great deal of interest was expressed in seeing a similar performance in 2020 in Stratford Ontario.

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