DRAMA QLD TEACHERS' CONFERENCE

The DRAMA QLD State Conference for Drama teachers (Mar. 14 and 15) was opened officially by the Hon. Mr Rod Weldford, Minister for Education, Training and the Arts. In his opening address, he acknowledged 2009 as being ‘The Year of Creativity’ for Queenslanders, and encouraged Drama teachers and students to ‘take the lead’ in creativity in their respective schools. Mr Welford stressed the importance of creativity, emphasizing that young people need to be innovative problem-solvers in our ever-changing world. He said that we need “resilient, imaginative, resourceful students” and that it is subjects like Drama (with ‘creativity’ as its core business) that will take young people on this journey so that they can contribute positively to the world of their future.

Also a guest at the Conference and giving an inspiring address was renowned actor/playwright Bille Brown. Bille stressed the necessity of the physical in actor training, as the body is a tool of great importance for an actor. He said “You cannot be creative until you have mastered the use of our actors’ tools – the body being paramount”. Bille Brown also emphasised that the mind is as much a muscle as the mouth, and MUST be exercised by actors. “Thought, the mind, and the energy from the mind is everything”. We should train our minds in the old skill of memorizing, and that “creativity is about the acquisition of the old skills as well as spontanaiety”.



Bille Brown and an acting colleague later entertained the Conference audience with read extracts from his latest play, “The School of Arts”, due to premiere in Brisbane. It is BOUND to be a ‘hit’! Dont't miss it - 13 July – 1 August 2009.




DRAMA QLD State Conference was held at the wonderful new Southbank Institute of Technology, where students of Drama can complete an Advanced Diploma of Arts (Acting) or a Diploma of Live Production, Theatre & Events – Constructing and Manufacturing.