Melbourne Theatre Company’s Post

Challenging Perceptions: Inclusivity in the Performing Arts When you encounter someone who is visually impaired, what’s your initial reaction? Do you approach them with empathy or optimism? Do you see their potential, or do you fall into the trap of viewing them through the lens of limitation? Have you ever considered collaborating with visually impaired actors or theatre professionals in your artistic projects? Or do you, like many, operate within the framework of the medical model of disability, focusing on limitations rather than embracing the social model that highlights accessibility and inclusivity? Perhaps inclusivity and accessibility haven't been central to your practice yet. Now is the time to reflect on these questions and explore how disabled talents, especially artists living with sight loss, can enrich the performing arts and beyond. For a deeper dive into this important conversation, I invite you to listen to the recent episode of BBC Radio 4’s In Touch (October 8). I had the honour of being featured alongside Amy Leach, Deputy Artistic Director of Leeds Playhouse, and the incredible talents from Extant, a visually impaired-led theatre company. We discussed the TPT’s Get Set Progress Internship at Leeds Playhouse, and Unseen, a powerful new production that showcases the creativity and resilience of disabled artists. You can listen to the BBC’s In Touch Theatre Special Episode at: https://lnkd.in/em2Zzr6c Let’s continue to expand the narrative around job opportunity, accessibility and inclusivity for the visually impaired  in the arts and beyond.

How has your background in the performing arts impacted your professional skills and career path? Tell us in the comments.

🗣️ "I don't think there are many careers officers who would know what to say to a child who said 'I want to be a set designer.'...what do you do, what GCSEs do you do?" CEO of the British Screen Forum, Pete Johnson, outlines some of the reasons why careers in creative professions such as TV and Film are difficult for working-class people to get into ⬇️ https://buff.ly/4iMRxwF

As my journey as a junior Theatre Design lecturer comes to an end at the University of the Witwatersrand, I wanted to share a few valuable skills I have learnt during the year. Teaching 1st and 2nd-year students has not only allowed me to shape young minds but also reminded me of the essential skills and values that we, as theatre designers, should strive to embody. Here are 5 valuable things I've learnt along the way: - Collaboration is key! Theatre design is a team effort, and our students learn to work together, share ideas, and support each other's creative journeys. - Creativity thrives under constraints. Limited budgets and resources can spark innovative solutions and out-of-the-box thinking. - Effective communication is crucial. Students can learn to articulate their design decisions, justify their choices, and present their work confidently when guided with reflective prompts regarding what they have learnt from in-class tasks. - Problem-solving is a superpower. Theatre design involves adapting to unexpected challenges and finding creative solutions under pressure. - Empathy and inclusivity matter. Our students learn to consider diverse perspectives, cultures, and accessibility in their designs, creating a more inclusive and compassionate theatre community. These lessons extend far beyond the theatre stage and lecture hall, shaping our students into creative, collaborative, and critically thinking individuals ready to make their mark in the world! #TheatreDesign #LecturerLife #WitsUniversity #TheatreEducation #Collaboration #Creativity #Communication #ProblemSolving #Empathy #Inclusivity

🎭 Theatre Students: Start Building Your Portfolio Early! 🎭 Coming from an educational administrator and a Theatre professional. As someone who has studied theatre for 4 years, my journey has been fueled by passion. I started acting in church dramas, volunteered to perform in different places, and participated in numerous productions both inside and outside the theatre. These experiences shaped my love for storytelling and performing arts. Now, I’m taking the bold step to pursue my dreams further with a master’s in film, directing, and more . But here’s the catch—every application I’ve encountered asks for a portfolio. A portfolio that no one told us, as theatre students, we’d need or how crucial it would be for our careers. At this moment, I find myself stuck—struggling to prove my journey and passion with a structured portfolio. And I know I’m not alone in this. To every theatre student out there: Start early. Document everything. Every role, every performance, every project matters. Your portfolio isn’t just about showcasing your work; it’s a testament to your growth, dedication, and potential. Let’s change the narrative. Let’s prepare future theatre professionals to step into the industry with confidence and all the tools they need to succeed. If you’re in the arts, how did you build your portfolio? Or, what advice would you share with students just starting? Let’s share and grow together. #Theatre #PortfolioBuilding #ArtsEducation #CreativeJourney #Storytelling

It Takes an Army to Create Art: I’m part of the Theatre Gargantua TD Emerging Theatre Artist Roundtable this year. My intention to join was simple: make new artist friends. Around 10 emerging artists were selected to be part of sessions where we get mentorship, share resources and have profound discussions on how to create art sustainably and collaboratively. So much about storytelling through art—notably film and theatre—usually requires an army to make. Finding this army is I think the hardest part of professional art making. I’ve had experiences where I find the right people but the external circumstances do not allow for a collaboration. Or I find people and discover a little too late that while we were speaking the same language, we were speaking in entirely different dialects. I had a mentor joke that finding creative partnerships is harder than finding a romantic partner. In other fields the collaborative project is a bit more objective and standardized. Metrics and scopes are set. The process is concrete. When it comes to creating art together, especially art that changes the world, it’s a little less so. The process of creation needs to foster trust and vulnerability to co-create bravely. #emergingartist #creativeprocess #storytelling #theatre

NEW YEAR, NEW STUDENTS?! We asked some of our HNC Performing Arts students what their New Year Resolutions are for 2025, here's what they said... Let us know your New Years Resolution?👇👇👇 #NewYear #Resolutions #NWRC

We’ve worked on countless new builds ranging from cultural landmarks to beloved local theatres. While we’ve lived the process again and again, it’s often our client’s first time navigating a project – which can be daunting, especially for those who may only undertake one or two in their career. In our article, Navigating Venue Construction: a Theatre Consultant’s Guide, we run through the process for those about to plunge into their first big build: + Defining the project's purpose and success criteria in Pre-Design + Crafting a precise Brief + Monitoring the Design Phase + The nitty gritty of Construction Read the article https://lnkd.in/gxnrG8jm

There are many things to consider when pursuing a career in the performing arts. Need help? Type 'READY' in the comments, and I’ll send you a link to get one of my FREE Guides. Want more information on how to take advantage of everything I offer? Visit LBCTalent.com. Let’s make your artistic dreams a reality! \#PerformingArts \#CareerGuidance \#ProfessionalDevelopment

Excellent theatre professionals are expressive, wired for deep connection, and detail-driven. They think in terms of the big “why” and what tactics they can use to achieve their “why.” They have deep wells of energy they can draw from if they catch your vision. No other major/job requires students/employees to memorizes hours worth of material, intimately know the themes and desires of the characters, and put together a presentation that leads an audience of strangers to understand and empathize with a story they may have never heard until that moment. If you have a story that needs telling, hire a theatre major.