Audrey O'Connor & Gerard O'Dwyer on the set of their short film 'One Girl' - a short film shot as part of a 48 hour film event, Kino Kabaret. Photography by Alison Richardson.
An increase in people with disability learning film making skills continues, following the recent success of short film Be My Brother at Tropfest 2009. Alison Richardson, Creative Programs Coordinator, Accessible Arts Western Sydney, has been providing support to mentor and connect people with disability as they pursue opportunities to learn the art of filmmaking. Genevieve Clay’s latest short film, Francis and Annie, recently presented an opportunity for people with disability to work with the Director and learn new skills. Six participants enjoyed a half-day of being on set and experiencing first hand filmmaking.
Kino Kabaret, another film making event, attracted the participation of several people who identify as having a disability. Kino was held in partnership with MetroScreen in Paddington. Participants teamed-up to write, shoot and edit short films. Three film-making sessions and a party to celebrate and screen the films took place.
David Morgan, an artist from Bowral and AART.BOXX 08 participant said, “It has been awesome, it has far exceeded my expectations.”
Alison provided practical and creative support during Kino Kabaret. She said, “Kino had a fantastic vibe, the non competitive nature of the event created a supportive atmosphere, with participants getting involved in each other’s films and helping each other out.”
For more information on the Film Mentoring Program contact Alison Richardson, Creative Programs Coordinator, on tel: 02 9251 6499 (ext 112) or email: arichardson@aarts.net.au.
Matt comes to the position with a wealth of experience in the theatre and youth sector. He spent 20 years as a professional theatre practitioner in Sydney and was the General Manager of Darlinghurst Theatre Company which he co-founded in 1992. In 2004 he moved to Canberra where he managed the Messages Program, an arts program for teenagers who experienced depression and social isolation.
Matt will work one day a week for Accessible Arts and will be based at Powerhouse Youth Theatre in Fairfield. Matt is responsible for maintaining and further developing performing arts opportunities for school aged young people with a disability in major arts centres across Western Sydney, such as Blacktown Arts centre & Parramatta Riverside, and in particular coordinating the inter/Act integrated performance workshop program for people with and without a disability.
Matt says, “I am a great believer in using the performing arts as a tool to help and enhance the lives of those who are disenfranchised or separated in some way from the greater community. The arts can help build self esteem and bridges to friendships. It can give a person a stronger sense of self and their part in their community. Most importantly it gives license to have fun. If these things aren’t important to the growth and well being of young people, I’ll eat my hat.”
Katy Green teaching drama workshops at the Hawkesbury Regional Gallery
The Open Programs have wrapped up another successful series of dance and shadow puppetry workshops in Tern 2 for people with a disability in Western Sydney.
Drama Workshops
At the Hawkesbury Regional Gallery tutor Katy Green made maximum use of the Gallery space by engaging the participants directly with the works of the current exhibition. Katy developed circus theme exercises & activities based on the exhibition: Circus in Australian Art, making the exhibition experience more rich and meaningful for the participants by making it a multi sensory experience – an excellent example of good practice.
Shadow Puppetry Workshops
At The Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre tutor Stephen Carr facilitated a wonderful shadow puppetry show with participants for an end of term public performance. Participants were actively involved in all the puppet creation as well as maneuvering the puppets during the performance to tell the story of Myths and Legends from the sea.
More workshops in Term 3 @The Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre
Q Theatre Company are offering more workshops in Term 3 on Fridays beginning 31 July 2009. Get in quick as places are limited. Bookings essential. For bookings contact James Fischer at the Q Theatre on tel: (02) 4723 7613 or email: jfischer@jspac.com.au.
Bankstwon City Council’s 2009/10 Community Grants Program is now open. Local not-for-profit organisations are invited to apply for funding for projects under the categories of Community Grants – includes Environmental, Youth Grants, Arts/Cultural Grants and Sport & Recreation Grants.
In order to assist with the application process, attendance at our Information Workshop is considered essential. Please contact 9707 9794 to confirm your attendance. The session will be held on Thursday 23 July 2009 at 11:00am – 1:00pm at the Council Chambers (Roundhouse off Chapel Road).
Should you be unable to attend this session you should speak with a member of the Community Planning & Development Team by phoning (02) 9707 9794 prior to lodging your application.
Applications
Grant Applications must be made on the Official Grant Application Form in accordance with the Guidelines. Application forms and guidelines are available to download from the Bankstown City Council website, and are available from Council’s five library locations:
62 The Mall, Bankstown
Chester Hill Road, Chester Hill
Community Place, Greenacre
Cahors Road, Padstow
Anderson Avenue, Panania
When:Applications must be made in writing to Bankstown City Council by close of business on Friday 28 August 2009.
Where: Bankstown LGA, NSW
Contact: Community Planning & Development Team, tel: (02) 9707 9794.
In term three the Q Theatre Company is offering two exciting workshops for people with a disability.
Workshop One: 3 Dimensional Rod Puppetry run by Stephen Carr
Participants will learn skills in storytelling, creating three dimensional puppets and literacy.
Workshop Two: Acting and Improvisation
Participants will learn skills in acting, movement and improvisation.
Bookings are essential as there is a maximum 10 participants per workshop.
When: 10:30am – 12:30pm every Friday from 31 July to 2 October 2009. There will be a workshop performance on Friday 2 October 2009.
Where: Q Theatre Company, Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre, 597 High Street, Penrith NSW.
Who: People with a disability
Costs: $100 per participant per term. Please note due to demand workshops must be paid in advance at the start of each term.
Contact: For more information & to book your place, contact James Fischer tel: (02) 4723 7613 email: jfischer@jspac.com.au.
