The Context of the Performance Event

Abstract

This chapter looks not just at the performance itself, but at the whole event of theatregoing for young people. There is a discussion of the architecture and semiotic of the buildings and performance spaces themselves, and how they are experienced by young audiences, and a discussion of the various experiences which comprise the entire event, the social factors relating to what is usually an event they attend in large groups (e.g. school parties) or small (e.g. family or friendship groups), the protocols and rituals, their expectations, and their own demeanour and behaviour.

INTERLUDE

4.1.1 Case Studies 7 and 8

CASE 7: The Shape of a Girl by Joan MacLeod

COMPANY: Sydney Opera House, House:Ed.

VENUE: The Studio, Sydney Opera House.

CASE STUDY PERFORMANCE: 12.30 pm, Tuesday 19 May 2009.

SEASON: 22 June – 1 July 2009.

KEY INFORMANTS:

Noel Jordan, Director and Partner Investigator.

Mia Bucholtz, Education Manager.

Teachers from each of the four attending schools.

AUDIENCES DETAILS: This was a school matinee performance attended by approximately 139 Year 9 – Year 12 students and 10 teachers from four high schools. They came from the Hunter and Illawarra regions as well as south western Sydney. The young people were from diverse socio-economic and cultural backgrounds and 40 % of students spoke a language other than English at home.

Pre-show audience surveys	109
Post-show interviewees	86
6 month interviewees	8

RESEARCH TEAM:

Partner Chief Investigator: Michael Anderson.

Chief Investigators: Robyn Ewing, John Hughes.

Lead Research Assistant / State Project Officer: Josephine Fleming.

Research Assistants: Linzy Brady, Jess Chilton, Claire Coleman, Marianne Mansour, Casey-Ann Wainer, Linden Wilkinson.

• Young people cannot be defined as a single homogeneous group and therefore a uniform approach to programming for and communicating with young people is problematic.

• Prior exposure or study can influence an audience member’s tolerance to more challenging theatre genres, such as non-linear narrative. In turn this can influence young people’s engagement with the production.

• The majority of those interviewed responded positively towards Sydney Opera House as a venue. It was regarded with both awe and pride across the four schools.

CASE 8: The Shape of a Girl by Joan MacLeod

COMPANY: The Arts Centre, Melbourne (Education and Families).

VENUE: Fairfax Studio, the Arts Centre Melbourne.

CASE STUDY PERFORMANCE: 1 pm, Tuesday 26 May 2009.

SEASON: 26–29 May, 2009.

KEY INFORMANTS:

Noel Jordan, Director.

Phillip Norman, Program Manager, Education & Families Performances.

Robin Penty, Manager, Education, Families and Young People.

Teacher from one of the attending schools.

AUDIENCES DETAILS: The young people participating in this case study were secondary school students from 8 schools across Victoria. They attended a schools matinee that was not available to the general public.

Pre-show audience surveys	109
Post-show interviewees	69
6 month interviewees	2

RESEARCH TEAM:

Chief Investigators: Kate Donelan, Angela O’Brien.

Lead Research Assistant: Meg Upton.

State Project Officer: Tim Stitz.

Research Assistants: Grant Cartwright, Sharon Davis, Clare Irvine, Petra Kalive, Sarah Lockwood, John O’Toole, Kylie Trounson.

• The data from regional schools shows that visits to theatre in Melbourne are essential in introducing country students to live performance, broadening their experiences and giving them a sense of engagement in the cultural life of Melbourne.

• Teachers are crucial in enabling access to theatre for students, particularly regional students and those students whose parents are not interested theatre-goers. For many participants in this case study the organisation and interest of teachers was the determining factor in students attending.

• Participants believed their own performance experiences and their Drama education gave them a greater insight into the work that goes into a production; consequently these young people were more respectful of theatre they saw than those not studying Drama.