Workshops & Mentoring
Facilitating, mentoring and teaching are parts of my practice I see as important interfaces between my own processes, the work of others and society generally. I approach this type of work in the same way as other processes in that I create structures to interrogate and then seek to respond to whatever happens and the needs that arise.
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Images: Anamaine Asinas, Jenna Downing, Emma McIntyre, Heidrun Löhr & Michelle Outram
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Upcoming Workshops
Exploring Presence to be held in London 9 to 11 August 2013. Exploring Collaboration & Interdisciplinarity to be held in Western Australia, 22 to 30 November 2013. |
Workshops
_My focus in creating workshops has always been to structure exercises so
participants will necessarily discover the process and material for
themselves. This method requires good planning but also a responsiveness
as a facilitator to each participant as while it is a process of
discovery, it is not unsupported.
My aim is to develop a generosity amongst each group of participants that is not exclusive to the group but rather a philosophy for creative processes that are inclusive, collaborative yet rigorous. Previous workshops include: 2uPACT (PACT, Sydney, 2005) Interdisciplinary Ensemble (Independent, WA, 2009) Meta-workshop (Artifactory, Perth, 2011) Presence in Performance (Taipei Artist Village, 2013) "One of the best things was that I felt like I was treated as an equal. From day one she [Michelle] called us all artists and allowed us to understand the in and outs of trying to work as an artist in Sydney. Michelle challenged us to work semi-professionally, take responsibility and really think for ourselves."
Lara Thoms 2005 Workshop Model 1 - Foundations for Collaboration
This model approaches collaboration through the development of facilitation skills. We start with me leading a meta-workshop on how to create and run a workshop and then each participant is assisted in developing the form and content of their workshops. The workshops are then done by the whole group and feedback is given. This process serves to introduce participants to each other in quite a sophisticated way as we share not only skills and experiences, but also approaches to working. This information forms a more embodied knowledge of how the group may proceed to work together and is particularly useful in groups where participants come from different backgrounds. After this initial foundation step it is possible to take the workshop in several directions including toward the creation of work, the interrogation of ideas or questions or into deeper research into group processes. Workshop Model 2 - Site-based Performance
This model is basically the body of research that informs my work but is not necessarily about working toward a public performance outcome. This series of workshops addresses a range of possibilities within the general category of site-based performance including working with responses to architecture, leading audiences, sensory response to place, and investigating relationships with history and memory of place. Workshop Model 3 - Presence in Performance
This workshop model is an extension of my solo improvisation practice and my work with performers as a director, choreographer and dramaturg. It is an exploration of eight different 'presences' I have been working with and between to be able to hone the qualities of performances and give the performer a greater range of choice while performing. In this case the term 'presence' is used refer to the range of how we are and how we might be in a place and time. For example, the qualities of presence of a stand-up comic are very different from those of an orchestral musician and are different again from a university lecturer, a bus driver, a person brushing their teeth and so on. |
Mentoring
_Mentoring is something that is going on all the time in one way or
other. It is part of the support network that is generated in order to
share knowledge and experience. It also means we are not so alone. Most
mentoring happens unofficially and remains at the level of a bond
between people who find each other interesting and stimulating. However,
there are now numerous opportunities for young people (and sometimes
for not-so young people) to be formally mentored.
"Michelle joined the Sud Stories team as my movement dramaturg but as a tribute to her vast knowledge she also became the voice and technical consultant on the project. As if that wasn't enough, Michelle helped me define a daily practice to sensitise my body. She is hugely giving and an inspiration to work with."
Janette McGinty Theatre Maker/Performer & Childrens' Educator "Michelle has always been a person with extraordinary vision and humour, qualities that are boldly expressed through her diverse body of work and our vigorous discussions of social history. As one of my oldest friends since moving to Australia, I have witnessed how she has engaged with and inspired young artists in their practice and count myself among the fortunate few within the Australian performance community who have been greatly touched by her generous spirit and friendship, which started while a member of Shagging Julie. Her example continues to inspire me in my own efforts to do the same for others."
Teik-Kim Pok Performance Maker "Michelle challenges what we perceive as typical, particularly in relation to perceptions of 'worth' which she approaches in a non-rigid, non-quantitative, non-outcome-driven way. I find myself connecting with this process and am also inspired by her commitment to the work she makes, the people around her and her own personal development. Michelle has shown great interest in my development, is supportive of my achievements and gives honest feedback about the things I do. She always encourages me to challenge myself while teasing out aims and desires that I had not yet been able to articulate by carefully and considerately questioning my processes and actions. Even though we now live in different cities, I greatly appreciate our ongoing dialogue about life, art, process and politics."
Emma McIntyre |