As part of UNESCO International ARTS Celebration week, Reservoir High year 9 Drama students have been working via Webex classes on a piece of theatre that will be shared with other participants across Victoria.
This is part in the Drama Victoria Theatre Festival, an inter-school performance-making festival which engages with First Nations perspectives and artists. We were lucky enough to get our preliminary workshops finished at La Trobe University before isolation measures were brought in. We had also planned to host our cluster group performance pieces in our Performing Arts Theatre, This year is taking place entirely online, allowing students and teachers to explore new approaches to performance. Arts Week this year also coincides with National Reconciliation Week (27 May-3 June).
Through this performance piece, our year 9 drama class has researched Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander traditions, history and artistic contributions to appropriately and respectfully interpret an understanding of Indigenous culture. Through the use of interpretive dance, poetry and acting skills, drama students have been exploring the difficulties of displacement and adapting to deprivation of their traditional way of life. In addition to acknowledging the hardships and trauma these cultures have faced over generations, students have also taken this opportunity to celebrate the strengths of our Indigenous brothers and sisters, highlighting their successes and achievements through inspirational leaders such as Eddie Mabo.
Nina Rossini/ Madi Desiato
