Term 1

Drama NSW
Creative Confluences: Devising Day for Teachers and Gifted and Talented Stage 5/6 Students

Tantrum is pleased to be delivering Teacher Professional Learning for Hunter based Drama Teachers and Gifted & Talent Students.

A one-day workshop on devising strategies for contemporary theatre, where we will delve into the world of devising techniques and collaborate with two experienced creatives – one working with students, the other with teachers. This interactive workshop aims to empower both teachers and gifted and talented students to explore their creativity, learn new theatrical approaches, and work together to craft mini performances that will be presented to each other at the end of the day.

Event Information
Date: 11^th April
Time: 9.30am – 2.30pm
Where: Newcastle TBA
Catering: Morning tea provided

Facilitators:

Adam Deusien

Adam is a director and creative producer with over 15 years’ experience in creating original narrative driven performance, adaptations of canonical texts and contemporary performance, in Bathurst, regional NSW. He is a graduate of Charles Sturt University BA – Communication: Theatre/Media and MA – Directing for the Stage, and in 2018 graduated with distinction as part of NIDA’s inaugural cohort of the MFA – Cultural Leadership.

Adam is Artistic Director of Lingua Franca, working extensively with Local Stages, Bathurst’s Performing Arts Development Program, as a director, producer and dramaturg, presenting work in regional Australia, nationally and internationally. He has directed numerous works with the company including Right Behind You, Unsustainable Behaviour and Mighty. As a freelance artist, Adam has adapted and directed Lysistrata, The Bacchae, The Trojan Women and The Fox (CYCLE Productions) as well as working as assistant/rehearsal director for companies Ensemble Theatre, Griffin Theatre, Stalker Theatre and Siren Theatre Co.

In recognition of his work in regional Australia, in 2016 Adam was awarded the CreateNSW Regional Arts Fellowship, and in 2017 continued this work as Artistic Associate with the Bathurst Memorial Entertainment Centre. In 2018 he was appointed Artistic Director/Director of the Arts Program for Artstate, New South Wales regional arts festival and conference. In 2019 he was the recipient of a Sandra Bates Director’s Award with Ensemble Theatre. From 2019-23 he worked in programming roles with Events ACT and Canberra Theatre Centre as Manager of New Work. He has since has returned to freelance making practice in the Hunter Region, including directing acclaimed Spewy by Ang Collins for New Annual 2023.

Penelope (Nel) Kentish

Nel is a theatre maker and teaching artist. She has a Bachelor of Arts (Communication – Theatre/Media) and a Master of Arts Practice (Performance) from Charles Sturt University, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Community Cultural Development Practice from University of Melbourne.  

Penelope has been producing work with young people since she was an emerging artist at Tantrum in 2009. She has worked as a director and workshop facilitator in theatre for young people in Bathurst, Sydney, Newcastle, Melbourne, Ballarat, and in Southern New Jersey, USA.  

As Creative Director at Tantrum she produced and co-directed Party Party Boom Boom (2023), produced Good Mourning (2023), and directed the film adaptation of Opening Doors (2022).  

Prior to returning to Tantrum she directed a series of works with young people in partnership with Bathurst Memorial Entertainment Centre’s Local Stages program, including: W (2020), Nicole’s Fancy Party (2020), 17 things the government doesn’t want you to know about the internet (2017, Bathurst, Sydney), also in partnership with Australian Theatre For Young People. She co-directed The Beast (2018, Bathurst) as part of Artstate NSW.  

Penelope’s work with Newcastle-based performance company Big One Little One, has toured to countless festivals across the country, been nominated for a Green Room Award (Blind Date, 2012), and in 2013 won the Best Live Art award at Melbourne Fringe Festival for their immersive, one-minute show Confetti.  

For seven years, Penelope was a sessional academic at Charles Sturt University, lecturing in theatre making, production, communication, and drama education.