2014 QLD YOUTH
So, what made you guys want to launch something like Shake Fest?
RB: We are really passionate about Shakespeare. Full stop. Festivals similar to this Shake Fest used to exist back when I was at school and participating in them is honestly one of the reasons I forged a career as a theatre maker and lead me to establish shake & stir theatre co with Nick Skubij and Nelle Lee. We wanted to offer the same opportunities for students today – access to professional artists, connections with like-minded students and the chance to creatively tackle a piece of Shakespeare. So, last year we launched the Inaugural QLD Youth Shakespeare Festival and we were blown away by the response we received from schools. It seems both students and teachers were craving this unique opportunity – a competitive festival combining multiple art forms all celebrating the works of William Shakespeare.
What makes this festival unique?
NR: What I love about this Festival is that you can make it fit with your school. You can choose to enter as many categories as you want. Some schools do Shakespearean duologues or scenes as part of their assessment – so they can enter their best from each into the Regional Finals. Other schools like to make this something that all the creative arts can get involved in – the FTV students can enter a film, the drama kids can do acting and design, dancers can enter a piece and so on – all inspired by Shakespeare.
After launching Shake Fest for 2014 at our recent State Conference, we took a few minutes to chat
with Ross Balbuziente, one of the Artistic Directors at shake & stir theatre co and Naomi Russell, the Education Manager, to find out a bit more about the Festival and how schools can get involved.
I would like to pass on my thanks for the
professionalism and
care for the students
that was evident
throughout Shake Fest. There are very few quality performance
opportunities for
students in drama outside the school environment and it was great to be able to participate. I was
particularly happy to see how student focussed it was to ensure that their participation was a
positive experience.
I loved the bare bones approach with a focus on acting, singing and not costumes etc which meant students from all socio economic backgrounds could compete on an equal footing.
Thanks and I look forward to participating again
next year.
Cannon Hill
Anglican College
RB: Yep - we’ve even had students approach us who really want to be a part of it, but it wasn’t in their curriculum, so they found a teacher to be their representative and then planned it all themselves as extracurricular. We love that kind of passion!
NR: And the great thing is that students can enter up to 2 categories at the Regional Finals – so if you’ve got a performer who also has a passion for photography – get them to enter both!
Awesome! So, let’s say I enter my school, and my students then win at the Regional Finals. What happens next?
RB: Winners from each Regional Final will then progress through to the State Finals held on 17 & 18 October at the beautiful Brisbane Powerhouse. Friday is a day of free workshops and Masterclasses for the students and they have the opportunity to hear from professionals artists, as well as get to know the other competitors – it’s a really super friendly environment.
NR: And for teachers it’s a chance for you to come and have a ‘day off’ at the Powerhouse!
RB: On Saturday we gear up for the State Finals with sessions happening for each category. Results are announced at the end of the day. We also announce the 30 lucky students who are chosen to be a part of the Shakespearean Production the following January.
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SHAKE FEST