A week on the job: Insight from our new research assistant

Starting a new role is always an adventure. Our new research assistant Lynne introduces herself and takes you through her first week on the Creative Convergence team.

As a Researcher/Artist/Educator, I’m looking forward to bringing my experience in the theatre industry and research into Australian puppet theatre into the project in my capacity as research assistant. So, I was pleased that my time in the project began with a trip to visit to Melbourne Theatre Company (MTC), one of our partner organisations. While there I met the energetic education team, including Project Chief Investigator Jeremy Rice, and settled in for matinee of current touring production, award-winning playwright Finnegan Kruckemeyer’s  “The Violent Outburst That Drew Me To You”.

Over the past week it’s been inspiring to learn how the MTC and our other partner organisations, including Theatre Network Australia (TNA), Arena Theatre Company in Bendigo, Geelong Performing Arts Centre and Hothouse Theatre in Albury/Wodonga are using new technologies to engage youth audiences and measure the impact of theatre in regional areas.

I’m particularly looking forward to the upcoming October symposium with TNA as it will be a fantastic opportunity to hear and see more from our partners. At the moment I’m working to help organise the event and am excited to be part of what I am sure will be an inspiring event.

Dr Lynne Kent
Research Assistant-Creative Convergence Project University of Melbourne