MTF 2020 (online)
Music Theatre Futures 2020 took place online 12-2pm and 5-7pm, AEDT during Monday 7 Dec – Fri 11 Dec 2020.
What is Music Theatre Futures 2020?
Music Theatre Futures 2020 is a new online event hosted by VCA Music Theatre (Faculty of Fine Arts & Music, University of Melbourne) that provides a unique opportunity for learning and professional development, specifically aimed at leaders and makers in music theatre (including producers, directors, designers, music directors, writers, educators, agents, casting directors and more). The event in 2020 was held online and featured a range of Q&A panels, presentations and workshops.
Why was it created?
Music Theatre Futures 2020 was created to ensure the artform stays socially relevant and transformative for audiences and industry practitioners alike. Post-COVID, opportunities for meaningful social events will be more important than ever, so music theatre leaders and makers must recognise how the world has changed and respond accordingly to ensure the artform can innovate, adapt and thrive.
Music Theatre Futures 2020 presented a cross-section of “best practices” that emerged in recent years, which have relevant application for inclusive and professional music theatre practice. This cross-section presented research and innovative practices which thoughtfully problematised, re-interpreted and re-contextualised music theatre content, and/or offered ways of holding productive professional space that model best practices in an ever-changing world.
Aims
- Present an overview or sample of innovative practices that have emerged over the last 5 years, relevant to Music Theatre practice in Australia
- Provide a safe, inclusive space for learning and professional development for leaders and makers in the industry at no cost to the attendee
- Encourage discussion and collaboration across the industry
- Be a source of inspiration and rigorous thinking around issues of best practice to cultivate increased diversity, inclusion and creative rigour in Australian Music Theatre.
Access info
This event was fully online in 2020. Closed captioning was available for each session. AUSLAN interpreters were present at the session ‘Gestural Economies and Production Pedagogies in Deaf West’s Broadway Revival of Spring Awakening’.
Funding
The inaugural event was made possible through funding by the VCA Foundation Engagement Grant 2020.
Programming and Consultative Panel
The 2020 program was centred on the key theme of ‘inclusion’ and the key question: “how can we make our practices more inclusive?”
The 2020 programming panel consisted of:
Fiona Choi, Tyran Parke, Dr Zachary Dunbar and Jayde Kirchert.
Recorded sessions
Some sessions were recorded and recordings are now available. View the 2020 Program page and click through to each individual session page to get access.
Keep learning
Visit our Resources Page to learn more and get links to the resources mentioned in sessions. Contributions and suggestions from all participants welcomed.