Ballarat University Theatre Production Course Closure
Tue, 27 May 2003, 03:31 pmsuzie1 post in thread
Ballarat University Theatre Production Course Closure
Tue, 27 May 2003, 03:31 pmPlease read and help turn this decision around – SUPPORT THE FUTURE OF OUR ARTS INDUSTRY!
On Thursday May 8 Students and Lecturers were notified that the production course at Ballarat Uni (BAPA or AA depending on what you know it as) will not be taking any more students and the course will be closed down after the current first year students graduate. The decision secretly went through at University Council the night before with no discussion or hint to staff or the students. They were not given a proactive opportunity to increase the student numbers or find alternative options.
The course has managed to build an excellent reputation for itself in the industry with a huge number of quality graduates recognised and working in all facets of the industry professionally. The loss of the course is not only the loss of jobs for staff but also leaves a gap in the industry for well trained theatre workers of which Ballarat graduates are widely acknowledged. It is the loss of one of only TWO tertiary courses offering theatre production in Victoria.
By closing the course, it would seem that they are cutting off a vital arm of the arts community that is providing highly trained, professional, multi-skilled theatre workers. You only need to look within the programs of most major musicals and you will find Ballarat Graduates amongst the crew names. Chicago, Annie, Sound Of Music, Shout, We Will Rock You, Wizard Of Oz, Mamma Mia to name but a few and in most cases there are two or more names. This also then runs right through the Performing Arts Industry covering such companies and festivals as MTC (Melbourne Theatre Company), Hot House, Playbox, MSO (Melbourne Symphony Orchestra), Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Opera Australia, Melbourne Fringe Festival, The Australian Ballet, Disney, MIFA (Melbourne International Festival of The Arts), Gordon Frost, Jacobsen Entertainment, Cameron MacIntosh. This also extends into VAPAC (Victorian Association of Performing Arts Centres) venues such as VAC (Victorian Arts Centre), Bendigo, Ballarat, Geelong, Warrigal, Clock Tower Centre (Moonee Ponds) as well as The CUB Malthouse, Chapel Off Chapel, Marriners Theatres (Princess, Comedy, Regent & Forum Theatres), Her Majesty's, not to mention the hundred's and thousand's of corporate, charity, touring & community projects.
As a graduate of the course I am furious and deeply saddened that this is happening.
Yes they are leaving the musical theatre and acting courses in action but who exactly is going to service these courses. The cost of hiring in staff for each production is RIDICULOUS. One of the best elements of the course is the hands on approach it has always had and encouraged.
Often it is through watching and talking with your peers that you learn the most and develop a respect for the craft that you are all learning -being the art of theatre as a WHOLE. As a performer you must have an understanding of the production elements and vice versa - it is through the relationships that are built between peers in both streams where the respect, appreciation and understanding is developed - not just through doing it.
Graduates are working with major companies nationally and internationally - They are recognised for being well rounded thinking theatre workers not just churned out to do as everyone else.
The manner in which this decision was made was rude and unprofessional - Staff were told merely hours before the students (with NO warning) and had they had SIX security guards present.
Protests are starting and HUGE industry support is already evident with many respected industry professionals showing their support for the course and what it has achieved and disappointment at this decision through letters and phone calls.
If you would like to support the students, lecturers and graduates please write a letter and send a copy of your letter: by email they should go to saveproddies@hotmail.com and should be addressed to The Chancellor, Professor David Caro. A website has been setup: http://stick.by/production check it out to be kept up to date as to what is happening as it happens!!! Your letters can also be snail-mailed to: saveproddies – No3 Urquart Street Ballarat, Victoria, 3350 for our reference and use.
Alternatively telephoning and speaking personally with Professor Caro on (03) 5327 9000, ask that he and the University of Ballarat Council reconsider the decision. Please request a formal response in writing.
Letters to State and Federal Government Ministers or your local editor, and visits to see local ministers would also be most helpful.
Performing arts has always had to face these situations, the only way forward is to work together with one voice. We now ask you to assist us with your voice.
On Thursday May 8 Students and Lecturers were notified that the production course at Ballarat Uni (BAPA or AA depending on what you know it as) will not be taking any more students and the course will be closed down after the current first year students graduate. The decision secretly went through at University Council the night before with no discussion or hint to staff or the students. They were not given a proactive opportunity to increase the student numbers or find alternative options.
The course has managed to build an excellent reputation for itself in the industry with a huge number of quality graduates recognised and working in all facets of the industry professionally. The loss of the course is not only the loss of jobs for staff but also leaves a gap in the industry for well trained theatre workers of which Ballarat graduates are widely acknowledged. It is the loss of one of only TWO tertiary courses offering theatre production in Victoria.
By closing the course, it would seem that they are cutting off a vital arm of the arts community that is providing highly trained, professional, multi-skilled theatre workers. You only need to look within the programs of most major musicals and you will find Ballarat Graduates amongst the crew names. Chicago, Annie, Sound Of Music, Shout, We Will Rock You, Wizard Of Oz, Mamma Mia to name but a few and in most cases there are two or more names. This also then runs right through the Performing Arts Industry covering such companies and festivals as MTC (Melbourne Theatre Company), Hot House, Playbox, MSO (Melbourne Symphony Orchestra), Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Opera Australia, Melbourne Fringe Festival, The Australian Ballet, Disney, MIFA (Melbourne International Festival of The Arts), Gordon Frost, Jacobsen Entertainment, Cameron MacIntosh. This also extends into VAPAC (Victorian Association of Performing Arts Centres) venues such as VAC (Victorian Arts Centre), Bendigo, Ballarat, Geelong, Warrigal, Clock Tower Centre (Moonee Ponds) as well as The CUB Malthouse, Chapel Off Chapel, Marriners Theatres (Princess, Comedy, Regent & Forum Theatres), Her Majesty's, not to mention the hundred's and thousand's of corporate, charity, touring & community projects.
As a graduate of the course I am furious and deeply saddened that this is happening.
Yes they are leaving the musical theatre and acting courses in action but who exactly is going to service these courses. The cost of hiring in staff for each production is RIDICULOUS. One of the best elements of the course is the hands on approach it has always had and encouraged.
Often it is through watching and talking with your peers that you learn the most and develop a respect for the craft that you are all learning -being the art of theatre as a WHOLE. As a performer you must have an understanding of the production elements and vice versa - it is through the relationships that are built between peers in both streams where the respect, appreciation and understanding is developed - not just through doing it.
Graduates are working with major companies nationally and internationally - They are recognised for being well rounded thinking theatre workers not just churned out to do as everyone else.
The manner in which this decision was made was rude and unprofessional - Staff were told merely hours before the students (with NO warning) and had they had SIX security guards present.
Protests are starting and HUGE industry support is already evident with many respected industry professionals showing their support for the course and what it has achieved and disappointment at this decision through letters and phone calls.
If you would like to support the students, lecturers and graduates please write a letter and send a copy of your letter: by email they should go to saveproddies@hotmail.com and should be addressed to The Chancellor, Professor David Caro. A website has been setup: http://stick.by/production check it out to be kept up to date as to what is happening as it happens!!! Your letters can also be snail-mailed to: saveproddies – No3 Urquart Street Ballarat, Victoria, 3350 for our reference and use.
Alternatively telephoning and speaking personally with Professor Caro on (03) 5327 9000, ask that he and the University of Ballarat Council reconsider the decision. Please request a formal response in writing.
Letters to State and Federal Government Ministers or your local editor, and visits to see local ministers would also be most helpful.
Performing arts has always had to face these situations, the only way forward is to work together with one voice. We now ask you to assist us with your voice.
suzieTue, 27 May 2003, 03:31 pm
Please read and help turn this decision around – SUPPORT THE FUTURE OF OUR ARTS INDUSTRY!
On Thursday May 8 Students and Lecturers were notified that the production course at Ballarat Uni (BAPA or AA depending on what you know it as) will not be taking any more students and the course will be closed down after the current first year students graduate. The decision secretly went through at University Council the night before with no discussion or hint to staff or the students. They were not given a proactive opportunity to increase the student numbers or find alternative options.
The course has managed to build an excellent reputation for itself in the industry with a huge number of quality graduates recognised and working in all facets of the industry professionally. The loss of the course is not only the loss of jobs for staff but also leaves a gap in the industry for well trained theatre workers of which Ballarat graduates are widely acknowledged. It is the loss of one of only TWO tertiary courses offering theatre production in Victoria.
By closing the course, it would seem that they are cutting off a vital arm of the arts community that is providing highly trained, professional, multi-skilled theatre workers. You only need to look within the programs of most major musicals and you will find Ballarat Graduates amongst the crew names. Chicago, Annie, Sound Of Music, Shout, We Will Rock You, Wizard Of Oz, Mamma Mia to name but a few and in most cases there are two or more names. This also then runs right through the Performing Arts Industry covering such companies and festivals as MTC (Melbourne Theatre Company), Hot House, Playbox, MSO (Melbourne Symphony Orchestra), Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Opera Australia, Melbourne Fringe Festival, The Australian Ballet, Disney, MIFA (Melbourne International Festival of The Arts), Gordon Frost, Jacobsen Entertainment, Cameron MacIntosh. This also extends into VAPAC (Victorian Association of Performing Arts Centres) venues such as VAC (Victorian Arts Centre), Bendigo, Ballarat, Geelong, Warrigal, Clock Tower Centre (Moonee Ponds) as well as The CUB Malthouse, Chapel Off Chapel, Marriners Theatres (Princess, Comedy, Regent & Forum Theatres), Her Majesty's, not to mention the hundred's and thousand's of corporate, charity, touring & community projects.
As a graduate of the course I am furious and deeply saddened that this is happening.
Yes they are leaving the musical theatre and acting courses in action but who exactly is going to service these courses. The cost of hiring in staff for each production is RIDICULOUS. One of the best elements of the course is the hands on approach it has always had and encouraged.
Often it is through watching and talking with your peers that you learn the most and develop a respect for the craft that you are all learning -being the art of theatre as a WHOLE. As a performer you must have an understanding of the production elements and vice versa - it is through the relationships that are built between peers in both streams where the respect, appreciation and understanding is developed - not just through doing it.
Graduates are working with major companies nationally and internationally - They are recognised for being well rounded thinking theatre workers not just churned out to do as everyone else.
The manner in which this decision was made was rude and unprofessional - Staff were told merely hours before the students (with NO warning) and had they had SIX security guards present.
Protests are starting and HUGE industry support is already evident with many respected industry professionals showing their support for the course and what it has achieved and disappointment at this decision through letters and phone calls.
If you would like to support the students, lecturers and graduates please write a letter and send a copy of your letter: by email they should go to saveproddies@hotmail.com and should be addressed to The Chancellor, Professor David Caro. A website has been setup: http://stick.by/production check it out to be kept up to date as to what is happening as it happens!!! Your letters can also be snail-mailed to: saveproddies – No3 Urquart Street Ballarat, Victoria, 3350 for our reference and use.
Alternatively telephoning and speaking personally with Professor Caro on (03) 5327 9000, ask that he and the University of Ballarat Council reconsider the decision. Please request a formal response in writing.
Letters to State and Federal Government Ministers or your local editor, and visits to see local ministers would also be most helpful.
Performing arts has always had to face these situations, the only way forward is to work together with one voice. We now ask you to assist us with your voice.
On Thursday May 8 Students and Lecturers were notified that the production course at Ballarat Uni (BAPA or AA depending on what you know it as) will not be taking any more students and the course will be closed down after the current first year students graduate. The decision secretly went through at University Council the night before with no discussion or hint to staff or the students. They were not given a proactive opportunity to increase the student numbers or find alternative options.
The course has managed to build an excellent reputation for itself in the industry with a huge number of quality graduates recognised and working in all facets of the industry professionally. The loss of the course is not only the loss of jobs for staff but also leaves a gap in the industry for well trained theatre workers of which Ballarat graduates are widely acknowledged. It is the loss of one of only TWO tertiary courses offering theatre production in Victoria.
By closing the course, it would seem that they are cutting off a vital arm of the arts community that is providing highly trained, professional, multi-skilled theatre workers. You only need to look within the programs of most major musicals and you will find Ballarat Graduates amongst the crew names. Chicago, Annie, Sound Of Music, Shout, We Will Rock You, Wizard Of Oz, Mamma Mia to name but a few and in most cases there are two or more names. This also then runs right through the Performing Arts Industry covering such companies and festivals as MTC (Melbourne Theatre Company), Hot House, Playbox, MSO (Melbourne Symphony Orchestra), Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Opera Australia, Melbourne Fringe Festival, The Australian Ballet, Disney, MIFA (Melbourne International Festival of The Arts), Gordon Frost, Jacobsen Entertainment, Cameron MacIntosh. This also extends into VAPAC (Victorian Association of Performing Arts Centres) venues such as VAC (Victorian Arts Centre), Bendigo, Ballarat, Geelong, Warrigal, Clock Tower Centre (Moonee Ponds) as well as The CUB Malthouse, Chapel Off Chapel, Marriners Theatres (Princess, Comedy, Regent & Forum Theatres), Her Majesty's, not to mention the hundred's and thousand's of corporate, charity, touring & community projects.
As a graduate of the course I am furious and deeply saddened that this is happening.
Yes they are leaving the musical theatre and acting courses in action but who exactly is going to service these courses. The cost of hiring in staff for each production is RIDICULOUS. One of the best elements of the course is the hands on approach it has always had and encouraged.
Often it is through watching and talking with your peers that you learn the most and develop a respect for the craft that you are all learning -being the art of theatre as a WHOLE. As a performer you must have an understanding of the production elements and vice versa - it is through the relationships that are built between peers in both streams where the respect, appreciation and understanding is developed - not just through doing it.
Graduates are working with major companies nationally and internationally - They are recognised for being well rounded thinking theatre workers not just churned out to do as everyone else.
The manner in which this decision was made was rude and unprofessional - Staff were told merely hours before the students (with NO warning) and had they had SIX security guards present.
Protests are starting and HUGE industry support is already evident with many respected industry professionals showing their support for the course and what it has achieved and disappointment at this decision through letters and phone calls.
If you would like to support the students, lecturers and graduates please write a letter and send a copy of your letter: by email they should go to saveproddies@hotmail.com and should be addressed to The Chancellor, Professor David Caro. A website has been setup: http://stick.by/production check it out to be kept up to date as to what is happening as it happens!!! Your letters can also be snail-mailed to: saveproddies – No3 Urquart Street Ballarat, Victoria, 3350 for our reference and use.
Alternatively telephoning and speaking personally with Professor Caro on (03) 5327 9000, ask that he and the University of Ballarat Council reconsider the decision. Please request a formal response in writing.
Letters to State and Federal Government Ministers or your local editor, and visits to see local ministers would also be most helpful.
Performing arts has always had to face these situations, the only way forward is to work together with one voice. We now ask you to assist us with your voice.