WEEK 2
Activity 1: Queensland Theatre Case Study
- Is it reasonable to expect a state theatre company to program First Nations-centred work? If so, why?
The state theatre company is Australia’s main community and cultural resource. It is vital to people’s artistic life and has a huge impact. It is very important to establish indigenous voices at this stage. It plays an important role in the cultural recognition and social and political rights of First Nations.
- Is it reasonable to place the same level of expectation on smaller arts companies, like independent artists?
Yes, MAIN STAGE COMMUNITY THEATRE notes “There are many ways in which local Lowcountry community theatre is important, ranging from furthering education to self-expression, introducing change, and so much more. Even in the 21st century, society needs the theatre, maybe even more so than before…, Self-empowerment can be the result of community theatre, which might give someone the boost they need to make a difference.” [1] Small arts companies also play an important role in the cultural recognition and social and political rights of First Nations.
- As an artist about to emerge into the professional field, what expectations do you place on yourself in terms of intersecting with First Nations artists and audiences?
Learn more about them, look at problems from their perspective, and learn about their culture.
- Lewis apologized. Was the public apology enough? If you were working for the company, what would you advise as the correct course of action moving forward?
It is not enough, it is necessary to collect feedback extensively, analyze the problems that have arisen, find out the reasons for the problems, and the methods to avoid them, and establish new programs and plans.
Activity 2: Reflecting on Welcome To Country
Now, create a blog post in your online portfolio and reflect on the following questions:
- Have you seen a particularly compelling or moving Welcome to Country?
- Even if you don’t identify as FNP, you can perform an Acknowledgment of Country. Reflecting on all that has been taught to you so far, what are some key points that you’d address in your Acknowledgment? Reflect or research:
- Where you were born and raised, and the cultural history of that land;
- Where your parents came from, and the cultural history of that land;
- Where you now make art, and how you feel the country and culture express itself through your art.
I have been exposed to a particularly touching “Welcome to the Country” in the places I traveled. The scene and the music shocked me.
We welcome you to our country region, I am lucky that my country is intact, and I have not experienced war. On October 1, 1949, the founding of the People’s Republic of China was also my father’s birthday. The founding of the People’s Republic of China completely ended the history of the semi-colonial and semi-feudal society in old China and opened a new chapter in the history of China. On this day, the unequal treaties imposed by the big powers and all the privileges of the imperialists in China were completely abolished, and China realized a great leap from thousands of years of feudal autocracy to people’s democracy and realized a high degree of unification of China and unprecedented unity of all ethnic groups. Since then, the Chinese people have held their destiny in their own hands and become the masters of the country, society, and their own destiny! China is the place where I was born and grew up. The history here has a long history and the culture here is extensive and profound. It is the crystallization of the civilization of the Chinese nation for thousands of years. My respected and beloved ancestor: Thank you for your kindness and virtue and thank you for giving me perfect wisdom and love. Thanks to my ancestors for their support and protection, I respect and thank all my ancestors, and I would like to express my deep respect and gratitude to all my ancestors.
[1] 5 Reasons Community Theatre is So Important, Main Stage Community Theatre, 2022, https://www.mainstagecommunitytheatre.org/news-blog/5-reasons-community-theatre-is-important, Accessed 22 November 2022.
