Monash University students to create digital performances for this year’s Melbourne Fringe Festival

Monash University’s Centre for Theatre and Performance (CTP) has partnered with the Melbourne Fringe Festival, enabling university students the opportunity to collaborate with professional theatre-makers.

Monash CTP, part of the Faculty of Arts, announced today that it will present its upcoming season of new works at the Festival, which kicks off on Thursday, November 12, 2020.

The partnership includes three collaborations between professional theatre-makers and third-year students.

In a first for the CTP, these works will be both created and performed within a digital space, responding to the physical distancing restrictions caused by COVID-19.

“Monash CTP is proud to partner with an iconic Melbourne institution that aligns with our focus on creativity, collaboration and innovation,” CTP Director Professor Stacy Holman Jones said.

Melbourne Fringe Festival has long been esteemed as one of Australia’s premier performing arts events.

“Digital theatre practice and performance represents an unprecedented opportunity to develop dynamic responses to the challenges we’re facing in the performing arts. This opportunity is just as relevant for seasoned practitioners as students.”

The partnership also includes the creation of 16 internships ranging from marketing opportunities to production for senior students.

Each opportunity allows up-and-coming young professionals to be mentored in all aspects of programming and producing and will see CTP students make a direct impact on the Fringe Festival’s independent program.

“Our partnership with the Melbourne Fringe Festival underscores our commitment to expanding the meaning of performance and contributing to the evolution of performance practices,” said CTP Producer and Programmer Daniel Lammin.

“We are thrilled that our students will be at the forefront of this exploration in collaboration with world-class artists, and be able to present their work as peers amongst the festival’s renowned and respected line up.

“The performing arts have been one of the most severely impacted industries during this pandemic. To know that we’re still able to produce some outstanding work in a COVID safe, digital way, is highly important for our students and the future of cultural events.”

The three works due to be presented at the festival will be led by award-winning theatre makers Cassandra Fumi (Best Emerging Ensemble Award for Dog Show, Melbourne Fringe Festival, 2018), Born in a Taxi (Best Production, Melbourne Fringe Festival, 2005) and Marcel Dorney (Best Writing for Prehistoric, Green Room Awards, 2014).

The students will also be supported with professional mentorship from designers Jason Lehane and Nathan Burmeister, and production managers Tennessee Mynott-Rudland and Sophie Ashkanasy, all of whom have strong connections with Monash CTP as graduates or tutors.