Sydney Theatre Company Education present By Wesley Enoch and Deborah Mailman With Lisa Flanagan Directed by Leah Purcell Teacher's Resource Kit Written and compiled by Robyn Edwards and Samantha Kosky sydneytheatre.com.au/education Copyright Copyright protects this Teacher’s Resource Kit. Except for purposes permitted by the Copyright Act, reproduction by whatever means is prohibited. However, limited photocopying for classroom use only is permitted by educational institutions. Sydney Theatre Company’s The 7 Stages of Grieving Teacher’s Notes © 2008 1 IMPORTANT INFORMATION The 7 Stages of Grieving By Wesley Enoch and Deborah Mailman Season 22 February – 20 March 2008 Venue Wharf 2, Sydney Theatre Company Pier 4/5 Hickson Road,Walsh Bay Touring The 7 Stages of Grieving will tour to Griffith Regional Arts Centre (2 April), Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre (4, 5, 7 April) and Albury Performing Arts Centre 9, 10 April). This tour has been made possible by Arts NSW through the ConnectED programme. Sydney Theatre Company would like to take this opportunity to warn members of the audience that this production contains names and visual representations of people recently dead, which may be distressing to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. All care has been taken to acquire the appropriate permission and show all proper respect. The performance time is approximately one hour. Please note there will be no interval and latecomers will not be admitted. We respectfully ask teachers discuss theatre etiquette with students prior to attending the performance. We respectfully ask that you discuss theatre etiquette with your students prior to coming to the performance. Running Late? Please contact Sydney Theatre Company’s main switch on 9250 1700 and a message will be passed to Front of House. Booking Queries Please contact Barbara Vickery on 02 9250 1778 or [email protected] General Education Queries Please contact Helen Hristofski, Education Manager, on 02 9250 1726 or [email protected] Sydney Theatre Company’s The 7 Stages of Grieving Teacher’s Notes © 2008 2 Sydney Theatre Company Sydney Theatre Company (STC) produces theatre of the highest standard that consistently illuminates, entertains and challenges. It is committed to the engagement between the imagination of its artists and its audiences, to the development of the art form of theatre, and to excellence in all its endeavours. STC has been a major force in Australian drama since its establishment in 1978. It was created by the New South Wales Government, following the demise of the Old Tote Theatre Company. The original intention was to better utilise the Drama Theatre of the Sydney Opera House and the new Company comprised a small central administration staff, technical staff, workshop and rehearsal facilities. Richard Wherrett was appointed Artistic Director from 1979 to 1990. The Wharf opened on 13 December, 1984 by Premier Neville Wran, which allowed all departments of the Company to be housed under one roof for the first time. The venue was to become the envy of the theatre world. From 1985, the Company could perform in two locations throughout the year, the Drama Theatre and The Wharf. From 1990 to 1999, Wayne Harrison served as Artistic Director. A third regular venue, Sydney Theatre, administered and operated by STC, opened in 2004. The predominant financial commitment to STC is made by its audience. Of this audience, the Company's subscribers make a crucial commitment. The Company is also assisted annually by grants from the Federal Government through the Australia Council and the New South Wales Government through the Ministry for the Arts. STC also actively seeks sponsorship and donations from the corporate sector and from private individuals. To access detailed information on Sydney Theatre Company, its history and productions please contact our Archivist Judith Seeff at [email protected] Sydney Theatre Company’s The 7 Stages of Grieving Teacher’s Notes © 2008 3 Sydney Theatre Company Education Sydney Theatre Company is committed to education by programming original productions and workshops that enthuse and engage the next generation of theatre-goers. Within the education programme Sydney Theatre Company produces its own season of plays as well as collaborates with leading theatre-for-young-people companies across Australia. Often a young person’s first experience of theatre is facilitated by teachers. STC ensures access to all of its mainstage productions through the Schools Day programme as well as produces and tours theatre specifically crafted to resonate with young people. STC works to support educators in their Drama and English-teaching practices. Every year dynamic workshops are held by leading theatre practitioners to support curriculum content, detailed resources are provided for all productions and an extensive work-experience programme is available to students from across the state. The annual Sydney Morning Herald and Sydney Theatre Company Young Playwright’s Award continues to develop and encourage young writers. The winning students receive a cash prize and a two-day workshop with a professional director, dramaturg and cast – an invaluable opportunity and experience. Sydney Theatre Company has an extensive on-line resource for teachers and students. Visit www.sydneytheatre.com.au/education. We encourage teachers to subscribe to regular e-news to keep informed as well as access heavily discounted tickets and special offers/ For further information on STC Education programme, please contact the Education Manager Helen Hristofski at [email protected] Sydney Theatre Company’s The 7 Stages of Grieving Teacher’s Notes © 2008 4 Production Credits The 7 Stages of Grieving By Wesley Enoch and Deborah Mailman The Woman Lisa Flanagan Director Leah Purcell Designer Bruce McKinven Lighting Designer Luiz Pampolha Sound Designer Brendan O'Brien Production Manager Terri Richards Stage Manager Annette Dale Assistant Stage Manager Larna Burgess-Munro Touring Stage Manager Georgia Gilbert Touring Assistant Stage Manager Pheobe Collier Leah Purcell comes to Sydney Theatre Company courtesy of Bungabura Productions This production opened on 25 February 2008 at Wharf 2, Sydney Theatre Company. Sydney Theatre Company’s The 7 Stages of Grieving Teacher’s Notes © 2008 5 MEDIA RELEASE Sydney Theatre Company Education presents THE 7 STAGES OF GRIEVING By Wesley Enoch and Deborah Mailman Friday 22 February - Tuesday 18 March 2008 Wharf 2, Sydney Theatre Company One of Australia’s most popular and celebrated Indigenous plays, The 7 Stages of Grieving by Wesley Enoch and Deborah Mailman, makes a welcome return to Sydney Theatre Company this year. An all new production directed by Leah Purcell and starring Lisa Flanagan, takes audiences on an emotional journey through love, anger, humour and loss, at Wharf 2 from 22 February to 18 March 2008. The groundbreaking play, chronicling one woman’s grief and exploring issues of forgiveness and reconciliation, integrates traditional and contemporary forms of storytelling, movement and song. Paralleling Elisabeth Kubler- Ross’s 5 Stages of Dying with the 7 Phases of Aboriginal history and the processes of grieving, the return of this empowering work is particularly timely. Having first appeared in 1995, the play went on to be a massive hit and tour internationally before a final scene was re-written and the piece re-staged to incorporate the historic ‘reconciliation’ or ‘sorry’ march across the Sydney Harbour Bridge. With a formal apology by the government proposed as a first item of business for federal parliament on 13 February 2008, the play again looks set to evolve in a changing Australian context. Open to both school groups and the general public, The 7 Stages of Grieving is the first production of Sydney Theatre Company’s 2008 Education programme. Making her Sydney Theatre Company debut, Leah Purcell co-wrote and acted in Box The Pony, which played in Sydney, Edinburgh and London. As an actor she is known for the films Lantana, Somersault, The Proposition and Jindabyne and she wrote and directed the documentary Black Chicks Talking, which won a 2002 Inside Film Award. Stage credits include The Story of the Miracles at Cookies Table (nominated for Best Actress award, 2007 Sydney Theatre Awards) Parramatta Girls and Stuff Happens (nominated for Best Actress award, 2006 Helmann Awards). Lisa Flanagan has numerous film and television credits, including Australian Rules, Black and White and All Saints and theatre credits including Parramatta Girls, My Girragundji and The Sapphires. Sydney Theatre Company Education delivers a specially designed programme for up to 30,000 young people each year, including four major productions, a range of workshops, professional development opportunities for teachers and a range of other activities including the Sydney Theatre Company Sydney Morning Herald Young Playwrights’ Award. Following its Sydney dates, the production also tours to Griffith Regional Theatre (opens 2 April), Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre (opens 4 April) and Albury Performing Arts Centre (opens 9 April). Cast Lisa Flanagan Director Leah Purcell Designer Bruce McKinven Lighting Designer Luiz Pampolha Sound Designer Brendan O'Brien Venue Wharf 2, Sydney Theatre Company Season Friday 22 February – Tuesday 18 March Price $20 per student Bookings 02 9250 1777 Information sydneytheatre.com.au/education Media For further information, images, interviews please contact: Tim McKeough (02) 9250