Bloom 2025

Lift Off - Drama Queensland State Conference 2026

Conference Program

Convenors Message - Lucy Harkin

A rocket needs a force greater than itself to lift off.

Drama Queensland is delighted to launch our full program for LIFT OFF! Our annual conference is an opportunity for us to come together as a Drama community, engage in professional development and share our artistry with one another. This year, we’ve collaborated with leading drama educators, dynamic theatre-makers, and influential industry voices to help us fuel our journey through 2026 and beyond! Across two days, you’ll experience mix of workshops, research presentations, keynotes, and artist masterclasses designed to expand your practice and energise your curriculum expertise.

Your participation will help you prepare your launch pad for your journey, fuelled by new creative possibilities. We can’t wait to welcome you to Stuartholme School on 29th and 30th May as we explore the endless possibilities that Drama has for us all!

President's Message - Scott Andrews

Lucy Harkin has yet again designed an exquisitely curated conference program centred around the theme – Lift Off.

Over the past few years there has been significant change in the drama teaching landscape – particular around curriculum changes, scaling, the fighting for enrolment numbers and job security. In such times are we are in now; we need to look to each other and our wider drama community for support. LIFT OFF provides a platform for us to take on new ways of thinking and chart a different direction moving forward. As a community, let’s equip ourselves to venture forth in a way where students, educators, government bodies, post school pathway providers and industry can truly thrive together.

As always, the state conference not only represents exceptional value for money but also continues to be our most valuable professional development opportunity.

Booking early ensures that you can secure your place and get access to your first choice of workshops. So please don’t delay. Get that PD application in and I’ll see you in May at LIFT OFF.

LIFT OFF 2026 PROGRAM AT A GLANCE

Day 1 Program - Friday 29 May 2026

4:30 – 5:00pm

Registration

Session 1

5:00 – 5:30pm

Conference Welcome – Scott Andrews, Drama Queensland President

Acknowledgement of Country

Awards – Regional Grant and Robin Thomas Bursary

5:30 – 6:00pm

An evening with Shake & Stir

Celebrating 20 years Join Shake & Stir Theatre Company’s Artistic Directors: Nelle Lee, Nick Skubij, and Ross Balbuziente for an engaging Q&A celebrating their remarkable 20 year journey in the arts and arts education. Hear insights into their creative evolution, groundbreaking productions, and the educational impact that has shaped one of Australia’s leading contemporary theatre companies.

6:00 – 6:30pm

Light Dinner + Industry Partner meet and greet

6:30 – 7:15pm

Mystery Event – to be announced soon!

7:15 – 8:00pm

Drinks and Trade Displays

8:00pm

Close of Day One

Day 2 Program - Saturday 30 May 2026

8:00 – 9:00am

Registration + Industry Partner Displays

Session 2

9:00 – 9:30am

Conference Welcome – Scott Andrews, Drama Queensland President

Acknowledgement of Country

9:35 – 10:15am

Leadership Panel - Skills That Shape Leadership

This panel discussion, led by Dr John Nicholas Saunders (former Drama Queensland President, current board member for Drama Australia, and Chair of the National Advocates for Arts Education), explores the rich experiences of educational leaders and the ways in which their skills as drama practitioners have informed and strengthened their leadership practice.
The panel will share insights that resonate with drama teachers at all career stages, from those beginning their teaching journey to experienced educators considering the next step into leadership. In the current educational climate, it is more important than ever to recognise how our pedagogical practice equips us to advocate for, and lead within, Arts education.

Panelists

Deb Lonsdale Walker, Deputy Principal, Stuartholme School

Bruce McPhee, Rector, Padual College

Josephine Wise, Deputy Executive Director - Education, Lutheran Education Queensland

Hayley Linthwaite, Creative Provocateur, Changemakers

10:20 – 10:35am

Housekeeping

10:35 – 11:00am

Morning Tea + Trade Displays

11:00am – 12:00pm
(60 mins)

Session 3

3.1

Rocket Fuel (Primary)

Devising Theatre with Young People

Virag Dombay and Harry Fritsch

Through this practical workshop, we will share our knowledge and expertise, as well as actionable techniques on how to create theatre that speaks to and is for young people with young people. We will use processes that we've utilised in our professional productions, as well as our term-based programs. Educators will have the opportunity to engage in these processes; allowing them to apply it directly to their classrooms. This workshop can be catered for primary or high school educators - we have run these workshop before in the past for both age groups. Whilst it is catered towards beginning teachers, educators from all experience levels would benefit.

Founded by Virag Dombay, Play on Stage is a youth drama studio and production company based in Brisbane that seeks to empower youth through the arts. Through our term-based classes, holiday programs, mainhouse productions, workshops, and more, we help young people find their voice and use it with confidence. We believe that the arts and drama provide young people with the opportunity to discover more about themselves through meaningful self-expression and the power of collaborative storytelling.

Harry Fritsch is a creative, professional writer working across genres and mediums. He graduated from Queensland University of Technology with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 2018. He writes youth plays, short stories, and articles, has published widely, edits collections, leads Play on Stage’s playwrighting, and works as an SEO copywriter.

3.2

Launch Pad (Years 7-8 )

Devised Challenges

Rob Masters

Devised Challenges are an excellent guided activity that will become a must-have for lesson planning. They are perfect for leaving as a cover lesson, as they are simple, student lead, and easy for any teacher to administer – I know leaving lesson plans for drama can be a headache. They give students a set of stimulus (to help inspire) and parameters (or rules) to work within. These easily customisable templates allow a new lesson to be generated in minutes. Rob will take you through an example and provide you with a number of ideas for how they can be adapted.

Rob Masters has been teaching Drama for over 15 years, most of those at Downlands College in Toowoomba. He studied acting at the UOW. At Downlands he teaches secondary Drama and FTVNM/Media Arts. He still works as an actor, fight choreographer, and director - in and out of school.

3.3

Blast Off (Years 9-10)

Acting Between the Lines

Brendan Glanville
Australian Acting Academy

In this hands-on session, Brendan shares a toolkit built from decades of experience to help students LIFT-OFF from line reading into telling the story with truth. You’ll explore techniques like the Silent Scene, owning space, and helping students “be” before they speak. Then, you’ll apply these to open scripts that build authentic connection, risk-taking, and presence. Brendan draws on his Safety Net Philosophy to help you direct scenes that fly. Whether you’re working with shy Year 7s or over-rehearsed seniors, you’ll leave with new tools, renewed clarity and the spark to help your students stop "performing" and start connecting.

Brendan Glanville is the Founding Artistic Director of the Australian Acting Academy and a specialist in directing youth performance. With over 30 years’ experience, he’s directed hundreds of plays and musicals and created original works for young actors. His acclaimed programs, Play in a Day, Drama Ignite, and Wellbeing Through Drama are grounded in his Safety Net Philosophy. Brendan brings humour, insight, and practical tools to every session.

3.4

Into the Cosmos (Senior Years)

Influences in Asia

Sam Neill and Courtney Stewart

This dynamic and interactive workshop invites drama teachers to explore Asian perspectives and the role of the arts in developing, maintaining, and transforming cultural beliefs and practices. Drawing on traditional and contemporary performance forms, participants will engage in practical drama activities that highlight how theatre communicates identity, values, and rituals, while also serving as a powerful medium for cultural dialogue and change.

Teachers will experience embodied strategies inspired by Asian performance traditions and will reflect on how these practices can be adapted for classroom use in culturally responsive and meaningful ways.

The session directly supports the Australian Curriculum priority of Asia and Australia’s engagement with Asia, while also building teacher confidence in using drama to foster intercultural understanding.

Sam Neill is a secondary drama teacher and Head of The Arts with Education Queensland and serves as Drama Queensland’s Vice President of Communications. He has held multiple QCAA assessor roles, completed a 2021 secondment as Principal Education Officer, tutor in CQU’s Master of Teaching, and is developing his practice as a transdisciplinary teacher artist.

Courtney Stewart is an acclaimed director, dramaturg, actor, and teaching artist passionate about intercultural works and multicultural dramaturgies. Currently Artistic Director and CEO of La Boite Theatre, she began her career as an actor before becoming a leading artistic voice with organisations including Sydney Theatre Company, Belvoir, and Contemporary Asian Australian Performance. She has contributed to major productions such as The Hate Race, Miss Peony, Top Coat, and Single Asian Female.

3.5

New Horizons

Counting Down to the Future: A Practical Guide to Making Digital Performance and Digital Theatre

Dr Kathyrn Kelly, Dr Shane Pike and Dr Elizabeth Gibbs

This presentation offers a practical guide to creating digital performance, including live theatre that integrates digital and media elements and screen-based work using theatrical techniques. Drawing on research with leading Australian companies and venues - including Queensland Performing Arts Centre, Queensland Theatre, Sydney Theatre Company and Sydney Dance Company - as well as international case studies, the session shares insights into contemporary practice. With experience across independent theatre, commercial theatre and dance, the presenters offer practical strategies that translate to classroom contexts and student-led performance making.

Dr Kathryn Kelly is Company Dramaturg with Belloo Creative and has worked as a dramaturg since 2000, with over 50 theatre credits including Back to Bilo (2025), Boy Lost with Queensland Theatre (2022), Motherland (2016), Rovers (Brisbane Festival 2018; national tour 2020-21) and Hanako (Brisbane Festival 2016). Formerly CEO of Playlab Theatre, she is a Senior Lecturer in Drama at Queensland University of Technology.

Dr Shane Pike is a Senior Lecturer at the Queensland University of Technology. His current focus is emerging technologies such as Augmented Reality, creating experiences that also leverage Artificial Intelligence in creative processes that have mainstream commercial and clinical applications.

Dr Elizabeth Gibbs is a dancer, choreographer and dance scholar who leads QUT’s research with the Australian Research Council on digital performance. Previously, Elizabeth was a dancer with Australian Dance Theatre and Rambert London and Associate Artistic Director of Australian Dance Theatre.

3.6

Nuts and Bolts

From Rage to Stage: Teaching Contemporary Performance with Bite

QPAC Creative Learning Program, Sarah Ogden and Sarah McLeod, MO Theatre

Play with bold devising tools, punchy page-to-stage techniques, and creative provocations designed to help students create braver, smarter and more compelling work.

Expect writing sparks, physical storytelling, and a few deliciously irreverent strategies to unlock directorial clarity without the stress headache.

Perfect for Drama teachers seeking fresh ideas, a creative recharge, and permission to get messy, playful and brilliantly inventive again. Come for the skills stay for the spark.

QCAA Senior Drama Syllabus Links:

Unit 3: Challenge
Unit 4: Transform

12:05 – 1:35pm
(90 mins)

Session 4

4.1

Rocket Fuel (Primary)

What If?

Nicky Peelgrane and Kristy Crome

Lift off into new worlds! This practical workshop is designed for both beginning and experienced teachers alike. Nicky’s new book, What If? Plays for Middle Schoolers and Their Teachers, written with Dance teacher Kristy Crome (published by Playlab), contains six flexible plays for the Middle School classroom (Years 5-8), along with extensive practical teacher notes on putting on a show.

This workshop will be a source of inspiration for middle school teachers, helping them create and use a public performance not only as an assessment vehicle but also as a positive, inclusive, creative, educational and celebratory experience for their whole learning community.

Participants will workshop sections of script and devise short scenes. There will also be some theory covering elements of play building and pragmatic production elements such as timelines, admin and assessment.

Nicky Peelgrane is a Drama educator and writer. She has written and directed a suite of plays with Kristy Crome: What If? Plays for Middle Schoolers and their Teachers (Playlab, 2026). She co-authored Commedia Oz with Steve Gration (Currency Press 2008). She has also contributed to Drama Queensland’s book, Dramatic Encounters in 2020, and Commedia dell’Arte for the 21st Century (Routledge, 2022).

Kristy Crome is a Dance teacher with over 30 years’ experience in the Primary, Secondary and Tertiary sectors. Her first foray into writing has been to co-author What If? Plays for Middle Schoolers and their Teachers (Playlab, 2026), Nicky Peelgrane. Her speciality is creating show stopping finale dances and she is happy to share her secrets.

4.2

Launch Pad (Years 7-8 )

Rebooting Commedia

Rosa Campagnaro

Who invented the original ‘Bend and Snap’? Can you TikTok Commedia? Join Rosa Campagnaro for a fast-paced, hands-on workshop blending promotion and pedagogy. Building on Homemade Comedy, she introduces Commedia Rebooted, an accessible online platform featuring tutorials, lesson plans, rehearsal footage, and full-length shows.

Designed for educators, this resource revitalises Commedia dell’Arte through pop culture and contemporary themes. “Flip your classroom” by letting the platform teach foundational skills while you focus on practical application. Ideal for ensemble work, satire, and performance, it equips teachers to engage students, explore the zeitgeist, and develop critical thinking through humour.

Rosa Campagnaro is the founding Artistic Director of Make A Scene, an award‑winning theatre educator and NIDA‑trained director. Specialising in Commedia dell’Arte, she creates provocative, humorous works and delivers distinctive performance training across major arts organisations, shaping contemporary theatre through her inventive methodologies and internationally informed practice.

4.3

Blast Off (Years 9-10)

Lift, Laugh, Lead

Melissa Rowse, Rebecca Head and Michael Los

Lift, Laugh, Lead will physically engage participants in a Year 10 circus unit.

Attendees will leave with a unit of work including assessment tasks and an outline of how a Certificate 2 in volunteering can be interwoven into the unit. Discussion will reveal how Ferny Drama staff are pivoting to maintain numbers, advocate for Drama, whilst meeting the requirements of their school. This workshop is aimed for those who want to enrich their understanding of circus skills, develop community with external stakeholders through partnerships and excursions, as well as lifting community within our year 10 students. It is beneficial for all who want to lift their own spirits and ignite their determination to remain relevant and advocate for our students.

Michael Los is a child-centred practitioner whose passion, creativity and enthusiasm engage learners deeply.

Melissa Rowse values embodied learning and, as a proud public-school educator, uses a play-based approach to inspire curiosity, engagement and discovery.

4.4

Into the Cosmos (Senior Years)

Launching New Narratives

Amy Ingram and Renee Place

Explore Suzie Miller’s new play, Strong is the New Pretty, before its world premiere at Brisbane Festival 2026!

Strong is the New Pretty centres on the rise of the AFLW, an extraordinary story of collective effort, women lifting each other up, and systemic change. Participants in this workshop will be taken through a range of adaptable learning experiences and practical strategies to help students challenge dominant narratives, explore verbatim theatre conventions and respond critically and creatively to contemporary Australian Theatre.

Amy Ingram is a Brisbane-based performer and director with an extensive career across theatre, film and education. She is a co-founder of The Good Room, a Matilda Award winner and will lead Suzie Miller’s new work: Strong is the New Pretty.

Renee Place is an arts education consultant specialising in high-quality learning educational outcomes, connecting artistic and classroom practice. She has collaborated with QPAC, Sprung Dance Theatre and is currently working with Brisbane Festival.

4.5

New Horizons

Visual Theatre: Launching the Imagination

Helen Stephens

This practical skills-building workshop will give teachers a platform to help launch their student's imagination into wildly creative storytelling techniques and moving image generation. Participants will explore the manipulation of transformative props, simple technologies and the physical body to break open existing text and stage the unstageable.

Helen Stephens is Director of Youth and Engagement at Dead Puppet Society, working as a performer, director, consultant and lead facilitator of visual theatre and puppetry training. Her directing credits include Twelfth Night (St Joseph’s College Sydney), Girl Who Cried Wolf (Moreton Bay College), and Metamorphoses and The Secret Garden for Queensland Theatre’s Young Artist Program.

4.6

Nuts and Bolts

Permission to Play

Clint Bolster

This joyful, hands-on workshop explores the art of play through clowning as a pathway to authentic audience connection. Drawing on Clint Bolster’s 22 years of professional practice, including international tours of Slava’s Snow Show, the session demonstrates how humour, vulnerability, and simplicity create meaningful moments on stage. Designed for Drama educators, participants engage in accessible clowning and physical theatre exercises that emphasise listening, responsiveness, and generosity in performance. The workshop offers practical strategies for P-12 classrooms and invites teachers to rediscover the power of play as a transformative theatrical practice.

Clint Bolster is a Brisbane-based clown, physical actor, creative producer, and teaching artist with over 22 years’ experience. His original works tour across Australia, New Zealand, and Asia. Clint has toured 500+ schools and performed internationally, including with Slava’s Snow Show in Australia and Spain.

1:40 – 2:45pm

Lunch + Trade Displays

(2:00 – 2:30pm)

Lunch Session – Myth Busting by the Campfire: Drama Exam Tales and Teaching Tricks with QCAA

2:50 – 4:10pm
(80 mins)

Session 5

5.1

Rocket Fuel (Primary)

Lift OFF with MOON MOUSE to Find Friendship in Unexpected Places!

Dr Marthy Watson

This workshop invites participants into the imaginative world of Moon Mouse by Corrinne Averiss, exploring themes of friendship, courage, and connection. Through world‑building and character‑development activities, participants engage with a practical unit of work that strengthens visual literacy and supports creative interpretation of images and text in drama. Designed for primary teachers across Years 1–6, the workshop models how drama can enrich classroom learning and can be adapted for different year levels. Participants actively contribute to hands‑on activities and receive a complete unit of work to take home

Dr Marthy Watson is a lecturer in Curriculum and Pedagogy at the University of Southern Queensland. Her research centres on reflective practice through arts-based learning, arts integration, and learner engagement. She works closely with primary school teachers to support and empower them to innovate and transform the ways they teach the arts curriculum. Marthy is deeply committed to understanding children’s expressive learning and the impact of arts-based practices on creative and active engagement.

5.2

Launch Pad (Years 7-8 )

What If?

Nicky Peelgrane

5.3

Blast Off (Years 9-10)

Making Meaning with Circus

Robert Kronk and Jian Nie

Making Meaning with Circus is a hands-on PD for Years 9–10 Drama teachers, led by Flipside Circus facilitators Robert Kronk (CEO/Artistic Director) and Jian Nie (Head of Circus & Training).

Circus offers powerful, accessible ways for students to explore how meaning is made—especially students who find it difficult to engage with text-based approaches.

Learn strategies to help students use physical performance skills to communicate ideas, shape characters, and deepen understanding of the elements of drama. Learn safe, classroom-ready approaches for integrating circus-informed movement for performance-making. This workshop aligns with the Making strand of 9-10 Drama (AC9ADR10D01, AC9ADR10C01)

Robert Kronk is CEO/Artistic Director of Flipside Circus. He is a co-founder of debase productions and was Director of Programming and Director of Operations at Metro Arts until 2008. He is an award-winning playwright and has worked extensively as a director, performer, and producer. Robert has taught at QUT, USQ and CQU and delivered workshops and masterclasses for students and teachers around Australia.

Jian Nie is Head of Circus at Flipside Circus. He is an acclaimed acrobat and circus teacher with over 20 years of international experience. A handstand and acrobatics specialist, he has performed globally, won major festival awards, and appeared in the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games closing ceremony. As Flipside’s Head of Circus, he inspires emerging artists with creativity and safe progression.

5.4

Into the Cosmos (Senior Years)

What Comes Next? A Career LIFT‑OFF for your students!!

Daniel Kirkby
Backbone Youth Arts

This industry panel discussion empowers drama teachers to give students who are interested in ‘doing this professionally’ informed guidance, connect students with the right resources and support them in navigating the industry.

Representative from four major pathways - tertiary study, vocational education, industry experience/residencies, and alternate industry pathways such as writing, set design, or arts management- will share advantages, challenges, and real-world insights, giving delegates direct access to expert knowledge.

The panel will be followed by a Q&A, giving participants the opportunity to ask questions, explore specific scenarios, and gain guidance they can apply directly to their students’ next steps.

Daniel Kirkby is an actor, director, comedian, and musical theatre performer and the Artistic Director of Second Beat Productions, creating acclaimed comedy works including Thank God You’re Queer and Gutenberg! The Musical! With training in musical theatre and arts management, he champions joyful, provocative performance that celebrates identity, community, and human connection.

5.5

New Horizons

Lift and Shift: Can Drama Education be the Culture Shift the World Needs?

Krystal Knafl

Lift and Shift is a presentation encouraging key stakeholders within schooling contexts to reflect on the notion of ‘culture keeping’ and building effective Drama programs, with insight based on lived professional experiences. How can schools create programs which are safe, supportive and accessible, whilst also encouraging the opportunity for challenge to uplift a subject’s quality? It’s intended to then create opportunity for teachers to have some critical reflection and a ‘call to action’ around how they can make small shifts for bigger impact, ranging from adapting programs to how attitude and passion can help 'sell' a course to students.

Krystal Knafl has worked as a Drama Teacher for over a decade having taught and developed various arts programs. She recently completed her Master of Education majoring in student wellbeing and leadership. Additionally, Krystal has worked in HOD and QCAA spaces contributing to various initiatives, including syllabus writing and other projects.

5.6

Nuts and Bolts

The Chosen – A Playful Exploration of the Elements of Drama

Scott Andrews and Katrina Hasthrope

A closed walled in society ruled by The Chosen. No one goes in. No one goes out. As long as “the writing on the wall” is obeyed, life is peaceful. However, when some of the citizen begin to question the writings and ponder life beyond the wall, things are forced to change. In this playful process‑drama mini‑unit, students collectively explore the narrative while developing an embodied understanding of the Elements of Drama and key storytelling conventions. Participants will leave with a complete printed unit, including the full learning sequence and resources.

Scott Andrews is the current Drama Queensland President and HOD (Drama) and Director (Theatrical Productions) at Churchie. He is a QUT B.CI (Drama) and B.ED (Secondary) graduate with 20 years of teaching experience including Drama, English, and International Baccalaureate Theatre. He has worked extensively for QCAA and presented various PD workshops.

Katrina Hasthrope is a Drama Teacher and Second-In-Charge of the Arts at Brisbane State High School. Katrina is DQ Vice President - National Liaison. She is a tutor in the Education Faculty at Griffith University and is a QCAA Confirmer and External Marker. Katrina is a passionate advocate for Arts Education.

4:15 – 5:00pm

Session 6

Bloom 2025

Conference Program

Convenors Message - Lucy Harkin

President's Message - Scott Andrews

Day 1 Program - Friday 29 May 2026

Day 2 Program - Saturday 30 May 2026

Devising Theatre with Young People

Devised Challenges

Acting Between the Lines

Influences in Asia

Counting Down to the Future: A Practical Guide to Making Digital Performance and Digital Theatre

From Rage to Stage: Teaching Contemporary Performance with Bite

What If?

Rebooting Commedia

Lift, Laugh, Lead

Launching New Narratives

Visual Theatre: Launching the Imagination

Permission to Play

Lift OFF with MOON MOUSE to Find Friendship in Unexpected Places!

What If?

Making Meaning with Circus

What Comes Next? A Career LIFT‑OFF for your students!!

Lift and Shift: Can Drama Education be the Culture Shift the World Needs?

The Chosen – A Playful Exploration of the Elements of Drama

Close of Conference – Closing remarks

DRAMA QUEENSLAND