Performance Maker Teaching Artist, Community Organiser, Mentor, Mother
Michelle Hall
I am a performance maker who creates in collaboration with young people, artists and community to make transformative theatre through ensemble, devising processes.
Underpinning my work is a commitment to high quality arts experiences for young people and the belief that the arts must foster social and personal change for all.
Experience
Writing, Directing and Performing Credits
The Dirty Mother
(2018-2022)
An autobiographical, taboo-busting, post-natal descent story that follows one woman through pregnancy, childbirth and into the confounding world of motherhood(s). Summer Nights, The Blue Room Theatre. Nominated Best Actor, Performing Arts Awards WA, shortlisted for the Tour Ready Award 2020, Nominated for Best Theatre Award 2020.
Adventures in the Creature Garden
(2018)
An immersive theatre, creative development for very young children exploring the transition to structured schooling through play and dramatization. Produced and supported by Barking Gecko Theatre (AUS)
Shadow of a Doubt
(2016)
A reimagining of Hitchcock’s film as interpreted by Year 11 Drama students, exploring themes of victimisation and the power of seeing. Performed at the Fright Night season at John Curtin College of the Arts (AUS)
The Land that Disappeared
(2009)
An original comedy about climate change and daft world leaders. Created in collaboration with Peepolykus and Pegasus Young Theatre Company who toured the show to University of Warwick Drama Festival (UK) and CREAC International Youth Theatre Festival, Grenoble (FRA), 2009
Journeys to Freedom by Mojisola Adebuyo (RSC)
(2008)
An epic Black History cycle commemorating the 200th year anniversary of the abolition of the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade. Created in collaboration with the Afro Caribbean Kultural Heritage Initiative, Jeannefer Jean-Charles (Big Dance UK) and Oxford Youth Theatre for Black History Month at Pegasus Theatre, UK
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight (a green tale)
(2008)
A reimagining of the Arthurian tale for young people facing a climate crisis. With Oxford Youth Theatre for Jamboree Youth Arts Festival, UK
Carved Stories
(2007)
A weeklong cultural exchange program between young people from the OX4 Oxford area and young people from Ramallah, Palestine who are seeking refuge. Through shared dance, music and devising a performance the group explored themes of ‘history and belonging’ Oxford Youth Theatre and the Ramallah Group (Palestine), Pegasus Theatre, UK.
Street Theatre Weeks
(2007)
A street theatre festival created with Electric Cabaret and the Pegasus Summer Theatre Weeks ensembles. Learning the skills of physical theatre and clown, Young people devised short, comedy-crime-mimes in the style of silent movies. Performed live across the Oxford City Tourist Trail, UK.
The Pirate, the Potato and the Camel…not forgetting the Parrot
(2007)
Written and directed in collaboration with National Poetry Prize winner Simon Rae, for Edinburgh Fringe Festival. **** The Stage
The Lorax by Dr Seuss
(2005)
A collaborative, intergenerational and musical reimagining of Dr Seuss’ cautionary tale about the consequences of greed. Made with a massive cast of over 100 children and families from Oxford Youth Theatre, Dug Out Intergenerational Theatre and the Oxford Improvisers music society at Pegasus Theatre, UK.
Discontented Winter by Bryony Lavery
(2004)
A Connections National Theatre project with Oxford Youth Theatre exploring themes of class and race in a contemporary re-mix of Shakespeare’s original text. Performed at Theatre Royal, Watford and the National Youth Theatre Festival, Southbank UK.
Breastroke by Handzon Theatre
(2003)
A Connections National Theatre project with Oxford A play about breast cancer as told by women from different life stages. I was Movement Director for Handzon Theatre’s run at the Rechabites Hall (WA) and the Magdalena Women’s Festival (QLD)
Cutting Urge by Storydoor Physical Theatre
(2001)
A devised work about the ties that bind mothers and daughters. Collaborator/performer, The Blue Room (WA)
Live Art and Cultural Development:
Facilitator ~ Mothers Who Make Perth Hub
I coordinate an online and face-to-face hub for mother artists and advocate for greater inclusion and opportunity for all mothers in the arts and culture with an aim to bring diverse and contemporary iterations of motherhood(s) to the cultural narrative.
Mentor/dramaturg ~ Migration of Me: why here, why now?Community Arts Network ~ Dream Plan Do program
(2021)
Teaching workshop planning skills, devising processes, storyboarding, directing and production support for Colombian artists Lab Crea. Lab Crea is a ‘social clown’ project, that values the lived experiences of the LatinX community and shares their knowledge and stories with the wider world through play and humour.
Mothers of Invention: Occupy!
(2019)
An occupation event and welcoming forum where artist-caregivers were invited take up space in an adult centred venue with those in their care. The forum was a space to come together to discuss the barriers to participation that make it hard for caregivers to access the arts and culture and/or maintain their careers in the arts once they have dependents. The facilitated forum culminated in the Motherfesto: Rights, Access and Inclusion for all Mothers in the arts and culture which aims to create understanding around the strengths of caregivers in the arts while dissolving the motherhood penalty that see mothers overlooked for promotion and opportunity.end to the Motherhood Penalty in the arts and cultural industries.
Artist Facilitator ~ The Giants, Perth International Arts Festival
(2014)
A primary education program exploring heritage and identity through drama workshops and storybook illustrating. Co-led with James Foley and Royal de Luxe (FRA).
Director ~ Street Theatre Weeks
(2006-2011)
An annual street theatre making intensive for young people culminating in performances on Oxford’s famous Cornmarket tourist trail. Written and directed in collaboration written with Electric Cabaret, UK
Creative Learning and Education
Senior Teaching Artist, Barking Gecko Theatre
(2016-2022)
- Teaching performance, devising skills and directing youth ensemble performances
- Working with the AD and CEO to reform the Creative Learning program in keeping with contemporary, inclusive youth arts practises.
- Delivering the School Drama outreach program and leading training workshops for Gecko Ensemble tutors
Teaching Artist ~ Spare Parts Puppet Theatre
(2015-2019)
Leading puppetry and performance workshops for young people at the School of Puppetry. Developing new schemes of work for SPPT’s education program.
Education Manager
(2012-2016)
Sculpture by the Sea, WA.
Co-Director/facilitator ~ Secrets
(2011)
A primary age PSHE (personal, social, health education) program examining ‘addictive behaviours’ through writing and performance processes. Produced with Oxford Education Authority and WhatMatters Theatre for the Didcot Schools Partnership, UK.
Writer/Performer ~ Play the World
(2010-2013)
A puppetry and theatre-arts–play program for early learners and their families. Fremantle Children’s Fiesta, City of Joondalup Leisure Centres (WA), Pegasus Theatre and Florence Park Family Centre (UK).
Tutor-Director and Arts Award Supervisor
(2003-2011)
Oxford Youth Theatre and Pegasus Young Theatre Company.
Youth Arts Team Leader: Young people, Schools and Families
(2007-2010)
Pegasus Theatre, Oxford UK.
Performance Studies Tutor (Dance/Drama)
(2003-2007)
Oxford City A-Level Consortium, UK.
Director/facilitator ~ Walking on Eggshells
(2007-2008)
A touring theatre program for young people, exploring the issues around Family Separation. Commissioned by Oxfordshire Family Mediation Services and Children in Need, UK.
Director/facilitator ~ Scarlett Ribbons
(2007-2008)
An intergenerational theatre project about loneliness that brought together elders and young people to workshop themes of social isolation through theatre workshops. Created in partnership with Oxfordshire Touring Theatre Company, Pegasus Young Company, Agewell Arts, Oxford Community High School and Iffley Aged Care residents.
Chief Ambassador, Parent Artist Advocacy League, (US)
Select Relevant Training
Visual Dramaturgy weekend intensive,
The Rabble, Melbourne 2020
Red Nose Clown 30 day intensive
With Giovanni Fusetti, Melbourne 2018
Action Theatre, 5 day intensive
Danielle Cresp, Melbourne 2018
Politics of the Fool and Bouffon 14 day intensive
With Giovanni Fusetti, Melbourne 2017
Object Theatre 14 day intensive, With Cariad Astles, Head of Puppetry at Central School of Speech and Drama, London 2017
Post Dramatic Theatre 5 day intensive
With the Daniel Schlusser Ensemble, Melbourne 2017
Movement for Puppeteering, 5 day Intensive
Handspring Theatre (War Horse Company), Barbican, London 2011
‘Rainbow of Desires’ and ‘Cop in the Head’ 5 day Intensive
Augusto Boal, Adrian Jackson and Cardboard Citizens, London, 2009
Choreographic Theatre, 5 day Intensive
Pan Theatre, France, 2006
Physical Theatre Workshop
Laban Summer School, 4 weeks, London, 2004
Inclusive Mixed Ability Theatre, 5 day intensive
Wolfgang Stange, Amici Theatre London, 2001
Tertiary Education
-MA Theatre, Victorian College of the Arts, University of Melbourne, 2021
-BA Drama Studies, Edith Cowan University and WAAPA 1997-2000
-Graduate Diploma of Education (Drama and English), Edith Cowan University 2001
-Level 1 Yoga Teacher Training, Registered teacher with Yoga Australia
Referees
Yasmin Sidhwa,
Artistic Director, Mandala Theatre Company, UK
M: (0011 +44) 7796390160
E: mandalatheatrecompany@
Helen Hristofski,
CEO | Producer | Founder | Advocate
Arts Leader, Young People’s Theatre
M: 6212 9399
E: helen.hristofski@barkinggecko.com.au
The Dirty Mother 