History and Culture of Amateur Theatre in Australia

History and Culture of Amateur Theatre in Australia History and Culture of Amateur Theatre in Australia History and Culture of Amateur Theatre in Australia


1970-2000




An Oral history project

Through the lens of artistic individualism this is a study of an artist's life experiences, style and personal vision as shown in the creative work featuring authenticity and originality over conformity to trends or societal expectations. 


The study aims to highlight the artist's values, creating something distinctly one's own, and fostering a deeper connection with others through a genuine and unique perspective. 


As Grele (2010) says oral history is about autobiographical practice rather than a social survey technique, for it recovers the past and through doing so challenges historical knowledge. It also expands the meaning of history. It is a shift from a concern with data to a concern with text.

Compiled from oral histories recorded in 2025 this study examines  the work of creative artists discussing  their lives making creative work on the margins of Australian theatre from 1970 to 2000. The study is an initiative off Robyn Roylance for her PHD submission. 

Learn more

Living Theatre participants

Madonna Stinson

A/Prof Madonna Stinson

A/Prof Madonna Stinson

A/Prof Madonna Stinson

International researcher, lecturer, director, writer, performer

Dr Kevin Franklin

A/Prof Madonna Stinson

A/Prof Madonna Stinson

Western Australian Psychodramatist, Trainer-Educator-Practitioner and Director of Training with the Perth Campus of Psychodrama Australia. 

David Salleh Warren

A/Prof Madonna Stinson

David Salleh Warren

Tasmanian community theatre performer.

Nicholas Leahy

Sharon Lee Martin

David Salleh Warren

Tasmanian community theatre director, educator  and school principal

Cameron Watt

Sharon Lee Martin

Sharon Lee Martin

Queensland pro-Am performer, public servant

Sharon Lee Martin

Sharon Lee Martin

Sharon Lee Martin

Queensland secondary teacher, writer, performer, singer.l

Mark Moore

Scott Tuffnell

Scott Tuffnell

Queensland, public servant, community performer, creative writer and novelist.

Scott Tuffnell

Scott Tuffnell

Scott Tuffnell

Tasmanian gamer, Star Trek enthusiast, community performer, a Christian and disability worker


Anne Roylance

Scott Tuffnell

Ian Christophis

Queensland secondary teacher, playwright, performer, musician

Ian Christophis

Ian Christophis

Ian Christophis

Queensland, business entrepreneur, computer scientist, student theatre actor

Leonie Oakes

Ian Christophis

Leonie Oakes

Tasmanian vsual artist, curator, TAFE teacher, International artist in paper making, museum curator.

Living Theatre Interviews

 Robyn and Madonna discuss working together in student theatre in the 1970s. At that time amateur theatre was an important part of teacher education and  part of the push for professional theatre funded by government. Madonna became A/Prof Madonna Stinson with Griffith University.   Robyn Roylance ran her own pro-am theatre company in Brisbane and Hobart. Through theatre each expressed their unique vision of personal creative work.


Between 1970 and 2000 Cameron's valued theatre work that focused on justice and compassion.  At the end of the twentieth century he acknowledged a sense of pessimism and disillusionment. 

Mark Moore talks about navigating challenges, exploring ways of self expression, and his unique voice. He examines his work in amateur theatre and discusses his participating in different mediums, subjects and ideas.

Deian Ping shares her joy of musica theatre, currently holidng the position of Artistic Director of Queensland Musical Society.Her discussion focuses on the role of producer and director, with a discussion of directing choices that highlight her interest in spirituality. 

Anne and Sharon from Piccolo Productions describe their interest in entertainment and music education for young people. Their entreprenurial vision has shaped  their work in musical theatre.

Scott Tuffnell talks about his enjoyment of theatre and provides examples of this. His movement into gaming is of interest.  

Video

Dr Kevin Franklin discusses his passion for working as a psychodramatist in Perth, Western Australia. 

Leonie Oakes is a visual artist who, from an early age, was drawn to the self-expression that the creative arts offered. She provides insight into working with artists of excellence and international tastes. 

Examples of theatre undertaken by Participants

A collaborative project by Robyn Roylance and Red Thread Stories, at the Queensland Theatre Company's Rehearsal Rooms, Brisbane

Musical Work by Anne Roylance and Sharonlee Martin

Hello

Process Drama and language

Find out more

Deian Ping and Queensland Musical Theatre 

Collection point

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