Mythic Storytelling Unit
Theatre Studies
This program of learning for Tertiary and Accredited Year 11 and 12 students in the ACT was a creative response to COVID 19 lockdowns and the 2019 Canberra fires. I was hoping to counteract the shock of these catastrophic events and growing sense of confusion and pervasive fear amongst our young people by re-awakening a groundedness and connection to land, animals and each other.
Background Information
This program of learning is informed by Miriam’s long-term intergenerational collaboration and apprenticeship with Craig San Roque; cultural psychologist, community arts-practitioner and poet-author of the Persephone Trilogy (2015-22). The Persephone trilogy includes site-specific community theatre events, film, radio drama, workshops and publications of which Miriam was co-author, creative producer and performer in the role of Persephone.
The mythic storytelling program of learning also presents opportunities to apply Aboriginal systems of knowledge as best practice in the classroom. Miriam spent nine years (2010-19) working with Senior Warlpiri ganrdmothers, mothers and their children, documenting the intergenerational transmission and teaching of Warlpiri cultural law through story at the Southern Ngaliya Dance Camps in Central Australia. Working and collaborating on The Persephone Trilogy is a deep experience of intergenerational learning within her own European cultural inheritance
Intergenerational and intercultural learning is a pillar to building a strong, healthy community and this practice is at the heart of this program of learning. Three generations were required to effectively deliver this program of learning; myself (35yrs old), Craig (80yr old) and the students (16/17yr olds). All who aprticpate in this dybnamic process bring their cultural lineage to the process and there are several opportunities for student to consider more carefully their connection to their cultural inhertiance. It became a three-way exchange where wisdom and innocence blended together in a most potent and enriching experience for the students, Miriam as a young artist and teacher and Craig, as a senior mentor.
Process
In this Theatre Studies unit, students explored site-specific theatre processes and the mythic storytelling genre, using the ancient Mediterranean agricultural myth of Persephone/Demeter and the pre-existing work of the Perspehone Trilogy. During one semester students prepared an outdoor production of Persephone’s Dog/Persephone’s Picnic in Eddison park, across the road from Canberra College.
In the beginning students wrote their own poetry bringing to life the natural world and their internal world. It uses the simple ‘I am, We Are’ poetic process where students speak as if they are a mountain, or acloud. See the video on mythic language. This was completed in 1 hr, both writing and presenting. Each student brought their unique style to the reading. Students were amazed at how connected they were to the text.
The process included exploration of intercultural resonance between indigenous forms of storytelling and ceremony. Students heard the songs of Warlpiri women singing seed and water jukurrpa (dreaming). They drew associations to the repetitive poetic text of the Persephone text, written by Craig San Roque. Students shared bits and pieces of their own cultural inheritance within their family lineage.
Then we spent 1 day travelling to a range of sites around Canberra where we told the story Persephone story and her journey into the underworld. An amphitheatre, a tunnel, a mountain. We had a picnic for lunch.
After this point, all rehearsals were held in Addison Park.
Due to ongoing poor weather, at the last minute we had to relocate our site-specific performance into the school theatre in just 4 days. We still had a picnic in the theatre with pomegranate juice and spanakopita! We still travelled without audience from the large theatre into the enclosed studio, when Persephone went into the underground.
We present a comprehensive suite designed to facilitate operational excellence and sustained growth.
We host engagements in cities selected for transport connectivity, market relevance, and cultural enrichment.
Each venue meets our rigorous standards for safety, technology, and environmental quality.
Solutions Engineered for Measurable Impact
We present a comprehensive suite designed to facilitate operational excellence and sustained growth.
Collective Excellence
-
![]()
Chief Executive Officer
Chief Executive Officer
We count on this visionary to define strategic priorities, allocate resources responsibly, and ensure every decision reinforces long-term value creation. -
![]()
Head of Operations
Head of Operations
We trust this leader to synchronize production, logistics, and support functions, cultivating dependable processes that uphold our service commitments. -
![]()
Lead Engineer
Lead Engineer
We depend on this engineer to transform conceptual requirements into robust technical solutions that integrate seamlessly with existing infrastructures. -
![]()
Client Services Manager
Client Services Manager
We empower this manager to maintain proactive client dialogue, demonstrating our accountability while anticipating emerging needs with tailored solutions.
