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  5. Stage Adaptation Of ROOM

Stage Adaptation Of ROOM

Invitation For Staff To Engage:

In 2014, there is a plan to undertake a substantial cross-disciplinary teaching, learning and research project built around a theatrical adaptation of the UC Book of the Year, Room by Emma Donoghue. This presents numerous potential opportunities for engagement of both staff and students.

For example, ways are being investigated to link the new common first year unit “Becoming a Professional” with the play, with, say, psychology students exploring the kinds of professional interventions that could usefully be applied to the book’s characters to address the various mental health and social welfare stresses in which they find themselves. The outcomes of such student considerations would provide useful background material for the production team, and might be presented in a form that could make a foyer display during the show.

Dr Peter Copeman from the Teaching and Learning Centre/Academic Skills Centre is leading the adaptation project, and is also involved with the Common First Year Unit (CFYU).

Other ideas already under consideration for engaging with the project from a teaching and learning perspective include exploring the creative writing challenges of the adaptation and the design requirements of the play - sets, costumes, lighting, and sound, and also the design and construction of a life-size puppet to play the five-year-old boy Jack. Media students could provide the television segments for the play, as well as record the live performance for streaming to our APN partner institutions. There’s also a proposal to host a research symposium on Adaptation in Creative Writing in conjunction with the play’s performance season, with invited papers to form a special edition of an appropriate journal.

Undoubtedly there could be many other ways in which students and staff could engage with this project. Human Movement students might become involved in the operation of the puppet. Students in appropriate disciplines could be asked to consider the legal, forensic, linguistic, educational, media and physical health issues arising from the story, the economics and power structures of the character relationships, and to present their findings in ways that complement the production. Students might also be able to become involved in the management, marketing, promotion and documentation of the project as a whole and the performance event in particular.

I invite you to consider how you might be able to embed some engagement with Room and its stage adaptation in your own units and courses – with an emphasis on first-year units as it is first-year students who receive the book – and in the plans of your research groups (if appropriate).

The project timeline currently under consideration is:

  • Semester 1 (2014) - Writing, planning and pre-production
  • Winter Term (2014) - Rehearsals and production preparation
  • Semester 2 (2014) - The play is presented for a two-week season, in the first half of Semester 2.

I am sure this will create a memorable university experience for all who work on it. I encourage you to get involved.

Contact:

Please contact Dr Peter Copeman as soon as possible with any ideas you might have for engagement or for any further information.

Phone: 6201 2166

Email: Peter.Copeman@canberra.edu.au