St Arnaud students will soon be able to immerse themselves into the world of professional performance thanks to a new state government scheme.
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St Arnaud resident Jacinda O'Sullivan is one of 37 creative workers who have begun their placement in 32 Victorian government schools this month as part of the Creative Workers in Schools program.
Ms O'Sullivan is with the school for a two-term placement, after she joined the arts teaching team at St Arnaud Secondary College in early February.
She said she is excited to help teach the students about the performing arts industry and help give them the opportunity to present a live performance to the town.
"I have done a lot of theatre making in my career, and the opportunity to create this in St Arnaud, my local town, is really good," she said.
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"Since I moved here I have found there are not many opportunities to do that kind of work, but I am pretty excited to be able to get back into making art."
"The art teacher at St Arnaud Secondary and I did some work in 2019 with the Art Is Festival in Horsham, and this is a way to extend that theatre making.
"We have more time, we have more resources and we will be able to present something to the local community instead of having to go back to Horsham.
As part of her placement, Ms O'Sullivan is working with the school and their students to help produce a live theatre performance for the town.
"I am going to help provide the kids with the opportunities to use some new technologies, using sound and video recording.
"It also gives them the opportunity to tell their own stories. People consider art to be working from a script or something, but it about telling our own stories.
"I want the kids to experience drama and to learn about the performing arts sector because it is a big part of society and there is lots of jobs and roles you can have."
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Ms O'Sullivan has worked in the performing arts industry for more than 15 years with roles ranging from working in Melbourne with Sonic Boom where she toured remote indigenous communities with live theatre to working with some theatre groups in Horsham.
The Creative Workers in Schools program is delivered by Regional Arts Victoria in partnership with Department of Education and Training and Creative Victoria through the support of the Victorian Government's Working for Victoria initiative, which is providing the opportunity for 150 creative industry workers to undertake a six-month residency in Victorian government schools, including special schools.
Regional Arts Victoria Creative Workers in Schools Statewide Program Manager Dave Rogers said the diversity and reach of the first stream of projects was inspiring.
"It's a real thrill to see such innovative and experienced creative workers starting to head into schools to share their craft, talent and enthusiasm," he said.
"The teachers that we are talking to are already telling us how excited they are to host the creative workers in their school and that there is a palpable buzz amongst the students.
"We're looking forward to seeing these exciting and no doubt surprising creative projects come to life."
Expressions of Interest for Stream Two of the program, for placements beginning Term 2, 2021, are now open and close 5pm, Monday 22 February.
For more information, please visit rav.net.au/creative-workers-in-schools
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