UQ Life

Backstage, creatives and industry

So much work goes into making theatre, whatever form it takes.

From creatives, to stage management, to ushers and box office staff, it truly is a case of teamwork makes the dream work. We've compiled these resources to provide you with more insight into some of the different roles that exist in the live theatre industry, as well as a special section on playwriting.

A Conversation on Theatrical Work in a Digital Moment

Staying creative in quarantine.

The American Theatre Wing held a recorded panel for their members to hear from other theatre practitioners across disciplines to discuss the challenges, highlights and solutions they have discovered while being in quarantine.

"We feel it is important to highlight the essence and spirit of what makes the theatre community resilient, all while convening in a digital space at least 6 feet apart"

Costume at the UK's National Theatre

Thanks to Google Arts & Culture you can learn all about the Costume Department, through a special tour of the National Theatre UK's very own department. The tour and guide provides you with insider knowledge about the workings of this very busy department and one of the world's leading theatres.

Explore it now 

Mental Health in the Arts

The Show Must Go On

Filmmaker and former actor Ben Steel embarks on a soul-searching journey that looks beyond the bright lights to explore mental health issues within the Australian entertainment industry.

Playwriting

Online playwriting workshop with Young Jean Lee

Korean-American playwright, director and filmmaker, Young Jean Lee presents this online playwriting workshop conducted via Zoom. The workshop was focuses on starting a new full-length play, to help give people something to do while social distancing and quarantining during the 2020 coronavirus epidemic.

Learn more about Young Jean Lee
This is how we do it
Five playwrights have interviewed five notable Australian playwrights and asked, “how do you do it?”. The conversations are revelatory.
Get the podcast
Playwriting toolkit
Free articles from Playwright's Centre to guide you through the nuts and bolts of playwriting and the theatre industry.
Get the toolkit
Create your own writing retreat
A retreat is when we get away from the stuff that’s getting in the way of writing. It’s an opportunity to slow down and open up to creative possibilities. When a pandemic is wreaking havoc on our lives, it may seem like a fantasy to go on a writing retreat. Yes, it’s a fantasy. If not now, when? Let’s get started.
Find out how

More resources

Scripts

Tour the world's amazing theatres

Google Arts & Culture have breathtaking
walkthroughs of some of the world's
most spectacular theatres, including
Australia's own Sydney Opera House.

 

Take a tour

Theatre creation

Making Muriel
This program gives audiences exclusive behind the scenes access as PJ Hogan adapts his iconic film, Muriel's Wedding into a stage musical for Sydney Theatre Company, 23 years after the film was a surprise box office hit.
Making Muriel
An intimate conversation with Stephen Schwartz
Wicked … Godspell … Pippin … To appreciate the songwriting brilliance of lyricist and composer Stephen Schwartz, one need only look up at some of Broadway’s most iconic marquees.
Stephen Schwartz in Conversation
Adapting Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night
Made in collaboration with the National Theatre, this one hour special examines how one of Britain's best loved books was turned into a multi award-winning theatre production.
Adapting Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night
Making War Horse
Making War Horse is the story of how Michael Morpurgo's children's novel became one of the most popular and acclaimed productions in the National Theatre's history. From its early development in the NT Studio, see how Handspring Puppet Company created the groundbreaking techniques that brought a lifelike horse to the stage.
Making War Horse
Working in the Theatre: Adaptation
In this episode of “Working in the Theatre,” we explore the process of adaptation in the theatre. With exploration of the amazing work of Kate Hamill and her adaptation of Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility at Bedlam in 2016, we find out what it takes to find a story for the stage, shape it appropriately, and decide what gets left behind.
Working in the Theatre: Adaptation
Shakespeare on Zoom
This article explores the concept of making theatre in the Digital environment, using a Zoom production of Shakespeare's The Tempest as an example.
Shakespeare on Zoom
Directing the New Play
There are specific challenges that come with the new play process that simply are not associated with established works. This article presents some tips on how to work with playwrights.
Directing the New Play
Opera Australia: Staging an opera
Ever wondered just how much work goes into an opera production? How does it all begin? Who does it involve? Delve into how resident company Opera Australia brings their productions to life, find out what it takes for the lavish sets, detailed costumes and historic score to come together in harmony to create the romantic world you see onstage.
Staging an Opera

Working in the Theatre