The Aside Podcast

The Aside Podcasts are a free resource supported by Drama Victoria – Australia’s oldest Drama Association In this episode of The Aside, we talk with actor/writer/comedian Greg Larsen about his process as a writer of bold, symbolic and meta-theatrical comedy. We discuss a range of his works, his influences and how he has developed such a unique and accessible form of meaningful comedy. Greg Larsen writes adult comedy, and much of his online content is not appropriate for children. He is an incredible artist, but viewer discretion is advised. More about Greg Larsen: https://linktr.ee/greglarsencomedian https://libertyartistmgt.com.au/actor/greg-larsen/

The Aside Podcasts are a free resource supported by Drama Victoria – Australia’s oldest Drama Association In this episode of The Aside, we talk with actor/playwright Brodie Murray and director Beng Oh about their upcoming production of Soul of Possum, opening soon at fortyfivedownstairs. Soul of Possum 2025 season - Thursday 4 – Sunday 14 December Tickets here: https://fortyfivedownstairs.com/event/soul-of-possum/ Brodie is an award-winning First Nations playwright whose acclaimed works continue to influence the national theatre landscape. Beng is a critically regarded director and theatre-maker known for championing diversity, new work, and queer theatre/

Drama as a Tool for Climate Justice Education In this episode, host Kelly McConville speaks with three educators using Drama to teach climate justice and sustainability across early years to secondary classrooms. Guests: • Katherine Zachest (St Leonard’s College) introduces Frog in a Pond, a playful early learning unit exploring sustainability. • Darcie Kane-Priestly (Ruyton Girls’ School) shares how she integrates climate themes into senior Drama work. • Nick Mawson (Northern Bay College, Deakin University) discusses building student agency and empathy through performance. This episode explores creative, practical ways to engage students in climate action through embodied learning. Resources • Time to Act Curriculum Resources: https://regeneratingfutures.deakin.edu.au/time-to-act/curriculum/

The Aside Podcasts are a free resource supported by Drama Victoria - Australia’s oldest Drama Association In this episode of The Aside, is a spotlight on one of Australia’s most accomplished theatre makers — Terence Clarke AM. Composer, director, educator, and performer, Terence has shaped the sound and story of Australian theatre for decades. Excerpts from the musical The Venetian Twins, written by the late award winning and honoured playwright Nick Enright, with music by Terence Clarke appear on the 2025 VCE Theatre Studies monologue list. In this episode we discuss The Venetian Twins, learn about it's history and explore its themes.

The Aside Podcasts are a free resource supported by Drama Victoria - Australia’s oldest Drama Association In this episode of The Aside, we talk with Alana Valentine — playwright, director, and librettist known for turning real-life stories into powerful theatre. Sections of her 2008 play Watermark appear on the 2025 VCE Theatre Studies monologue list. We discuss the play, it's development and we dive into design possibilities as well. Her book Bowerbird also includes insights into the development of Watermark and can be purchased here: https://www.currency.com.au/books/auto-biography/bowerbird-the-art-of-making-theatre-drawn-from-life/

The Aside Podcasts are a free resource supported by Drama Victoria - Australia’s oldest Drama Association In this episode of The Aside, we discuss Audience Culture. What the VCAA says it is, and we provide some examples of how you might think about it and apply in in the work you make and analyse. For the VCE implementation videos click below https://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/professional-learning-programs/vce/vce-theatre-studies Below is from the VCE Study Design 2025-2029 Audience and audience culture Theatre as an art form is constructed and created for an audience of one or more spectators. In this study, students are both artists and audiences. As artists, they learn about the importance of audience, audience and performance spaces, audience and intended meaning, and the effect of their work on an audience. As audiences, they attend professional theatre for the purposes of analysis and evaluation. Audience culture refers to the attitudes, beliefs, values and behaviours of a particular group of people who engage with theatre performances. In this study, audience culture pertains to an intended audience and may be directly related to or informed by the historical, political, social and cultural contexts in which a script was written. Audience culture is also related to theatre styles, conventions and movements. Historical plays written for audiences of their time can offer new insights or meanings when performed to contemporary audiences. Contemporary theatre practices offer new insights into the role of an audience, for example a contemporary performance of a Shakespearean play or an immersive performance. Please feel free to email asidepodcast@outlook.com to ask a question. We will try and answer on a future podcast

In the first episode of Time to Act, host Kelly McConville — Executive Officer of Drama Victoria and PhD candidate at the University of Melbourne — explores how education can be a powerful force for climate justice and sustainability. Kelly is joined by Dr. Jo Raphael and Dr. Peta White, Associate Professors at Deakin University, who share how blending drama and science helps students engage with complex environmental issues. They unpack the difference between sustainability and climate change education, and explain why cross-curricular, action-based learning is key. Hear how drama can support students dealing with climate anxiety and empower them to imagine more hopeful futures. 🕒 Timestamps: 00:31 – Meet Dr. Jo Raphael and Dr. Peta White 01:57 – Drama’s role in climate education 04:14 – Climate justice and pedagogy 08:08 – Interdisciplinary drama strategies 11:53 – Teaching collaboratively for action 16:38 – Systems thinking and imagining futures 🌱 Time to Act is where education meets climate action — creatively.

Welcome to Time to Act, the podcast that empowers educators to bring climate justice and sustainability into the classroom through drama. Brought to you by Drama Victoria and Deakin University’s Regenerating Futures program, this series explores creative, hands-on strategies to engage students and spark real-world change. Short, practical, and powerful — it's time to act. Want to become part of the Time to Act movement? Attend one of our upcoming workshops! Frankston Arts Centre workshop Saturday May 3rd, 10am - 4pm. To find out more and register, head to: https://artscentre.frankston.vic.gov.au/Whats-On/Classes-and-Workshops/TIME-TO-ACT-A-Transformative-Approach-to-Teaching-Climate-Justice-and-Sustainability Bendigo workshop Friday 23rd May, 10am - 4pm. To find out more and register, head to: https://www.dramavictoria.vic.edu.au/eventdetails/30283/time-to-act-a-transformative-approach-to-teaching-climate-justice-and-sustainability-bendigo

The Aside Podcasts are a free resource supported by Drama Victoria - Australia’s oldest Drama Association In this episode of The Aside, we talk with Leo Gene Peters, director of Jekyll & Hyde, touring Melbourne venues in 2025. This interview focuses on how Jekyll & Hyde relates to the VCE Theatre Studies curriculum. Link to tickets https://chapeloffchapel.com.au/show/jekyll-hyde/ Link to the Trojan War interview https://soundcloud.com/asidepodcast/the-aside-the-trojan-war-vce-playlist-interview-with-director-leo-gene-peters Please feel free to email asidepodcast@outlook.com to ask a question. We will try and answer on a future podcast

The Aside Podcasts are a free resource supported by Drama Victoria - Australia’s oldest Drama Association In this episode of The Aside, we talk with Jackson Peele, writer/director of The Beep Test playing at Theatre Works in April/May 2025. Book early to avoid missing out! This interview focuses on how The Beep Test relates to the VCE Drama curriculum. Link to tickets https://www.theatreworks.org.au/2025/the-beep-test Please feel free to email asidepodcast@outlook.com to ask a question. We will try and answer on a future podcast

The Aside Podcasts are a free resource supported by Drama Victoria - Australia’s oldest Drama Association In this episode of The Aside, we talk with Helen Stephens, Head of Youth and Engagement at Dead Puppet Society. Dead Puppet Society is running a teacher workshop/masterclass coinciding with the Australian premier of Peter and The Starcatcher. Book early to avoid missing out! Book for the masterclass - email below info@deadpuppetsociety.com.au Book (Hook) for the show https://peterandthestarcatcher.com.au/ Find out more about Dead Puppet Society https://www.deadpuppetsociety.com.au/peter-and-the-starcatcher Please feel free to email asidepodcast@outlook.com to ask a question. We will try and answer on a future podcast

The Aside Podcasts are a free resource supported by Drama Victoria - Australia’s oldest Drama Association This episode of The Aside is dedicated to an interview with Sam Mackie, one of more than 50 interviews with 50+ Legends of Victorian Drama teaching. Please feel free to email asidepodcast@outlook.com to ask a question. We will try answer on a future podcast.

The Aside Podcasts are a free resource supported by Drama Victoria - Australia’s oldest Drama Association This episode of The Aside is dedicated to an interview with Justin Cash, one of more than 50 interviews with 50+ Legends of Victorian Drama teaching. Please feel free to email asidepodcast@outlook.com to ask a question. We will try answer on a future podcast.

The Aside Podcasts are a free resource supported by Drama Victoria - Australia’s oldest Drama Association This episode of The Aside is dedicated to an interview with Mandy Ellison, one of more than 50 interviews with 50+ Legends of Victorian Drama teaching. Please feel free to email asidepodcast@outlook.com to ask a question. We will try answer on a future podcast.

The Aside Podcasts are a free resource supported by Drama Victoria - Australia’s oldest Drama Association This episode of The Aside is dedicated to an interview with Stephen Looker, one of more than 50 interviews with 50+ Legends of Victorian Drama teaching. Please feel free to email asidepodcast@outlook.com to ask a question. We will try answer on a future podcast.

The Aside Podcasts are a free resource supported by Drama Victoria - Australia’s oldest Drama Association This episode of The Aside is dedicated to an interview with Lorna Mcleod, one of more than 50 interviews with 50+ Legends of Victorian Drama teaching. Please feel free to email asidepodcast@outlook.com to ask a question. We will try answer on a future podcast.

The Aside Podcasts are a free resource supported by Drama Victoria - Australia’s oldest Drama Association This episode of The Aside is dedicated to an interview with Lorna Mcleod, one of more than 50 interviews with 50+ Legends of Victorian Drama teaching. Please feel free to email asidepodcast@outlook.com to ask a question. We will try answer on a future podcast.

The Aside Podcasts are a free resource supported by Drama Victoria - Australia’s oldest Drama Association This episode of The Aside is dedicated to an interview with Judy Taylor, one of more than 50 interviews with 50+ Legends of Victorian Drama teaching. Please feel free to email asidepodcast@outlook.com to ask a question. We will try answer on a future podcast.

The Aside Podcasts are a free resource supported by Drama Victoria - Australia’s oldest Drama Association In this episode of The Aside we provide a bunch of activities for integrating a little fun competition into the drama room. If you want to celebrate the Olympics in the drama room why not try these pun-tastic examples and maybe come up with your own! List of Games: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QORvPTH_TdRVKRhMOznIXMmSy3euHTn6/view?usp=sharing Please feel free to email asidepodcast@outlook.com to ask a question. We will try and answer on a future podcast.

The Aside Podcasts are a free resource supported by Drama Victoria - Australia’s oldest Drama Association In this episode of The Aside, we are joined by Brendan Carroll from the VCE Theatre Studies and VCE Drama Network as we discuss the 2024 VCE Theatre Studies monologues. We chat through each of the monologues as we head into exam time and discuss opportunities and challenges for each. Link to the 2024 'Monologues at a Glance' document with some basic information on each play and monologue - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QRNbtfx39I6L6qxycFXmVtXQS50rX8cn/view?usp=sharing Please feel free to email asidepodcast@outlook.com to ask a question. We will try and answer on a future podcast.