Acclaimed actor to run workshops for UQ drama students

Internationally-acclaimed actor and newly-appointed adjunct professor in the English Department Bille Brown will run workshops for drama students at The University of Queensland from March 27-31.

Professor Brown, a UQ graduate, has worked in Australia, the US and the UK, including with the Royal Shakespeare Company. Most recently he performed the role of Oscar Wilde in the David Hare play, The Judas Kiss, in addition to numerous television and movie roles.

During his visit, he will talk with UQ students about the acting profession, voice training, and other performance issues.

Drama Area convenor Dr Joanne Tompkins said the visit presented a rare opportunity for students to learn from an actor of Professor Brown's calibre.

"We hope that he will share his impressive knowledge of the performing arts world and how one might go about breaking into it, as well as sharing his experiences of working with many eminent actors and directors, nationally and internationally," she said.

"We expect he will offer his perspectives on different interpretations of the many types of plays, movies and television he has worked on. This is important for our type of teaching, where we teach different possibilities in interpretation rather than ?how to act'.

"We hope he will be able to suggest different ways for students to learn. He mentioned that he hoped to communicate the importance of reading widely. Of course we do this too, but I hope students will learn that it takes a high degree of literary intelligence to be a good actor - not just looks, talent or luck."

Professor Brown will give an informal talk about getting into the acting profession on Tuesday, March 28, 1pm-3pm. He will conduct a three-part workshop on verse speaking (using as examples Shakespeare's Richard II, As You Like It, and Twelfth Night) from 2pm-3.30pm on Monday, March 27; Wednesday, March 29; and Friday, March 30.

Professor Brown will also speak to modern drama students on Wednesday, March 29 (7.30pm-8.30pm) and to the English Department's Cracka Theatre company.

For more information contact Dr Joanne Tompkins (telephone 3365 1435 or email j.tompkins@mailbox.uq.edu.au).