Contemporary Plays Season
26 October - 2 November

The 2012 Contemporary Play Season, presented by Acting Company 2012 and Production students, features two thought-provoking works. Compleat Female Stage Beauty written by Jeffrey Hatcher, directed by Tanya Gerstle, grabs a moment in theatrical history to wrestle with contemporary notions of identity, gender, authenticity and sexuality. A Bright Room Called Day written by Tony Kushner (Angels in America), directed by alumnus Tom Healey, is a political epic in Kushner’s total polemical style, based on Brecht's 1938 work The Private Life of the Master Race.

Book online »

Orchestra performs Mozart
Saturday 27 October

The University of Melbourne Orchestra performs two of Mozart’s most powerful works conducted by Roy Theaker in a free concert at the Melbourne Town Hall. His ever-popular Clarinet Concerto, made famous by the movie Out of Africa, featuring soloist Sungpil Lee, winner of the 2012 MCM Concerto Competition. Then prepare yourself for Mozart’s haunting Requiem, featuring the MCM Vocal Ensemble directed by Andrea Katz - this is possibly one of the most enigmatic pieces ever composed due to the controversies surrounding it exposed by the movie Amadeus. 

Concert details »

Cultural Missions: Public Talk
Tuesday 16 October

Are we being herded on to cultural missions in the 21st century?  The Wilin Centre makes its contribution to the national debate on Indigenous cultural practice through The Lin Onus Conversations by bringing leaders together from across society to benchmark current thinking and future directions. Join the conversation with guests Dr Anita Heiss, Jumbunna Indigenous House of Learning; Lois Peeler, Executive Director, Worawa Aboriginal College; Deborah Cheetham, Artistic Director, Short Black Opera, and Head of  Wilin Centre with moderator Daniel Browning, Presenter Awaye! ABC.

Free admission, book online »

Graduate Mentorships Program

VCA & MCM is pleased to launch the Graduate Mentorships Program, offering four one-year mentorships funded by the State Government for recent graduates who are making their way in the professional arts world. This is an exciting opportunity for VCA & MCM graduates to gain professional experience in their artform, for mentors to nurture emerging talent in their sector and for both to collaborate to develop a project with public outcomes. The total value of each mentorship is $25,000 and the Faculty will offer four mentorships per year between 2013 and 2015.

Closing date: 31 October 2012.

Find out more and apply »

Calling Music Theatre writers

The VCA is calling on Music Theatre writers to submit new works, which could be developed into a major stage hit.  Works selected will be put through a three-stage development process, supported by Arts Victoria, which will end with a “main stage” showcase.  Six works will be chosen initially by an industry selection panel and each will be given a $2000 Development and Mentoring Award. From the six works, three will move forward to a two-week workshop process. The final stage will see one, two or all three of the works share in a $30,000 award.

Closing date: 3 December 2012.

Overview and submission details »

Music Therapy Conference

The Melbourne Conservatorium of Music is celebrating over 30 years of Music Therapy at the University of Melbourne. This Symposium marks Professor Denise Grocke’s retirement at the end of 2012, as a pioneer of Music Therapy in Australia, and demonstrates her influence on the development of music therapy both locally and internationally. Guest speakers will present about their own research in the fields of Guided Imagery and Music and Mental Health as well as reflect on synergies with the themes that have been integral to Professor Grocke’s career.

19 - 21 October

Download the Symposium Program and register online »

Never did me any harm

Force Majeure and Sydney Dance Company, in association with Melbourne Festival, present Australian director and choreographer Kate Champion’s brave dance theatre piece, inspired by Christos Tsiolkas’s novel The Slap. Exploring the pressures of parenting within society, Champion has produced a compelling piece that captivates with its humour and moving sensitivity.

For your chance to win 1 of two double passes for Wed 10 October 7pm at MTC’s Sumner Theatre email vcamcm-enews@unimelb.edu.au

Season runs 9 – 13 October
Melbourne Festival »

The Sessions

From Australian filmmaker, Ben Lewin comes The Sessions, starring John Hawkes, William H. Macy and Helen Hunt. Based on the true story of California-based journalist and poet Mark O’Brien, played by Hawkes, O’Brien’s story is the poignant and surprisingly funny tale of a man, paralyzed by polio who - at age 38 – is determined to finally lose his virginity.

For your chance to win 1 of 10 double passes to a preview on Mon 5 Nov 7pm at Rivoli Cinemas email vcamcm-enews@unimelb.edu.au

Opens in cinemas 8 November
Watch THE SESSIONS trailer »

Dance Territories: Sense and Sensibility

Presented by Dancehouse and Melbourne Festival.  A sequence of four solo dances from Switzerland and Australia that explore the possibilities afforded by a minimalist choreographic language. Sparsely rendered, precisely performed, these performances are at once both commanding and graceful, decisive arguments in favour of a stripped-back gestural aesthetic.

For your chance to win 1 or two double passes to for Thurs 25 October 8pm email vcamcm-enews@unimelb.edu.au

Season runs 24 - 27 October
Melbourne Festival »