Brad Jennings and Steven Maxwell met working together as secondary teachers where they started to produce original work. Their first theatre collaboration was in 2001 they produced Blow Out, written and directed by Jennings, stage managed by Maxwell at the Cow Shed, James Cook University.
Since founding Markwell Presents in 2002 they have written and then produced 9 new plays for young people featuring Cinematic Theatre: the integration of live performance and the magic of the big screen. Markwell Presents have directed and produced 14 performance seasons of their own plays and have also worked with La Boite Theatre Co, Qld Theatre Co and Zen Zen Zo to design and integrate visual sequences for their main stage performances.
Brad and Steven coined the term Cinematic Theatre to describe the fusion of live performance and screen technology they wanted to create. The integrated use of projection during stage scenes and scene transitions allows the live action to become continuous, therefore creating a suspension of disbelief that engages the audience.
To teach our Cinematic Theatre style we have devised a comprehensive creative rationale so that educators and students can put into practise the conventions and elements that we utilise. Markwell Presents provide positive learning experiences for secondary students in drama, and film studies. We offer an extensive range of support services for drama and media teachers including professional development workshops, artist in residence programs, in class workshops, books and DVDs.
Markwell Presents have delivered over 80 Artist in Residence programs in schools and government arts projects, presented over 300 in class Workshops in schools and institutions, sold 1000+ script texts.
Introduction to Cinematic Theatre
This workshop is a presentation about the development of cinematic theatre and the practical use of media in the drama classroom. Markwell Presents specialise in producing Cinematic Theatre and we have developed a creative rationale that guides the way we incorporate media into our productions. The use of digital media in live performance has been a growing art that allows the creators to explore new ways of theatrical expression.
Through this workshop you will learn the practical theory that students can use to help them manage the drama elements to produce new work integrating visual media within a creative framework.
Cinematic Theatre Artists in Residence Programs
Our Artist in Residency programs are designed to cater for the needs of the teacher and work within the guidelines of the curriculum while delivering a quality performance outcome and positive learning experience for young people.
Our core strength is working with young people to create engaging Cinematic Theatre productions, the program includes the integration of projection technology into your live performance and we can assist with the facilitation of play building, direction, filming, video editing and technical production.
Secondary Stage 4 (Y7-8)
Secondary Stage 5 (Y9-10)
Secondary Stage 6 (Y11-12)
Brisbane,
Bundaberg,
Cairns,
Coffs Harbour,
Geelong,
Gladstone,
Gold Coast,
Hervey Bay,
Hobart,
Lismore,
Mackay,
Melbourne,
Newcastle,
Rockhampton,
Sydney,
Tamworth,
Thuringowa,
Toowoomba,
Townsville,
Tweed Heads,
Wollongong,