St Joseph's Nudgee College

May 10, 2010

Year 10 Drama students received some expert advice recently when Indigenous theatre practitioner and actor Mark Sheppard ran a workshop at St Joseph’s Nudgee College.

The interactive workshop saw students learn the finer points of performing common Indigenous animals such as kangaroos and snakes as well as elements of performance and drama in general.

“The Indigenous Drama unit is a new unit that I am putting together this year for Year 10 Drama students,” teacher Mr Scott Minogue said.

“The week prior to the workshop, Yvonne O'Neill (Indigenous Liaison Officer) and a couple of Year 8 Indigenous students spoke to the Year 10s about their home community. Uncle Joe (a local elder) also came in and the students will participate in an Indigenous dance workshop next Friday,” he said.

Mark Sheppard is an Indigenous actor, comedian, businessman and teacher who has travelled around Australia with various performance companies. His one man show, Chasing the Lollyman, is an autobiographical look at Mark’s life.

“The show looks at what my life was like growing up in Mareeba and challenges the concept of Aboriginal theatre and ideas people have about it,” Mr Sheppard said.

“Chasing the Lollyman is a celebration through comedy of the perceptions people have regarding what it is to be an Aboriginal in Australia, as well about my life as a true aboriginal. It is also about finding a common Australian culture rather than two cultures.”

Mr Sheppard is a graduate of the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) and likes the “control” performing his show allows.

“I feel I am on my own personal journey. I don’t have an agent because I am a control freak who likes doing all aspects of the business myself. It gives me hands on experience and I get to perform on stage, which I love to do, and tell a good story.”

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