Ten Charles Sturt University theatre/media students will travel to La Paz in Bolivia next week to work on a two-week collaborative theatre project.

 

Mr Dan Aubin, lecturer in theatre/media at the CSU School of Communication and Creative Industries in Bathurst, will lead the work experience group.

 

“This international collaboration will be a transformative experience for these students that will affect their entire theatre/media cohort upon their return,” Mr Aubin said.

 

“We will be working with Bolivian theatre company Teatro Trono which was founded in 1989 to engage homeless and disadvantaged young people to empower them with skills and motivation by devising and presenting entertaining performances with a social message.

 

“The aim of our project is to explore ways of creating non-verbal physical theatre and in two weeks devise an original show for public presentation. I have been invited to be the director of this collaboration.

 

“We will also present workshops at an orphanage and in a young men’s prison, with the hope that we help to empower individuals to improve their circumstances.”

 

This pilot project was organised by Creative Corners, CSU Global and the theatre/media course lecturers.

 

“We hope it will become an annual opportunity for Charles Sturt University students because international field work is essential to develop global perspectives in our graduates as they take up leadership positions in the industry and become creators of culture,” he said.

 

Mr Aubin will also conduct research into creativity while in Bolivia.

 

The CSU theatre/media students depart on Monday 18 June and return on Sunday 1 July.