Southern Moreton Bay Islands adults and youth wanting to be involved in drama and performance will now have the opportunity.
Experienced drama teacher, Louise Barker, has established the Bay Islands Theatre Group as a way to engage and teach adults and young people in the performing arts.
Louise recently moved to Macleay Island from the northern New England town of Tenterfield, where she taught drama to local primary- and secondary-school students at the Tenterfield School of Arts and performed in the town’s annual Wintersong Festival concert.
She has extensive experience in television, radio and theatre, and has a life-long love of, and passion for, performance.
This background has sparked her motivation to teach speech and drama not only to Bay Islands youth but also to interested adults.
“I know how important teaching and encouraging young people in the performing arts is to small communities,” she said, “and how precious such opportunities are when compared to their availability in larger population areas.
“My greatest joy is using drama and theatre to bring out the inherent creativity in people, especially teenagers.
“I love seeing their growth in confidence and ability as they master performance techniques.”
Louise uses the dramatic technique of improvisation to help adults and children “think on their feet” and to overcome inhibitions and nervousness.
“All styles of stage performance are covered,” she said, “as well as learning to perform for film and television. I also work on technical aspects, such as diction and voice production.”
In 2013 Louise wrote the syllabus for the biennial Tenterfield Quota International Federation Eisteddfod and was the adjudicator for the Stanthorpe and Granite Belt District’s 2013 Eisteddfod.
She achieved her teaching letters through the London College of Music (Drama), whose director was William Lloyd Webber, father of renowned composer Andrew Lloyd Webber, and has taught in Wollongong, Armidale, Tenterfield and Brisbane.
Louise is expecting to establish classes for youth (ages 6 to 11, and 12 to 17) and for adults (18 and over).
People wanting to find out more about Louise’s classes can contact her on 0418 769 652.