2009: Expanding the audience

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Tags: Arts, drama, equity, summer-2010

Dr Caroline Heim, PhD

Amy Gilmore (front), Caroline Heim and Jai Higgs at the Brisbane Powerhouse

Caroline Heim may be a theatre expert, but she’s often more interested in observing what happens off the stage than on it.

Her latest project, Shadowlands, the intriguing story of C.S Lewis’s relationship with American poet Joy Davidman, challenged audiences to understand love and embrace life.

The show ran during July and August at the Brisbane Powerhouse.

To fully engage the audience and provide a theatrical experience for all, the play was interpreted in sign language and tactile tours were offered prior to each performance.

Dr Heim runs Crossbow Productions, the only theatre company in Queensland which offers this service and has been a great resource for Deaf Services Queensland.

While at UQ, Dr Heim focused her studies on the audience/stage relationship and the power of theatre to affect change in audiences.

She has also studied the new participatory role audiences have begun to play in the last century and their desire to be provided with more than just entertainment.

Dr Heim facilitated discussions after performances of The Miracle Worker: the story of Helen Keller, at the Brisbane Powerhouse in 2009.

The audience discussed how changes in the perception of people with disabilities needed to take place in society.

Dr Heim was the first person to complete a UQ PhD in performance and research.

After graduating, she was offered an associate lectureship position at QUT in performance studies.

“My time as a postgraduate researcher at UQ has laid the foundations for a successful career as an academic,” Dr Heim said.

Dr Heim said she hopes to grow Crossbow Productions, with a Sydney performance scheduled in 2011 and future international dates on the cards.

By Dania Lawrence

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