An Examination of the Accessibility, Transferability, and Significance of Brisbane Junior Theatre’s Intensive-Immersive “One-Week” Production and Training Models.
Principal Supervisor: Dr Robert Lewis
Co-Supervisor: Dr Soseh Yekanians
My study aims to develop a comprehensive and effective model for "Mainstream Youth Theatre" in Australia, drawing from the successful approach of Brisbane Junior Theatre. The study will be conducted by positioning myself as an expert in the field, using my experience as a practitioner and researcher.
To start, the study will examine the history of youth theatre and analyse successful trends. It will then delve into the 24-year history of Brisbane Junior Theatre, focusing on their one-hundred and fourth successful one-week productions to determine the key factors contributing to their unique and successful approach.
The overall proposed impact and outcome of my study and project is to establish and eventually implement BJT's intensive-immersive one-week production model. This model could be adopted in its entirety or in part and would impact a broader spectrum of youth theatre organizations in Australia. The goal is to better prepare young performers by providing them with more and higher-quality training and performance opportunities. This will ultimately help young actors to succeed in real-world theatre careers beyond youth theatre.
In 2018 I heard about the AUSACT conference and attended in Wagga Wagga. I presented a paper which was published in CSU’s Fusion Journal and gave a presentation on my uniquely Australian youth theatre production process. The following year I attended AUSACT in Brisbane, and gave a presentation and followed up my previous Fusion Journal article with a new article based on Brisbane Junior Theatres unique AMAS method actor training technique developed exclusively for young performers. I gave another presentation in 2020 on how Covid 19 has impacted youth theatre in Australia. These connections built a relationship and established trust and momentum that inspired me to apply for candidacy as PhD student under Dr. Robert Lewis’ and Dr. Soseh Yekanians supervision at Charles Sturt University.
I hold a QCT (Queensland College of Teachers) qualification in the state of Queensland. My experience as Artistic Director of Brisbane Junior Theatre and the production of 104 fully resourced productions in 24 years combined with my education and research uniquely qualifies me as an expert to act within Baz Kershaw’s PAR Practitioner as Researcher theatre methodology in my thesis projects.
2023 Online Presentation: Charles Sturt University HDR Colloquium 2023 - Faculty of Arts and Education
Bradford, J. J. (2023b, October 30). Charles Sturt University HDR Colloquium 2023 - Faculty of Arts and Education . Wagga Wagga New South Wales ; Charles Sturt University .
2020 AUSACT Conference Presentation: The Impact of Covid 19 on Youth Theatre in Australia
Bradford, J. J. (2020b, October 3). AUSACT Conference Presentation: The Impact of Covid 19 on Youth Theatre in Australia . Ballarat Victoria ; On-line .
2020 Fusion Journal Article
Bradford, Jack. “Brisbane Junior Theatre’s Abridged Method Acting System.” Fusion Journal, no. 17, 2020, pp. 20-38. https://fusion-journal.com/brisbane-junior-theatres-abridged-method-acting-system/
2019 AUSACT Conference Presentation: Brisbane Junior Theatre’s AMAS (Abridged Method Actor System)
Bradford, J. J. (2019b, August 11). AUSACT Conference Presentation: Brisbane Junior Theatre’s AMAS Abridged Method Actor Method. Brisbane Australia; QUT Campus Kelvin Grove.
2019 Fusion Journal Article
Bradford, Jack. “Brisbane Junior Theatre: A new theatre paradigm.” Fusion Journal, no. 15, 2019, pp. 27-46. http://www.fusion-journal.com/brisbane-junior-theatre-a-new-theatre-paradigm/
2018 AUSACT Conference Presentation: Brisbane Junior Theatre’s One Week Process
Bradford, J. J. (2018, September 2). AUSACT Conference Presentation: Brisbane Junior Theatre’s One-Week Process. Wagga Wagga, New South Wales; Charles Sturt University Campus.
