Peripatetic Drama
We spoke with Chris Tomkinson about our new Peripatetic Acting Program. He is a WAAPA graduate and is a veteran of the Arts, having worked as an actor, director, producer and writer across film, TV, theatre and radio.
How long have you been working at the College and what is your role?
I first worked at The McDonald College over a decade ago and have taught Shakespeare and devising and general acting classes. My role is to inform, empower and inspire….teach!
What do you like most about working with students?
The best moments of teaching is when a student works hard at a challenge and achieves a breakthrough in understanding and ability. It is thrilling to watch those moments.
Can you tell us about the Peripatetic Acting Program and the classes you teach?
At the moment I am teaching Shakespeare and audition preparation. We are working on speeches and looking at the technical aspects of performance as well as they psychological aspects of performance under pressure.
What advice would you give to students thinking about tuition but haven’t committed?
Get into it and stretch yourself. It’s a competitive world out there and you have to be working hard to always improve your skills and be developing as both an artist and an artisan.
With extensive experience working with some of the country’s most renowned theatre companies, do you have any memorable career highlights that you can share?
Opening nights at the Opera House are always special. Walking towards that building through the Botanic Garden and seeing the sails rise above the trees is a very exciting way to arrive at work.
Tours can be amazing! They can be tough at times too (when you all have the flu and it’s July and you’re in Bendigo and it’s a maximum of 8 degrees and you have a show at 10am) but you go to wonderful places and make the most astounding discoveries.
There was one tour when we all skydived over Alice Springs at sunset – and then went straight to the theatre for a show. It was quite a vibrant performance! That night the company GM arrived for a surprise visit and smilingly told us all that we had broken our contracts by skydiving. I think it was clause 57 under high-risk activities – ooops.
But the best moments I’ve had have been with Sport for Jove Theatre. Working with a group of actors consistently for ten years, in productions that you love, and you have an audience that really responds and makes you feel that you’re working together with freedom and precision. At the end of those performances I remember thinking that this was the way I hoped my life would be and that I am truly living the dream. Corny, but true.