Next big steps for (it’s no) drama

THEATRE group ‘(it’s no) drama’ is excited to be transitioning to an independent arts company later this year.

The group was established in 2015 to provide an opportunity for people with and without disability to express themselves through performance.

The ensemble was the dream of Emily Ardley who had participated in other drama groups closer to Melbourne. She thought there was a need – and a demand - for something similar in South Gippsland.

With assistance from South Gippsland Shire Council and a lot of hard work from Emily and other passionate locals, (it’s no) drama was established… and they’ve never looked back.

A big change came in 2020 when council secured a two-year Creative Victoria VicArts grant that could be used by (it’s no) drama to develop the performance group even further.

Samara Cunningham was engaged as artistic director along with a team of other talented individuals who were united in their endeavour to expand the all-abilities group and to coordinate productions that were inspiring and entertaining in their own right.

Their work is recognised as being high quality and demonstrates that people with disability can be involved in the production of art that is representative of their lives in this region.

(it’s no) drama have delivered many workshops and four large productions, including ‘Party of One’ that was filmed in the middle of the 2020 pandemic. The theatre ensemble successfully redesigned their creative program to work within in a lockdown environment and were able to retain momentum.

The next big step for (it’s no) drama is to transition into a not-for-profit arts company. The team recently established a membership base and are thrilled with the number of people from within the South Gippsland community who are already actively supporting the new venture. Members receive a quarterly newsletter and will always be up to date on news of upcoming events and performances.

The (it’s no) drama team will continue to run their workshops online until the beginning of term two, when the ensemble will head back to the rehearsal room to create a brand-new performance for presentation later in the year.

South Gippsland Shire Mayor, Cr Mohya Davies, said: “South Gippsland Shire Council is so proud to have partnered with (it’s no) drama. The ensemble and the creative team are all so passionate about performance and in offering an inclusive environment for people of all abilities to be able to come together and express themselves. I am looking forward to seeing the evolution of (it’s no) drama and I’m excited to hear what is in store for their next big production.”

(it’s no) drama artistic director Samara Cunningham said the theatre group wouldn’t be possible without the passionate ensemble and a team of amazing people behind the scenes.

“We look forward to continuing to produce workshops and productions that everyone can enjoy, and continue our mission to become an independent, disability-led regional arts company that South Gippsland can be truly proud of.”

To find out more about (it’s no) drama, please visit itsnodrama.com.

My reflections on working with (it’s no) drama

By Emily Ardley

(it’s no) drama is an inclusive physical theatre company for people with and without disabilities in South Gippsland. South Gippsland Shire helped (it’s no) drama get a grant from Creative Victoria, it was really exciting to receive this grant. The grant allowed the shire to employ me part-time from 2020 to 2022 as project assistant.

I was involved in interviewing people to work with the ensemble; we were on Channel 9 News, ABC TV and radio. I assisted in running workshops and attending meetings via zoom (during COVID), where we discussed what we would do with (it’s no) drama, I was a mentor to my peers. We also met with Rawkus Theatre Company who mentored me and others in the team about different ways to run a theatre company. I liked employing people for (it’s no) drama because it was very important to get the right people.

Because we were working during COVID, we did a lot of our workshops on Zoom. Zoom was very hard for everyone to join in. It was tiring and some people wanted to do it in person. It was hard to use Zoom – sometimes I couldn’t get on and it was stressful. Some of the things we did included:

* Workshops as an (it’s no) drama ensemble with different artists that we employed – some skills we learned included circus, African drumming and dancing.

* Fish Creek Circus Carnival.

* Fish Creek Primary School workshop.

* Stasis.

* Fish Creek Parade.

* Party of One.

Learning new skills is a big part of (it’s no) drama, educating people and raising awareness about who we are is very important. So I wanted to say more about two of the things we did.

Fish Creek Primary School workshop

At the workshop we ran at Fish Creek Primary, we explored the question ‘How inclusive is our community’. I loved working with the students, they were really involved. We were trying to put across the message that everyone is equal and that everyone deserves the chance to follow their dreams. Some young people aren’t educated about others or haven’t seen people with a disability.

We were able to educate them and express what we have been through.

Party of One

(it’s no) drama made a film called Party of One. The nine performers involved were filmed separately because we were in isolation and we watched the films all together. I did a picnic scene and it was filmed at my mum and dad’s house.

Everyone was telling their own story, with different backgrounds so everyone had a part in it. It made me feel amazing and it was very special to have my dog Angel in it. Party of One gave people a picture of what the actors were thinking, feeling and experiencing during the lockdown. I thought it was breathtaking and inspiring and the end result was quite emotional.

Working with (it’s no) drama was both exciting and tiring. Sometimes things didn’t work out how we wanted and it was all different feelings rolled into one.

Would I do it again? Yes. I would do it again because it would mean we would give other people voices instead of just me doing it.