Interdisciplinary Class

An experimental performance class for learning, reinterpreting, improvisiing and devising across dance, acting and music.

Drawn from the teacher's own interdisciplinary performance-making practices, exercises explored in this class deep-dive into self-expression, sensitivity and intentional play, guided by nuanced principles of listening and collaboration.

This is an independent artist-run, improvisation-based class, which was started in 2025 to fill a gap in our local scene for interdisciplinary artists to sustain our creative and performance practices through a weekly class. Inspired by morning classes which maintain professional dancers' readiness for work, it is for any collaborative musicians, dancers and actors to stay active and curious our performance and devising skills.

Each class introduces concepts from dance, theatre, and music, then expands these ideas as the basis of a group improvisation. An interest in interdisciplinary learning and an existing practice in at least one of these forms is helpful for this class - but artists of any and all experience levels are welcome and encouraged to learn together.

“Interdisciplinary Class brought a lot of body-based awareness and a connection between movement and sound. I really enjoyed the way Patrick includes multiple ways of moving, all very gently bringing a spatial awareness that has helped me to understand myself and my practice with more care and creativity.” – Performance-maker

“Patrick’s Interdisciplinary Class is a wonderful opportunity to show up more wholly as a person and artist. It felt incredibly exciting to break out of compartmentalised modes of performance.” – Music artist & mover

Is this class for me?

If you:

• are an experienced artist with a practice in music, dance, and/or acting - including established, emerging and self-taught artists

• enjoy thinking laterally and non-institutionally about art-making, and are curious about approaching traditional forms in new ways

• enjoy learning and improvising consensually, inclusively and equally with others, without centring any one performer or practice

Then this class is intended for you.

If you:

• prefer being more technically-focused and achieving "perfection" in your artform

• prefer learning directly from repertoire or scripts "as intended"

• mostly interested in this class because you’re curious about learning from a teacher whose body is different to yours, or interested in working with or learning from disabled artists

Then this class isn’t intended for you. But feel free to check out workshops offered by your local theatre, dance and music artists, collectives and organisations.

Please note this class is taught by a teaching artist, not a qualified teacher, and techniques are drawn from the teacher’s own interdisciplinary practice with each of the forms explored in class. It is intended to compliment the practices of anyone with some theatre, dance or music experience, but is still accessible for performers who don't have as much of a technical background with these forms. If you're not sure if you have the right experience level for this class, you're welcome to reach out to me first so we can discuss your goals and needs for participating equally in this class.

Class Plan

5:30pm - 5:40pm Grounding & Check-in (mindfulness and number check-in)

5:40pm - 5:55pm Warm-up (breath, body, hands, face, voice, and instruments or space)

5:55pm - 6:10pm Technique 1 (music)

6:10pm - 6:25pm Technique 2 (dance)

6:25pm - 6:40pm Technique 3 (acting)

6:40pm - 6:50pm Sequence / Score / Scene (devised with students)

6:50pm - 7pm Cool-down (self-guided recovery, discussion and check-out question)

To offer a holistic and responsive environment for all performers, each class is capped at 12 students.

About the teacher

Patrick Gunasekera (he/him) is an interdisciplinary performer, creator, producer and emerging teaching artist based on Whadjuk Noongar Boodjar. He grew up acting, dancing, and studying western classical music, and since 2018 has been active in professional arts communities as an independent performer and performance-maker, alternating between or connecting his core disciplines. He currently maintains practices in text-based acting, classical piano, contemporary dance, ballet, and improvised performance. Patrick has been a workshop facilitator for artists since 2023, mainly exploring responsive and inclusive class structures, and teaching techniques developed through his own highly interdisciplinary and bodily autonomy-focused performance practices.

Detailed Access Info

​ King Street Arts Centre in the CBD. Getting here from Perth Train Station is an 8-minute walk / 10-minute flat manual roll with lopsided paths. Getting here from Perth Busport is a 7-minute walk / 10-minute manual roll with one long uphill (flat on the left). It is next to CPP His Majesty's carpark on Murray St.

​ Entrance on Murray St has a sliding door, 2 steps, a break, then 3 steps. Accessible entrance on Munster Lane has a locked sliding door - please email me ahead of time if you want this entrance on the day.

 This class usually be in Studio 1, and occasionally in a different room. Here is how to find each studio:

• Studio 1: Take lift to Level 2, turn right. Door is on the left, opposite Green Room.

• Studio 2: Take lift to Level 2, turn left. Door is on the right, opposite hallway to kitchen.

• Studio 3: Take lift to Level 2, turn left. Keep going down the hallway to the end of the metal ramp, door is on the left.

• Large Meeting Room: Take lift to Level 1, turn left. Door is on the right.

 You will need to take your shoes off in Studios 1, 2 and 3, and keep your shoes on in Large Meeting Room.

 If you're bringing wheels, please wipe them down as best you can on the doormat before entering Studios 1, 2 or 3.

 Lights are a mix of adjustable warm and natural lighting.

 Music through speakers is mostly acoustic and grounding, volume can be adjusted. Sometimes I play music in the background while giving instructions, but we can work without background music too. The teacher will facilitate a check-in where students can openly share what they want to get out of class that day, and all students are expected to contribute to a class culture where all can comfortably negotiate different sensory and creative needs in class.

 A wellbeing corner with stim toys and breathing exercises will be set up near the entrance, you are welcome to sit out there anytime.

 Studio windows can't be opened. The teacher wears an N95 mask, and spare N95 masks and hand sanitiser will be available in the wellbeing corner.

​ All rooms have some air conditioning, but as the building is quite old it's best to dress appropriately for the weather. The green room (also on Level 2) has better air conditioning if you need somewhere to cool down in after class.

 Studio 2 has a mirror along one wall that can't be covered, Studios 1 and 3 have mirrors that can be turned around.

 This is a consensual touch-only class, and will not involve physical contact unless a student requests physical guidance from me to help them learn a particular step.

 I have a responsive teaching style, so the speed and complexity of exercises are determined by the capacity of everyone in the room - I’m used to giving different options the room can choose from, and appreciate being told what works best for different performers and sensitively integrating this range into the class.

 My teaching process involves verbal instructions and guided exercises, visual demonstrations and breakdowns of techniques, and clear and practical prompts for discovering new ideas or nuances yourself through improvisation. It matters to me that the techniques and ideas we learn are delivered in ways that are affirming and helpful for you. I check in about and work at the preferred pace of the room, and will sometimes give the room a task to do themselves while I individually work with students who learn best with more time or one-on-one help.

 You are always welcome and encouraged to adjust exercises and instructions to make them work for you. If you ever feel stuck doing this, you are welcome to speak with me, or I’m happy for you to find your own process yourself – please let me know if you’d prefer some aspects of the class to discreetly include more time, so you can keep up with everyone else while developing your own approaches to the tasks.

If you have any questions, concerns, requests or feedback about this class, I would love to hear from you - please click "Contact host" under the event dates at the top of the page, or in the Host section below.

Header illustration by p gunasekera