The Family

This performance is presented as part of the VCA Master of Theatre (Writing) Festival 2025.

The Family

Written by Glenn Shea

This play investigates a retrospective semi-biographical work of fiction. that has at its core an insight into the lived experience of the ongoing impact of colonisation on the essence and being of a stolen generation man. The play revolves around a family, essentially, his nuclear family of four dynamic women who share his life, but not the threads of his past or present. Written in an Australian Indigenous gothic style, it bears witness to the harsh realities of what it is to be an original custodian of a country that has lied, denied, and destroyed a culture and its people.

Runtime

This performance will run for approximately 80 minutes.

Performance schedule

Wednesday 12 November, 12PM
Thursday 13 November, 8PM

Credits

Director: Lydia Hyland
Dramaturg: Emily Sheehan. Jessica Fanwong
Cast: VCA Acting students

About the writer

NIDA Graduate - First Nations Producer La Mama Theatre - Board of Director Ilbijerri Theatre Company

Board of Director Wathaurong Aboriginal Cooperative - Board of Director Booln Booln Cultural Centre

NAIDOC Award 2020/2025 Elder/Respected Person Wathaurong Aboriginal Community/Coop.

2025 NSW Premier Literary Awards - Nick Enright Playwriting Award Three Magpies Perched in a Tree.

2023 Green Room Award - Best New Writing Three Magpies Perched in a Tree An Indigenous Trilogy.

FILM Credits (Feature) - Lucky Miles – Sugar factory – Queen of Hearts – Turning April.

TELEVISION Credits - Redfern Now ABC TV – East of Everything ABC TV– Wildside ABC TV.

THEATRE Credits - The Birthday Party MTC – Midsummer Night’s Dream STC – The Tempest QTC/MTC – Up the Road Ilbijerri – Who's Afraid of Virginia Wolfe DTC.

Researcher/Curator – History of Blak Theatre 1967 – 2000 Exhibition Powerhouse Museum Sydney.

Inventor of the Indigenous Learning Resource THE STORYTELLER (board game) ‘The experience intentionally shifts participants from standard forms of Western learning – hierarchical and print based – to oral interactions and personal explorations. To be fully appreciated, this needs to be experienced, an exploratory experience is offered.’ (G. Shea 2000)

Acknowledgement

I would like to thank the VCA staff including Raimondo Cortese, Chris Mead, Guest Dramaturgs Emily Sheehan, Michelle Lee, First Nations colleagues and Guest lecturers for the sharing of their knowledge, their support and feedback on the story I am sharing with you as part of my final presentation, as well as the VCA students who are participating in the final showings. I would also like to thank the 2025 Dramaturg and directing colleagues who provided their thoughts throughout the year. Finally thank you to the Master of Theatre (Writing) students 2025: Iris, Lillian, Ash, Emma G and Emma F, Maroux, Jamilla, Corey, Nicki and Maria, you all have inspired me.

Ticket Price

Free. Registrations required on Humanitix.

Please note that there is often a drop-off in attendance at our free events on the day of the performance. If this event is booked out and you have not secured a ticket, we encourage you to arrive at the venue 15 minutes before the advertised start time and speak to our Front of House team. Once audience members with tickets have been seated, any remaining seats will be made available to patrons waiting at the door. Please be advised that entry without securing a ticket in advance cannot be guaranteed.

If you have booked for a performance and are no longer able to attend, please cancel your booking via your Humanitix account or email us at fineartsmusic-tickets@unimelb.edu.au.

Venue

This reading takes place in Studio 4, located in the Dodds Street Performing Arts Building which is accessible via paths in the Dodds Street Linear Park.
Please meet our friendly Front of House staff in the foyer on the ground floor of the Dodds Street Performing Arts Building. Studio 4 is then accessible via the stairs or lift.

Read more about the Master of Theatre (Writing) graduates presenting this season.

Image: Don Shearman.

PARKING

The City of Melbourne has recently changed the parking restrictions around the Southbank Campus. Parking control hours are now expanded to 7am–10pm, seven days per week, and are capped at three hours. A $2-per-hour fee after 7pm is also now in place. There is no change to the $4-per-hour peak rate between 7am–7pm. Parking inspectors are regularly in the area fining drivers who overstay their meter, so we encourage everyone to be aware and avoid an expensive fine.

ACCESSIBILITY

All venues at the Southbank campus are wheelchair accessible. To read more about access services available at our venues, please visit: https://finearts-music.unimelb.edu.au/access-our-events. 

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

• Please stay home if you feel unwell, even with mild symptoms. Face masks are welcome in all settings for community and personal safety.

• In order to account for drop-off in attendance, we overbook a select number of free events at the Faculty. If you have not arrived by the start of the performance, your ticket may be released to any waiting patrons at the door. Please arrive at the venue at least 15 minutes before the performance to secure your seat. 

• Admission to any of our concerts and events is strictly at the discretion of Front of House. We have zero tolerance for any disrespectful behaviour.