Australasian Association for Drama, Theatre and Performance Studies
Philip Parsons Prize 2016
‘The judges were unanimous in their awarding Suzie Hardgrave’s Masters of Applied Theatre Studies at the University of New England practice-led research project, ‘Faking It For Real: the phenomenology of Elizabeth Taylor is My Mother’, the Philip Parson’s Prize for 2016. The imbrication of the project’s phenomenological theoretical frame with Suzie’s application of methodology derived primarily from Michael Chekhov’s theories of Psychological Gesture provided a unique and excellent example of Practice as Research. The theatrical performance at Melbourne’s La Mama Theatre was a powerful, confronting precisely performed and highly dramatic outcome. Suzie’s investigation into the liminal space between self and character in the performance of an autobiographical text allowed for an ambitious and rigorous probing into the very heart of acting processes. Suzie has been able to articulate an acting methodology that explores complex character and physicality resulting in a highly effective approach to developing contemporary performance.’
Citation courtesy of http://www.adsa.edu.au/prizes/philip-parsons-prize/
With appreciation to the late Philip Parsons and ADSA judges.
