Over the past few months, we have had the pleasure of welcoming intern Nicole to Patch Theatre. Here she tells us a bit about her time involved in creative development for our next new show.

I have had the joy of sharing the experience of Patch shows with my son over the past 5 years, seeing the joy and wonder it brings him, it is one of our favourite things to do together. As an arts enthusiast, it has got me wondering: How does Patch come up with it?! 

Well, I fortunately have had the chance to gain a little insight.

Recently, I joined Patch on an intern placement and was able to be part of the third creative development of a new work. Tasked to observe and document this process, I welcomed the opportunity to gain insight into how Patch develop their immersive, interactive, child-centred shows.

Over a series of days, the team of creatives came together: in-house creatives Geoff Cobham and Michelle ‘Maddog’ Delaney, joined by creative and composer, Zoë Barry, together with performers and creatives Ayden, Dylan, Edgell and Nia.

Each day, there were opportunities to inspire creativity.

There was creative storytelling and drawing tasks, building activities, and playing with movement, rhythm and sound.

Play is important in the process of a creative development, and there were many opportunities for this, including playing with bubbles. 

UV light offers much opportunity for visual exploration.

So much can be explored with shadow play and the use of light.

Lots of collaboration amongst creatives is a key element of Patch’s creative process.

What I found to be most notable and enjoyable in the creative development process for Patch is that it is not centred around one person's vision and the outcomes are not developed in isolation from the performers or its audience. 

The performers are also the creators and are deeply engaged in the idea generation and creative direction. Importantly, the design-led process always considers how the children can be involved, engaged, and take the lead. 

The culmination of creative-minds during this creative development are now closer to producing another innovative, immersive theatre installation, that will allow children to journey through light, sound, movement, and experience the wonder that Patch uniquely brings. I know that I am eager to share this experience again with my son.

Nicole Carmalt
Master of Management (Arts and Cultural Management), UniSA