Words & Ideas

Audience Interaction 101 Workshop - Melbourne Fringe 2025

How to keep it light, keep it playful and keep it consensual.

FREE EVENT
RSVP HERE
A performer in a blond wig and shiny gold dress sits on the edge of a stage and talks to the audience.

Image Credit: William Hamilton-Coates

  • Facilitated by: Kimberley Twiner (Melbourne Physical Theatre School)

  • Sponsored by: Deakin University

Audience interaction, essentially asks : Will you play with me?
But, it’s not exactly your average "playing". Jumping up onstage is a vulnerable and exposing act (that’s why performers train for years to be able to do it!). So what happens when the answer is no? Can we accept that? Audience interaction requires back up plans, scaffolding the audience experience and for the performer to be very accepting of the unfolding moment.

There are many points to consider when including audience interaction in a show. While an important focus is of course, clear and enthusiastic consent, there's other factors like dramaturgical and directorial choices to considers as well. This will be an embodied and theoretical exploration towards curating a positive audience experience. We will draw on perspectives from the Lecoq Methodology of Mask, Mime and Movement Theatre and Gestalt Relational Therapy.

Facilitated by Kimberley Twiner (Melbourne Physical Theatre School)

Kimberley Twiner (she/they) is an award-winning performer and director. She is the founder and lead pedagogue of the Lecoq methodology at Melbourne Physical Theatre School. She has been devising and performing since 2006 and is engaged with several long term theatre ensembles such as PO PO MO CO, The Travelling Sisters, The Wholesome Hour, Brunswick East Entertainment Festival and The Beaks. She is in her third year studies of Gestalt Psychotherapy, a type of therapy that has embodiment and relationality at its core.

Practicalities: Please arrive five minutes earlier so that we can start on time. Please wear comfortable clothing that you can move easily in as the work will include some movement and physicality. Notepads and pens will be useful for the theory.

Please RSVP to this session HERE.

  • Duration: 180 minutes

  • Age suitability: R18+

  • Event warnings: High Level Of Audience Participation.

  • Fringe Common Rooms
    Cnr Victoria and Lygon St, Carlton, Victoria, 3053

    Wheelchair Access

    Fringe Common Rooms is wheelchair accessible.

    Assistive Hearing

    Fringe Common Rooms is hearing loop accessible. Please advise of access requirement when buying tickets.

    Accessible entry via main Lygon Street entrance, using a mobi-lift.

    Get directions See all events at this venue See detailed venue & access information

  • Free Event

*Prices are subject to change without notice. Standard terms and conditions apply.

Sessions: In Person Events

Date Time Venue

Tuesday, 26 August 2025

10:00am

Fringe Common Rooms

 RSVP HERE

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