Spirits in Bare Feet

The University of Southern Queensland's (USQ) first year Bachelor of Creative Arts students are currently performing Spirits in Bare Feet (29 May-7 June 2009), a play written by USQ Alumnist, David Burton.

Burton's play has been written for primary aged students, so they can gain a greater knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal culture and the history of the Gummingurru site, located outside of Toowoomba near Gowrie Junction.

One of Australia's well known performers and directors, Mary-Ann Vale is guest director of this production which also features live music composed and performed by prominent Indigenous musician Michael Brown.

These Teachers' Notes Teacher's notes have been prepared by Kristen Thompson, Emily Curtin, Chloe Davies, Aaron Ducker, Rosie Spiers, Chris White, Blake La Burniy and Jemima Strambini, with assistance from David Burton. The Notes are designed to provide further background information about the play, as well as suggest examples for pre-show and post-show activities for students to participate in to gain a better understanding of the context in which the play is written.

The web and book resources will help you and your students to discover and explore more about Aboriginal culture, spiritual and historical legends.

Please feel free to integrate and incorporate the activities into your classes; this will help to generate discussion between your students.