Despite wiping the bachelor of arts degree, Charles Sturt University have introduced two new courses in acting and theatre, with the Creative Industries (acting and performance) degree now available at the Wagga campus. 

CSU course director Chris Orchard said the theatre courses are responding to student and industry needs. 

“Acting and performance have completely diversified over the last decade and with acting interfaces, game design development and augmented reality, there’s more jobs than ever before,” Mr Orchard said. 

“It’s a very exciting time for actors and with emerging 3D videos it means that actors are able to work at a distance and from anywhere. 

“We’re likely to see more acting positions in regional places because of the cost of living and it also means that actors need to work with increasing disciplines.” 

Mr Orchard said these two degrees differentiate from other performing art schools around the country. 

“Acting is one of those skills that requires time and dedication to the craft; your body is your tool as an actor,” he said. 

“In terms of working in a tertiary context, it brings students in close proximity to other media students, like photographer, animation and media students. 

“Institutions like NIDA are producing just one type of screen or stage actors, but actors need to be able to adapt to different and changing workforces.” 

Civic Theatre manager Carissa Campbell welcomed the theatre media courses and said this is creating the “next generation” of performing arts. 

“There’s a creative boom happening in Australia and in live, online performances, at events and festivals, and we’re facing a big skills shortage in the technicality of the performing arts. 

“Wagga became a performing hub in the ‘70s and it exploded and ever since then we have been a leading cultural hub,” Ms Campbell said. 

“I think this is the next generation and the performing arts is decentralising and this is partly driven by house prices and the allure of regional living. 

“We have a great history and Wagga is poised to become a leader.”

CSU third year animation student Giselle Crowther said the new course at Wagga will fill a gap in current media degrees. 

“I think a part of what is missing in this course is the cross-disciplinary contact, we’re a little bit isolated in the labs and I feel like this new degree will really allow students to work with actors and other media students,” Ms Crowther said. 

“But we have practically everything we need to create our visions, in terms of the equipment we have available. 

“We’ve got a motion capture room and a green-screen room, which isn’t offered really anywhere else.” 

A Wagga Council spokesperson said the degrees tie in well with the Civic Theatre’s grant applications to create a performing arts centre. 

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