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I am a researcher, author, and teacher in the field of Theatre and Performance Studies. My published research meshes cultural and performance histories in the fields of: circus studies, popular entertainments, childhood studies (on child actors), and pedagogies for actors and theatre makers. My teaching portfolio encompasses practice, theory, histories of theatre and performance.

After completing a three-year (full-time) Diploma of Acting at The Drama Studio (Sydney) in 1984, I spent many years working as a performance collaborator and performer, developing creative outputs that spanned indoor and outdoor performance works for museums, festivals, public authorities, high school audiences, and theatres. My interest in dance led me to Spain where I studied Flamenco dance (1985) and upon returning to Australia I continued dance studies and performance for a further decade. My practical experience of contemporary live performance and industry practice also extends to the music industry where I worked for over six years developing an understanding of all aspects of the contemporary music industry. During that time I was editor of the AustralAsian Music Industry Directory (six years) and the editor of the Australian Sports Industry Directory (three years concurrently).

Academic qualifications

• PhD (2007): A Circus and its Context: The FitzGerald Brothers’ Circus in Australia and New Zealand, 1888-1907
• Master of Creative Arts, by research (2004): The Neutral Mask: its position in Western actor training and its application to the creative processes of the actor
• Graduate Certificate in the Practice of Tertiary Teaching (2013), University of Newcastle
• Diploma of Acting (1984), The Drama Studio (Sydney)

Academic positions

• Associate Professor (Honorary), School of the Arts and Media, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia, October 2022 –
• Associate Professor in Creative and Performing Arts (Honorary), School of Creative Industries, College of Social and Human Futures, 2021-22 – 1 year
• Associate Professor in Creative and Performing Arts, School of Creative Industries, College of Social and Human Futures, 2020-21 – 2 years
• Senior Lecturer in Drama/Creative and Performing Arts, School of Drama, Fine Art and Music/School of Creative Industries, 2013-2019 – 7 years
• Lecturer in Drama, School of Drama, Fine Art and Music, 2008-12 – 5 years 
• Casual academic n Drama, School of Drama, Fine Art and Music, 2004-07 – 4 years

Contact: arrighi.gillian@gmail.com || g.arrighi@unsw.edu.au