A Box of Memories:
Conceptualising documentary
music theatre
Dr. Erin McKellar will be presenting her paper: A Box of Memories: Conceptualising Documentary Music Theatre, which introduces documentary music theatre as an emerging hybrid theatrical form that combines elements of documentary theatre and music theatre to create transformative experiences for audiences through heightened emotional resonance.
Using the creation and production of the documentary musical A Box of Memories as a case study, the paper outlines the process from conceptualization to performance, emphasizing how documentary music theatre disrupts traditional methods by incorporating documentary techniques throughout. This approach aims to depict real stories, challenge societal stigmas, and connect audiences with authentic experiences.
Dr. ERIN McKELLAR
Dr Erin McKellar, an accomplished Australian composer, performer, and artist-researcher, is celebrated as the recipient of the Helpmann Academy Award for Voice and a two-time winner of the Downbeat Award. Erin’s career is multi-faceted and has taken her from performing at prestigious venues like Dizzy's Jazz Club in New York to presenting her research at various international conferences. She is the composer and co-creator of the award-winning documentary musical 'A Box of Memories,' a poignant exploration of dementia's impact. The show has garnered international acclaim within both health and arts sectors for its transformative narrative, reshaping perceptions surrounding dementia. Among Erin's notable works are musicals 'Where's the Dog?' and 'Express’; she has also composed works for Eurovision and The Voice. Erin's academic pursuits have recently focused on developing a practical framework for 'documentary music theatre.' She is currently writing a feminist documentary musical ‘Muriel Matters’.