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Bachelor of Creative Arts (Honours) (Queensland University of Technology), Bachelor of Creative Industries (Drama) (Queensland University of Technology), Bachelor of Fine Arts (Technical Production) (Queensland University of Technology)
Tessa Rixon (nee Smallhorn) is a practitioner-researcher in intermedial performance, digital scenography & Australian performance design.
Tessa's research specialties include advocating new modes of considering the integration of digital technologies in live performance; exploring the symbiosis between interactive technology and dance within devising processes; examining the latest in technical innovation in performance; and studying Australian scenographic practice and histories. Her latest research explores the impact of the pandemic on digital pedagogies within the creative arts, and the role of technology within ecoscenography.
As a lecturer in the School of Creative Practice at Queensland University of Technology, Tessa specialises in scenography, production practice, vision systems, 3D design modeling inc. SketchUp, and show technologies inc. Isadora. She has experience in course design, as well as blended learning design. Qualifications include a Bachelor of Creative Industries (Drama), Bachelor of Fine Arts (Technical Production) & Bachelor of Creative Industries (Honours) from Queensland University of Technology. In her professional practice, she has worked across a range of dance, drama, music and festival projects as a lighting designer, vision and systems designer, technical coordinator and stage manager.
Tessa is conducting her doctoral research on the integration of new media technologies into Australian live performance, investigating examples of national practice and finding new ways to create authentic, engaging performance for all audiences. Past publications include 'Symbiosis in digital performance: the relationship between interactive technologies and improvisational choreography' in Behind the Scenes: Journal of Theatre Production Practice (2019), ‘Celebrating Fifty Years in Prague: Reflections on Australian Scenographic Identity through the Prague Quadrennial of Performance Design and Space’ in Australasian Drama Studies (2020), and Reimagining Production Pedagogy in Response to COVID-19: A New Pedagogical Model for Creating Virtual Online Performance in Critical Stages (2021)
Tessa has recently guest edited a special edition of Scene Journal on Australian Scenography, and is a member of OISTAT, IFTR, TAPRA, ADSA, TNA and is a Fellow with the HEA.
Tessa is available to supervise research students in relevant fields. Please reach out for more information.
Additional information
International Theatre Engineering and Architecture Conference (ITEAC) 2022 - Planning Committee Representative for Australia
Matilda Award Judging Committee - Judge
- Type
- Academic Honours, Prestigious Awards or Prizes
- Reference year
- 2020
- Details
- Finalist in the Women in Technology 'Rising Star (Technology)' Award, sponsored by NTT.The award:The award is to acknowledge women making a significant contribution to the growth and development of their teams and organisation, serving as role models. 3¿10 years¿ experience. Applicants does not need to reside in Queensland, but must demonstrate a significant contribution to the Queensland technology industry. The organisation:Women In Technology is the peak industry body for women in technology and sciences within Queensland. Their vision is to advance, connect and empower women in technology and sciences. They are committed to:Developing a strong and sustainable network for members and supporters with industry; Building mutually beneficial partnerships and relationships with government, academia and industry; Advocating for our members on relevant issues to advance the presence and status of women in technology and life sciences; Providing development opportunities and add
- Type
- Funding Award
- Reference year
- 2020
- Details
- Recipient of $10,000 research funding support as part of the Women In Research 2020 funding award process (Women in Research Committee and Creative Industries joint funding)
- Type
- Academic Honours, Prestigious Awards or Prizes
- Reference year
- 2017
- Details
- Vice Chancellor's Performance Award: Excellence in teaching. In recognition of significant and superior contribution to the work of the university.
- Type
- Fellowship of a Learned Academy or Membership of AIATSIS
- Reference year
- 2017
- Details
- Fellow. HEA Fellowship is an international recognition of a commitment to professionalism in teaching and learning in higher education and demonstrates that the individual's practice is aligned with the UK Professional Standards Framework (UKPSF)
- Type
- Academic Honours, Prestigious Awards or Prizes
- Reference year
- 2016
- Details
- Highly Commended - 2016 Sessional Teaching and Reflection Showcase
- Rixon T, (2021) Australian scenography, Scene, 9 (1-2), pp. 3-11.
- Rixon T, Moyle G, Hutchison S, McKinney J, (2021) Authenticity within Digital Performance: A New Framework to Understand the Relationship between Audience, Vision Technology and Scenography, Australasian Drama Studies (79), pp. 253-289.
- Kelly K, Rixon T, Neideck J, Pike S, Brumpton A, (2021) Dark Mountain: Scenography for the end of the world and a more-than-human future, Theatre and Performance Design, 7 (3-4), pp. 163-179.
- Rixon T, Brumpton A, O'Neill C, (2021) Reimagining Production Pedagogy in Response to COVID-19: A New Pedagogical Model for Creating Virtual Online Performance, Critical Stages/Scènes critiques, 2021 (23).
- Rixon T, Taylor M, Briscoe J, Burke R, Osmond S, McKeague M, Roberts R, Tregloan A, (2021) The state of Australian performance design: A roundtable discussion on scenographic practice, education and research through the lens of the Prague Quadrennial, Scene, 9 (1-2), pp. 13-35.
- Rixon T, Irwin J, Walters D, Neideck J, McKeague M, Roberts R, Brumpton A, Taumoepeau L, (2021) Shaping Our Australian Scenographic Identities: A visual essay, Scene, 9 (1-2), pp. 133-155.
- Rixon T, Kelly K, Neideck J, Pike S, Winter S, Clark-Fookes T, (2021) I Will Teach You in a Room - I Will Teach you Now on Zoom: Evidence-based research on creative arts digital pedagogy in Australia, Presented at: Architecture Media Politics Society (AMPS) Conference.
- Rixon T, Winter S, (2020) Celebrating fifty years in Prague: reflections on Australian scenographic identity through the Prague Quadrennial of Performance Design and Space, Australasian Drama Studies, 76, pp. 296-329.
- Rixon T, (2019) Symbiosis in digital performance: the relationship between interactive technologies and improvisational choreography, Behind the Scenes: Journal of Theatre Production Practice, 2 (1).
- Kelly K, Gattenhof S, Rixon T, (2018) SAND . Presented at: SAND [Play].