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Doctor of Philosophy (Queensland University of Technology), 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 is a practitioner-researcher in digital scenography & Australian performance design. Tessa's research promotes new modes of integrating established and emergent technologies into live performance; exploring the potentiality of authenticity within digital scenography; and showcasing Australian performance design 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. Her research has been published in top-ranked publications including the International Journal of Performance Arts and Digital Media, and Theatre and Performance Design. In 2021 Tessa guest-edited the first special edition in over a decade to highlight Australian performance design (Scene Journal (Intellect)).
As Lecturer in Scenography and Technical Theatre at Queensland University of Technology, Tessa specialises in scenography, production practice, vision systems, 3D design modeling, and show technologies including Isadora. In her professional practice, she has worked across a range of dance, drama, music and festival projects as a lighting, vision and systems designer, technical manager, festival coordinator, operator and stage manager. Qualifications include a Bachelor of Creative Industries (Drama), Bachelor of Fine Arts (Technical Production), Bachelor of Creative Industries (Honours), as well as a Fellowship with the Higher Education Academy.
Tessa is the inaugural chair of ScenoLab Australia, a new national hub for Australian performance design researchers and educators, and the national centre for the International Organisation of Theatre Designers, Architects and Technicians (OISTAT). She is also the Chair of the Research Commission for the International Organisation of Theatre Designers, Architects and Technicians, and the National Secretary for the Australasian Association for Theatre, Drama and Performance Studies (ADSA). Tessa is the Australian Committee Representative for ITEAC ’23 (the International Theatre Engineering and Architecture Conference), and a founding co-convenor of the Australasian Association for Theatre, Drama and Performance Studies (ADSA) Scenography and Performance Design Working Group.
Tessa is an active member of IFTR, TAPRA and OISTAT working groups on theatre and performance design and technology.
In 2024, Tessa completed 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.
Tessa is available to supervise research students in relevant fields. Please reach out for more information.
Additional information
ScenoLab Australia - Chair
International Organization of Scenographers, Theatre Architects and Technicians (OISTAT) - Chair of the Research Commission
International Theatre Engineering and Architecture Conference (ITEAC) 2022 - Australian representative and curator
Australasian Association for Theatre, Drama and Performance Studies (ADSA) - National Secretary
Theatre Network Australia (TNA) - Member
Matilda Award Judging Committee - Judge
- Type
- Appointment to State/National/International Reference Group or Government Committees
- Reference year
- 2023
- Details
- Chair of the OISTAT Research Commission, 2023 onwards. OISTAT was founded in Prague in 1968. It stands for “Organisation Internationale des Scénographes, Techniciens et Architectes de Théâtre” in French, and “International Organisation of Scenographers, Theatre Architects and Technicians” in English. OISTAT is a global network for theatre practitioners celebrating design, technology and architecture in live performances.
- Type
- Committee Role/Editor or Chair of an Academic Conference
- Reference year
- 2023
- Details
- Australian producer/committee representative for The International Theatre Engineering and Architecture Conference 2023.https://www.iteac.co.uk/
- 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), 3–11. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/214193
- Beer, T., Rixon, T., Garrett, I. & Goh, A. (2024). Embedding ecoscenography into performance design pedagogy: three practice-based approaches. Theatre, Dance and Performance Training, 15(3), 472–494. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/251620
- Rixon, T., Brumpton, A. & Morton, D. (2022). Scaling Australian Intermedial Theatre: towards a new design methodology for sustainable performance creation and touring of complex visual theatre. International Journal of Performance Arts and Digital Media, 18(2), 208–231. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/233766
- Beer, T., Rixon, T. & Garrett, I. (2023). The Global EcoDesign Charrette in Action: Exploring Ecoscenography in Performance Design Education. In T. Humalisto & R. Kilpelainen (Eds.), Sustainable Choices: Potentials and Practices in Performance Design (pp. 103–116). University of the Arts, Helsinki. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/241512
- Kelly, K. & Rixon, T. (2023). The Dramaturgy of Defunding: Developing a History of the Defunding of Australian Theatre Organisations from 1975 to 2023. Performance Paradigm, 18, 76–86. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/245376
- 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), 163–179. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/214296
- Kelly, K., Gattenhof, S., Enoch, W. & Rixon, T. (2024). SAND: A premiere production in collaboration with Redlands Performing Arts Centre, Taikoz and Belloo Creative. Presented at: SAND [Play]. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/249351
- 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/Scenes critiques, 2021(23). https://eprints.qut.edu.au/211533
- 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), 13–35. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/214191
- 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), 296–329. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/201389