Jack Migdalek
My background is in the performance arts, having worked as a performer, writer, choreographer and director in Australia and the United Kingdom. I lived in Japan for six years, where, through the teaching of language and the study of classical Japanese dance, I began research into the semiotics of para-linguistic and embodied communication, and particularly the embodiment of gender. I hold a Masters degree in Education, and a PhD in Health and Social Development.
Subjects: Education, Language Learning, Media and Cultural Studies, Sociology
Biography
My background is in drama, dance and physical theatre, having worked as a performer, writer, choreographer and director in Australia and the United Kingdom. I lived in Japan for six years, where, through the teaching of language and the study of classical Japanese dance (for which I was bestowed an artist name Hanabusa Sei Jack), I began my research into the semiotics of para-linguistic and embodied communication.I have authored books on drama in language education, and more recently journal articles, and book chapters on the embodiment of gender.
A short video “Embodied Iconics: Gender” pertaining to my work on gender embodiment can be found at http://vimeo.com/user35840131. The video and an accompanying education kit (comprising post-viewing discussion and activity suggestions for tertiary and secondary classrooms) are available to educators wish to incorporate them into their teaching.
My current position is as Drama Lecturer at Trinity College, The University of Melbourne. I also write teachers resources for the Arts Centre Melbourne's Performances Program. To date, these have included education materials for the following theatre companies: Patch, Jigzaw, Zeal, Circus Oz, Bell Shakespeare, Melbourne Theatre Company, Arena, Slingsby, Windmill, Australian Ballet, Gruppe 38, and Red Stitch.
Education
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Master of Education, Deakin University, Australia, 1998
PhD, Deakin University, Australia, 2012
Areas of Research / Professional Expertise
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My research concerns the semiotics of para-linguistic and embodied communication, particularly the embodiment of gender.
Personal Interests
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performance arts; yoga; pilates
Books
Photos
Videos
Published: Nov 29, 2015
This short video is a byproduct of my arts-based research on ‘The Embodied Performance of Gender’ (Routledge 2015). The video aims to draw audiences’ attention to embedded gendered perspectives that are ordinarily taken for granted and unquestioned. My own story is the stimuli behind the content, in addition to data that emanated from ethnographic fieldwork with high school students, educators, performance artists, and health workers.