It had been a busy “summer” holiday for ETC-Australia’s faculty and staff members: Program Director, John Buchanan, Professor Greg Wieder, adjunct instructors Teresa Crea and Molly Reynolds, Information Specialist Mark Hamon, Network Manager, Ben Olijnyk, administrator Lee Battye, and ETC-Australia Coordinator Sharon Vis.

Welcome news for this academic year is the effective doubling in size of ETC-Adelaide’s 83 Currie Street location with the addition of the newly renovated basement space. Emulating the multi-purpose room at ETC-Pittsburgh, this new space provides a large classroom space well-suited for Improvisational Acting, ETC Fundamentals, BVW project work, viewing films, and, of course, playing videogames.

The resident faculty “down under” have been joined this term by visiting faculty member Michelle Macau (who spent August-December 2006 at ETC-Pittsburgh), and who is teaching ‘Improvisational Acting;’ and ETC Executive Producer, Don Marinelli, who is teaching a compressed and condensed version of the ‘ETC Fundamentals’ class.

During the first week of classes, the ETC students were treated to a visit by the Honorable Mike Rann, Premier of the Government of South Australia, and the man most responsible for Carnegie Mellon establishing a branch in Australia. The Premier expressed his strong support and endorsement for Carnegie Mellon’s presence in the state of South Australia.

The new ETC students quickly became acquainted with Adelaide and its environs by traveling to Cleland Wildlife Park where kangaroos ate out of their hands and where they were able to pat and/or hold a koala bear. They quickly discovered Adelaide’s renowned Central Marketplace as well as the ubiquitous coffee shops throughout Adelaide’s CBD (Central Business District).

This past week, the ETC students attended a dress rehearsal for the movie, Dr. Plonk, the first silent feature film in modern Australian history, made possible in large part by support from the South Australia Film Board, one of only three film boards anywhere in the world with the ability to fund and green light films. Also this week, the ETC students will be attending the Dinosaurs Alive, a robotic theatre performance at the Adelaide Entertainment Center. The other exciting development is the March 8th opening of the world-renowned Adelaide Fringe Festival where scores of unique performers will be on stage for the entire month.

It isn’t lost on the ETCers “down under” that while Pittsburgh remains caught in the throes of severe winter, the weather in Adelaide is pure summer: sunny, warm, and absolutely delightful for the myriad arts festivals that occur in succession throughout the summer months. No wonder South Australia license plates boast the moniker: “The Festival State.”