I write in reference to Tony Kishawi, with whom I worked in my capacity as Unit co-ordinator of KTB308 Performance 2 in QUT’s Performance Studies, Creative industries 2003-04.
The task of the unit is a challenge: to facilitate the students devising a new performance work, in a maximum of 13 x 3 hour sessions.
I worked with Tony two years running on the unit and his work as a tutor was of a high standard. He was consistently concerned with ensuring the students were equipped with the skills they needed, while balancing these demands with his brief to facilitate their vision. Not an easy task. He displayed a high level of engagement with the material and I noted his keenness to continually reflect upon and improve is own praxis, which I understand to have quite a breadth and depth, based on professional experience as a performer, teacher and creator of new works in a range of contexts.
I decided to create a documentary project based in the student experience of this particular unit and called upon Tony’s audiovisual skills to edit the piece. Again, I found my working relationship with him to be fruitful. I know I could depend on him for a good result within the set parameters of the project, and I know this to be a characteristic of Tony’s work.
I also mention Tony’s dedication to the showcasing and development of local artists, especially via his initiation and continued involvement in The Angry Mime Project in which I have performed.
In short, I recommend him for a role which requires knowledge of craft, and care for the learning experience of his students.
