Rafi Dean

MA Arts Pedagogy and Practice

2024

Rafi is an audio-visual artist, technical theatre consultant and educator. Rafi's formative years began in the midst of captive audiences before diving into a two-decade-long career in technical production alongside professionals in theatre, events, film and museums.

Passionate about technology, music and the arts, Rafi's unique creative and collaborative approach to problem-solving is the foundation of his practice and in his arts education. Rafi’s mission is to make a lasting impact in the arts by closing the gap between creativity and technical mastery for the next generation of technical production professionals.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/rafidean

rafi@ark-av.com

Work

Teaching philosophy and research interests

My experiences of living and working through technological evolutions in the creative arts has informed my actions of keeping up with trends, but never forgoing fundamental theories behind the practice. Taking notes from my own cognitive development, the scaffolding of knowledge from peers and mentors is a source for the construction of knowledge in my art form and industry.

My teaching philosophy is based on an experiential and constructivist approach in developing curriculum that infuses creativity with the technical to foster creativity and confidence. Following architecture as a metaphor, the key foundational layers must be laid while keeping sight on the height and breadth of subjects that needs to be taught. Building a safe, structurally sound education for the student whilst keeping enough room for their individual growth has led to a fruitful pursuit of educating the next generation of technical production practitioners.

Click here to add in Fav

Thesis abstract

Frontstage to backstage: Drama praxis as a creative trigger for technical theatre students

This study investigates the integration of technical and creative disciplines in technical theatre education to enhance students' confidence and creativity. Addressing the problem of a hidden curriculum that may predispose technical theatre students to a purely technical role, the study examines the effects of a dramatic workshop on students' self-efficacy and design creativity.

Employing the theoretical framework of 'techne', 'poiesis', and 'praxis', the action research methodology is applied through a drama praxis intervention in a projection design workshop. The study utilises character development exercises based on the Stanislavski system to bridge the gap between technical skill and creative application. Results indicate significant improvements in students' confidence, self-efficacy and creative design thinking, suggesting that drama praxis effectively augments technical theatre pedagogy.

The study concludes that incorporating creative drama into technical theatre education not only broadens students' role perception, but also enhances their potential as innovative designers, advocating for curricular reforms that blend technical proficiency with creative exploration. This shift in educational approach aims to prepare students for a more versatile and innovative role in the performing arts industry.

Work experience

Aug 2022 – present
ArtScience Museum
Senior manager, museum services

Dec 2018 – present
ARK-AV PTE. LTD.
Founder and director

Aug 2014 – present
LASALLE College of the Arts
Lecturer (part-time)

May 2015 – Dec 2019
The Republic Cultural Centre, Republic Polytechnic
Technical manager

Jan 2010 – May 2015
The Esplanade Co. Ltd.
Lead production coordinator

Design by Adaptive Theme