As the first adaptation of a complete Shakespearean work presented entirely in one Aboriginal language of Australia, Hecate is a landmark production in Australian theatre. The Noongar language of the southwest of Western Australia is a critically endangered language impacted by colonisation since the early 1800s and suppressed until the 1970s. Working with an all-Noongar cast learning what is by birthright their mother-tongue, the Noongar language, on a full Shakespearean work presents a range of challenges. Consideration of effective rehearsal strategies to support brave spaces for the cast to flourish holistically, both as language learners and performers, was imperative. As most of the cast had limited understanding of spoken Noongar language until working on the production, song functioned as a catalyst for language learning, working as a mnemonic device. Vocal exercises were introduced to empower the performers to articulate freely and to liberate the text. Additionally, the stage manager’s comprehension of Noongar language was important, particularly as the production transferred to the stage. In reflecting on the necessarily unique processes developed for Hecate, this paper offers strategies to support future training of performers, directors, vocal coaches and stage managers engaged in productions that involve Indigenous and/or endangered languages.

作为第一部完全以澳大利亚土著语言呈现的完整莎士比亚作品的改编版，赫卡特是澳大利亚戏剧界的标志性作品。西澳大利亚西南部的 Noongar 语言是一种极度濒危的语言，自 1800 年代初以来就受到殖民化的影响，直到 1970 年代才受到压制。与全是 Noongar 的演员一起学习他们的母语 Noongar 语言，在一部完整的莎士比亚作品中学习什么是与生俱来的，这带来了一系列挑战。考虑有效的排练策略，以支持勇敢的空间，让演员无论是作为语言学习者还是表演者，都能全面蓬勃发展。由于大多数演员在参与制作之前对口语 Noongar 的理解有限，因此歌曲起到了语言学习催化剂的作用，起到了助记符的作用。引入声乐练习，使表演者能够自由表达并解放文本。此外，舞台监督对 Noongar 语言的理解也很重要，尤其是在制作转移到舞台时。在反思为Hecate，本文提供了支持未来对从事涉及土著和/或濒危语言的制作的表演者、导演、声乐教练和舞台经理进行培训的策略。