“The performances opened doors for further discussions and greater empathy and respect for each other.”Tracey King, Learning and Teaching Leader, Elisabeth Murdoch College
“I have never seen Anna (name changed) participate in any activity so fully. Usually when she speaks about her mum, she storms out of the room, but she was able to stay, share, and feel heard. I almost cried. These kids need this, this works for them.”Facilitator, Project Ready
Healthy Relationships uses the Playback Theatre form to support young people to reflect on their relationships - friendships, teammates, family, work colleagues, teachers, romantic relationships, pets, the works. Playback theatre invites students to share experiences from their own lives, and turns those into theatre on the spot by our ensemble of performers and musicians.
How does it work?
A skilled facilitator, a live musician and four actors come to your school space (ideally a biggish space like a drama room or auditorium) and spend an hour with your group of students.
These performances invite the students to become the ‘scriptwriters’ for the show, sharing short snippets and longer experiences from their lives. We start with the simple here and now, before moving into the theme of healthy relationships. The format also include group-led education, naming together types of relationships and the features of healthy and unhealthy relationships.
Playback performances keep even the fidgitiest kids engaged, and create a space for empathy, shared understanding, and community building.
Planning
Our facilitators will work with you in the lead up to the performance, to ensure we hold a space which prioritises student safety, while making space for honest and brave conversations about relationships to be had.
Impact on Students
Students come away from these performances feeling:
- that they share experiences with each other,
- that they have each other's backs,
- being able to recognise healthy and unhealthy relationships better,
- feeling more empathy for each other, and
- feeling braver about speaking up.
Healthy Relationships is an incursion that combines theatre, music, entertainment, surprise, wellbeing support, health education, Respectful Relationships education, student empowerment, cohort bonding, team building and drama education into a memorable package which makes education stick.
This incursion can do what a speaker, a powerpoint, a reading and a class discussion can't quite do - address a complex topic in a way that lands for students, is remembered, and truly changes lives.
Note: Involves students being able to speak about their own experiences. Our facilitators are skilled in holding a trauma-informed, responsive space, however we advise schools to have their wellbeing teams accesible during and after this incursion.
“I found that there is so much in common between us. When we can't see that it makes us feel more lonely but, in sharing stories, we can help each other so much.”Year 9 Student
“I was also expecting to be a little bit cringy but was pleasantly surprised coz it was genuinely funny and I did really enjoy it, it's the type of thing I would go see regularly if it was nearby.”Year 11 Student
“It was amazing for our students to experience this unique and professional type of theatre that created such a buzz amongst our boys.”Andrea Hamilton, Drama Coordinator, Xavier College
BOOKINGS
To make a booking or enquiry, simply press the GREEN Enquiry/Booking Request Button above right to directly contact the booking team. They will answer you promptly to discuss your booking including when payment will be required.
Shows for Schools not only gathers all the great available shows, it also makes booking easier!