Education
COVID-19
Due to the ongoing outbreak of COVID-19, the dates and format for some of our education programs may change. Please refer to individual programs for any updates.
We Invite You To Share With Us The Aboriginal Story
Each year Yirra Yaakin presents a vital and strong education program suitable for young people. We create youth-focused productions, undertake residencies and conduct workshops across the state. We tour locally and regionally, providing unique cultural experiences to some of the most remote communities in the world.
With a focus on West Australian Cross-Curriculum priorities Yirra Yaakin is developing and expanding its education program to meet the needs of schools, families and the wider community.
The Arts, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures enrich understanding of the diversity of arts practices in Australia. Exploration of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures provides a rich opportunity to build a greater understanding of Australian history as well as fostering mutual understanding and respect between cultures. – School Curriculum and Standards Authority, Government of Western Australia
With this in mind from 2013 we joined with our new Community Cultural partner, The Western Australian Museum, to grow and develop opportunities to present contemporary Aboriginal performing arts experiences.
At Yirra Yaakin teachers and AIEO’s are our partners in promoting the value of young people’s involvement in arts and culture. The company enjoys strong relationships with schools throughout Perth, and in regional and remote communities of WA.
Our productions and programs are about bringing educators and students opportunities designed to make students think, question their preconceptions and expand their knowledge of theatre as well as contemporary and traditional Aboriginal culture.
Our schools program is supported by quality comprehensive educational materials, and is designed to develop theatre/audience skills, social/personal attributes and to promote a uniquely Aboriginal cultural learning experience.
Our current program sees Yirra Yaakin offering a diverse range of presentations, including incursion/ excursion performances, one-off events, and specialised workshops. These are directly linked to the current Curriculum Framework, with a range of offerings suitable for students of all ages.
Performances
Bilya Kaatijin
Written By: Zac James
Directed By: Marlanie Haerwea
Age Group: Years K-6
Dates: Metro Tour: 2 – 27 May | 27 June – 1 July 2022 / Regional Tour: 30 May – 24 June 2022
Venue: Schools Incursion
Curriculum Links
Arts / English / HASS
Science / Sustainability / Aboriginal & Torres Strait
Islander Histories & Cultures
Education Kit Included
Panawathi Girl
Written By: David Milroy
Directed By: Eva Grace Mullaley
Age Group: 15+
Dates: 8 – 13 February 2022 (School Performance 11 February)
Time:Tue 8 – Fri 11 Feb 7.30pm | Sat 12 Feb 2pm & 7.30pm | Sun 13 Feb, 6pm
Venue:His Majesty’s Theatre (Karboordup)
Group Pricing is available for selected events where 11 or more tickets are purchased. Contact boxoffice@perthfestival.com.au for details. For School group booking details visit Perth Festival’s schools page.
Please note: Panawathi Girl contains coarse language, stylised violence, race and gender issues, sexual references, simulated drug use, smoking and haze effects. Recommended for ages 15+
Written by David Milroy, the much loved playwright behind Waltzing the Wilarra, and featuring an all-star cast of WA talent, this music-filled journey is brimming with heart and humour. Follow our heroine Molly Chubb from the big smoke back to the small country town of her birth as she searches for her place in the world.
Students studying a range of subjects will be able to analyse this original contemporary Aboriginal story written and performed by First Nations artists from a range of viewpoints. Students can reflect on devised theatre processes, elements of drama, storytelling, use of language variation, socio-political context and ranging perspectives on what it means to be Australian.
Education Kit Available
More InfoWorkshops
Moorditj Wirla | Respect Yourself, Respect Your Culture Workshops
Age: 14+ (Years 9 – 12)
Venue: Schools Incursion
Dates: 25 July – Friday 23 September 2022 | Regional Workshops: October 2022
‘Moorditj Wirla’ (Strong Heart) uses elements of Forum Theatre to empower young people to explore their definitions of culture, and where they see themselves in a wider Australian cultural context.
More InfoTjuma Koondarm (Tell your Dreams) Workshops
Age: Suitable for students years 2 – 6
Venue: Schools Incursion
Dates: 25 July – Friday 23 September 2022
Written by Zac James Tjuma Koondarm is a 3 hour specialist workshop aimed at students in years 2 – 6 that focuses on creative writing, performance and devising.
More InfoTouring
Yirra Yaakin Theatre Company strives to deliver a diverse and high quality education program of performances and activities that promote respect, pride and cultural strength to all students across Western Australia. We believe cultural empowerment is the basis of a healthy, sustainable community and provides the building blocks on which other key messages can be delivered to the community.
Education Kits and Resources
Yirra Yaakin’s Education Kits are developed by Yirra Yaakin Theatre Company’s Education Officer in consultation with Noongar Elders, local community and educators within Western Australia. They are available free, as an additional resource, to teachers/lecturers who make a group student booking to the performance.
The Education Kits are a useful reference for teachers, lecturers and students and contain social, cultural and historical details, production information such as interviews with members of the creative team and a variety of activities linked with learning areas and outcomes from the West Australian Curriculum Framework.
Yirra Yaakin Theatre Company Education Kits are available to purchase for $30.00 + GST (plus postage) after the production run has closed.
To purchase these Kits or for more information please contact our Education Officer at education@yirrayaakin.com.au or on (08) 9380 3049.
Download Order FormEverything you need to know to help prepare for your school visit to Yirra Yaakin’s performances.
Getting to Subiaco Arts Centre
Risk Assessment Guidance for Schools
Kits are currently available to purchase for the following productions…
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We rely on you, our community, for our future creative and cultural programs. Your donations, encouragement and friendship provide vital support for the ongoing development of our artists and our work. Help us share Aboriginal stories by becoming a donor today!
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Yirra Yaakin Theatre Company