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Bendigo Venues & Events offers schools a host of opportunities to engage with the artists who visit our spaces. These experiences can greatly complement a trip to our theatres to watch a live performance or participation in an Arts program hosted at one of our venues. From masterclasses with world class artists and in-school workshops to meet-the-artist and career development talks we have a selection of events taking place all year round to enhance your Arts education experience and link to curriculum outcomes.
Contact the Education Engagement Officer to find out more about how your school could make the most of these amazing opportunities. Email [email protected] for further information.
School reservations must be booked online using the School Booking Form.
Please note funding for the Loddon Campaspe Student Excursion Program has been fully allocated.
Details about the performances and opportunities available to schools can be found on this page and by searching the What's On page.
We also offer work experience places to year 10 students across the Greater Bendigo region. Find out more and apply online for work experience.
Waru – journey of the small turtle
Under the star-illuminated skies of the Torres Strait, a green turtle navigates her way back to the beach where she was born. The season has started, the turtles are returning to nest, and soon the island will welcome a new generation of hatchlings – amongst them, our small turtle friend, Migi!
In Bangarra’s first dedicated work for children, join our heroine Migi as she undertakes a journey of discovery and survival. A contemporary saltwater Lagaw Kazil (Island Children) story inspired by the totemic system of the green turtle, Waru – journey of the small turtle is an interactive and immersive introduction to Torres Strait Islander culture and dance for 3–7-year-olds.
Created by former Bangarra Artistic Director, Stephen Page, together with Hunter Page-Lochard and Bangarra alumni Dancers and Choreographers Sani Townson and Elma Kris, Waru provides teachers, parents and care-givers with a unique opportunity to open up conversations about climate change, caring for the environment and the traditional cultural values of respect and reciprocity.
Inspired in part by Turtle (Corroboree, 2001), choreographed by Stephen Page, Peggy Misi and Elma Kris.
Featured songs:
Koey Maluya by Helen Anu, Leonora Adidi and Peggy Misi, choreographed by Peggy Misi, Elma Kris and Sani Townson.
Waru by Helen Anu, Leonora Adidi.
Soeywal Wayi by Helen Anu, Leonora Adidi.
Play Dance, Kasa Kab, choreographed by Peggy Misi and Stephen Page.
Waru has been generously supported by the Girgensohn Foundation and the Restart Investment to Sustain and Expand (RISE) Fund – an Australian Government initiative.
Creative Team:
Director Stephen Page
Cultural Creatives Sani Townson and Elma Kris
Writer Hunter Page-Lochard
Composers Steve Francis and David Page
Featured Songs By Helen Anu, Leonora Adidi and Peggy Misi
Set and Costume Design Jacob Nash
Lighting Design Matt Cox
Language Consultant Leonora Adidi
Artists:
Aka Malu - Storyteller Elma Kris
Performer Aba Bero
Recommended for ages: 3 – 7 years
All school bookings must be made using the School Booking Form
Education Pack Link: waru-learning-pack_2022.pdf (bangarra.com.au)
60 Minutes Duration
FREE FOR STUDENTS
Suitable for ages 12+
A moving acrobatic performance linking people, country and culture, where the unseen bonds between the body and the land become beautifully visible. This award-winning Na Djinang Circus performance explores the ancient connections tying First Nations people together, strong through bloodlines but irreparably damaged through colonisation. Four performers connect with each other physically and spiritually in a display of breathtaking acrobatics. Arterial will both excite and move you as the performers celebrate what it means to be First People—the lifeblood of this country. The land is its beating heart.
Na Djinang Circus is a Melbourne based contemporary circus company working with diverse young artists to share unique insight with the next generation's Hands & Feet. Na Djinang Circus aims to develop work that utilises the next generation's social and political attitudes and tell stories that challenge our own perceived ideas about contemporary Australian society. Our work explores fundamental human characteristics from an indigenous perspective, using the body to demonstrate complex human experiences of trust, connection, vulnerability, and joy. Na Djinang Circus is known for being a First Nations led company and our art and ethos reflect traditional and contemporary values. We are curious, original and free to make mistakes. We believe as artists we have the power to shape audiences’ opinions and help create change.
All school bookings must be made using the School Booking Form
READ ABOUT PREVIOUS EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES BELOW
Archipelago Productions in co-production with Australian Theatre for Young People (ATYP) performed Favel Parrett's Past the Shallows in September 2024 at The Capital. Senior students from a local secondary school were in attendance as part of their Drama and Theatre studies.
In Sept 2022, local students were able to speak to the cast and crew of Yong to get a better understanding of the work that goes into putting on a performance which is an adaptation of a novel.
Camp Hill primary students took part in circus workshops with the cast of Circa in June 2022. Their teacher had this to say:
Circa workshops were so wonderful. sometimes it takes some outsiders to do something a bit different and a bit challenging for the kids to have go. The acro-balance activities were perfect. The kids really got to use their bodies, their balance and their teamwork. The guidance was top notch. The warm-ups and the wind up at the end were really great too. Professionally I got something out of it too. I am so grateful for opportunities like this for myself and for my students. They add so much to our student experience and enrich my teaching too.
Senior music students join The Ulumbarra Foundation Board at a reception for the MSO ahead of their evening performance in 2019.
First Nations secondary school students from Eaglehawk Secondary College take part in a writing and storytelling through movement workshop with Torres Strait Islander artist Ghenoa Gela who performed My Urrwai in March 2019.
Secondary school students from Bendigo South East Secondary College receive a Bharatanatyam dance workshop from Seeta Patel in March 2020. Seeta was in Bendigo to perform 'Not Today's Yesterday'.
Opera Australia regional children’s chorus scheduled for July 2020 shifted to June 2021 and rehearsals and preparations took place in term 2 2021. Covid restrictions forced the cancellation of the actual evening performance of Carmen on 3/6/21, however in 2022 another group of students were luckily enough to be part of the Barber of Seville production: 15 students from 12 schools across our region participated in lengthy rehearsal process (across two terms) to prepare for performing in 6 pieces with Opera Australia’s The Barber of Seville at Ulumbarra Theatre on July 23.
Marist College Bendigo Grade 2 students attended 'Are We There Yet' in May 2023. The students were very happy to be supported by The Ulumbarra Foundation to attend the performance. Schools also had the chance to take part in a digital workshop with the Director Liesel Badorrek, in June, to further extend their learning experience.
You can learn more about The Ulumbarra Foundation by heading to their website.
Bangarra Dance has been visiting Bendigo for many years and often students are invited to learn some of the company's repertoire through masterclasses. This image shows BSE ACA and Assumption College Kilmore students taking part in a 'Bennelong' dance workshops.
BV&E acknowledges the Dja Dja Wurrung and Taungurung Peoples as the traditional custodians of the lands where our venues stand and where we share stories through art and culture.
We acknowledge and pay respect to their Elders past, present and future.
