Brainstorm Productions

Program description

Brainstorm Productions delivers live theatre to primary and secondary students in Prep to Year 11.

Each 50-minute performance uses a long-form narrative, relatable characters, movement, music and humour to engage students in discussion and learning about:

• bullying
• cybersafety
• resilience
• positive relationships
• mental health
• wellbeing.

Performances are followed by a 10-minute facilitated discussion.

Classroom resources include discussion guides, lesson plans linked to the Australian and Victorian Curriculum, extension activities, song downloads for primary schools, and links to additional resources.

Intended outcomes

• Improved self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills and responsible decision-making
• Improved help-seeking, bullying reporting, upstander behaviour, peer support and digital literacy
• Reduced bullying and victimisation
• Improved mental health outcomes (e.g. mental health literacy, positive coping)

Program details

Implementation considerations

• Target population: Performances are offered for Years Prep–6 and Years 7–11.
• Program adaptability: The program is suitable for diverse cohorts including:
  • culturally and linguistically diverse students
  • neurodivergent students
  • students with a disability.
• Staffing: No staff backfill is required. Staff must be present to supervise the 60-minute session. It is recommended that wellbeing staff be available to students during and after the performance.
• Training requirements: Access to a suitable indoor venue with access to electricity is required (such as a hall, gym or theatre). Schools are not required to provide resources or information technology.
• Factors to consider: There is no minimum number of students required, however, there is a minimum fee when fewer than 120 primary school students or fewer than 110 secondary school students attend. The maximum number of students per performance is 280 for primary schools and 250 for secondary schools. The performance has a commitment time of 60 minutes. Actors require access to the venue 60 minutes prior to the performance time to set up, and 30 minutes to pack down. Staff are available to answer any questions teachers may have regarding implementation of the post-performance classroom resources, if required.
• Australian context: The program has been developed and applied in Australia.

Cost

Minimum cost

$1,000+

Detailed cost

Brainstorm Productions is priced per student ($7.70 for primary and $9.35 for secondary including GST), with a minimum fee for each performance ($924 for primary and $1,028.50 for secondary including GST). This includes:

• pre-performance resource pack (accessible via online teacher portal), including:
  • compliance documents (e.g. risk assessments and relevant child safety policies)
  • WWCC check details for each performer
  • information for staff, including key themes, content warnings (if applicable) and support options and resources for students
  • promotional materials (e.g. poster downloads, image files, social media messaging, newsletter insert, permission slip)
  • preparation story (Years Prep–2)
• a 50-minute live performance, followed by a 10-minute facilitated discussion
• post-performance resource pack to be implemented by staff (accessible via online teacher portal), including:
  • separate resources for Years Prep–2, Years 3–6, Years 7–8 and Years 9–11, with extension activities for Years 5–6 and Year 11
  • post-performance discussion guides
  • 2–3 structured lesson plans linked to the VIC and Australian (V 9.0) curriculum
  • extension activities, including options for home tasks and larger student projects
  • links to additional online resources, videos, activities and lesson plans
  • song downloads and lyrics (Years Prep–6).