Responding to Racism

Responding to Racism
April 30, 2014 Comments Off on Responding to RacismPlaying as part of the DreamBIG Children’s Festival 2019!
Responding to Racism is an award-winning interactive theatre performance developed in partnership with Reconciliation SA to identify, respond to, and prevent racism.
Responding to Racism follows the character of Mik, a young aboriginal student who is putting up with constant racism from his friend and football teammate, Chris. Meanwhile, a new student has arrived at school, Sophia, who is being stereotyped and discriminated against for wearing a headscarf.
The show explores how racism affects people on a daily basis. Specifically, it aims to help participants identify various forms of racism and provides prevention strategies. Featuring a culturally diverse cast, the performance provides the audience with strong role models. The project uses Forum Theatre techniques where the audience is invited to support the characters deal with the problem of racism. As such, the performance is able to use a peer-education approach to find solutions that are relevant to the experiences of the audience.
Since 2014 over two thousand people have seen performances including participation in two annual Reconciliation SA Schools Congress’, with eight full-day events for year 8-11 students that included the Responding to Racism performance and other games and exercises co-facilitated by ActNow Theatre artists, in metropolitan Adelaide and regional South Australia.
Upcoming performances:
25 October 2018, 6pm, The Bradley Forum, UniSA City West – Bookings
28-31 May 2019, Migration Museum, DreamBIG Children’s Festival – Schools Bookings
Responding to Racism is available for performances in schools, workplaces, conferences, and at our central city location on-demand. Get in contact with us at info@actnowtheatre.org.au today to talk about booking a showing!
“An excellent and authentic way to have young adolescents engage in dialogue and to accept the complexities and possibilities for compacting racism.” – Teacher
“really made me reflect on racism and the way it is normalized in our culture. I would personally like to make a difference and assist in the eradication of racism.” – Student
Reconciliation SA
Reconciliation South Australia is a not-for-profit organisation that promotes the people’s movement for reconciliation at a state level. Our work focuses on creating environments in which Aboriginal people can meet their full potential. As a rights-based organization, taking a strong stand against racism is fundamental to being able to build a harmonious and safe community for all South Australians.
Edwin Kemp Attrill
Rotating cast
Manal Yonus
Nicole Orr
David Andri
Lochy Maybury
Performance History
2018
Australian Refugee Association
Northern Adelaide State Secondary School Alliance
Unley City Council
2017
Australian Refugee Association
Blakes Crossing Christian College
Brighton Secondary School
Cabra College
Kaurna Plains School
Mark Oliphant College
Marryatville High School
Marymount College
Northern Adelaide Local Health Network
Playford International College
Seaview High
Seymour College
St John’s Grammar School
2016
Amnesty International Australia
Australian Education Union
Australian Refugee Association
Bowden Brompton Community School
Cabra College
Cornerstone College
Country Health SA
Early Childhood Australia
Education Industry Congress
Gowrie SA
Mark Oliphant College
Marryatville High School
Maxima Group
Modbury High School
Nazareth Catholic Community School
Office for Recreation and Sport
Port Lincoln Primary School
Prince Alfred College
Rotary SA
SA Dental Service
SA Unions
Seaview High
South Australian Aboriginal Sports Training Academy
St Aloysius College
St John’s Grammar School
St John’s Youth Service
TAFE SA
Urrbrae Agricultural High School
2016
Reconciliation SA Schools Congress:
– Claire (x2)
– Metro North (x2)
– Metro South (x2)
– Mount Gambier (x2)
– Murray Bridge (x2)
– Whyalla (x2)
2015
Australian Education Union
Cabra College
Child and Family Health Service
Maxima Group
Reconciliation Week Breakfast, Adelaide Convention Centre
St Johns Youth Health Service
Reconciliation SA Schools Congress:
– Metro North-West (x2)
– Metro South (x2)
– Murray Bridge (x2)
– Port Augusta (x2)
– Port Lincoln (x2)
2014
Reconciliation SA Schools Congress:
– Metro North (x2)
– Metro South (x2)
– Mount Gambier (x2)
Responding to Racism was commissioned by Reconciliation SA.
Special Thanks
Alice Dolling
In 2015, ActNow Theatre was awarded a South Australian Governors Award for Multiculturalism in the Youth Organisation Category for its work on this project.