In the wake of the last summer’s bushfires, drought, floods, and a global pandemic young people across the region are grappling with the worry and uncertainty about their future and even the future of the planet.
Enter the ‘How on Earth’ project, a unique collaboration bringing together workshops and theatre to support our community to feel more resilient and empowered.
Maclean based community group Friends of Foresthaven, and its Joyality Project, have partnered with Byron Youth Theatre to bring this engaging project to the Clarence Valley after sell out performances and rave reviews from schools and community in the Byron Shire last year.
As a theatre and workshop package, audiences are invited to the ‘How on Earth’ performance, and to then take part in an inspiring workshop the following day.
“We’re so happy to be part of the Plunge Festival this year, with performances and workshops in Grafton and Maclean for high schools and the community from March 28th to 31st” says Dr Eshana Bragg, ecopsychologist and Director of The Joyality Project.
“We’re very grateful for an Increasing Resilience to Climate Change community grant from the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and the Environment; as well as local support from Clarence Valley Council, Grafton Headspace, community theatre groups, environment groups and a number of passionate high school teachers who have made this all possible.”
Byron Youth Theatre’s talented cast will take audiences on an intriguing journey, exploring two different realities in the near future, asking what could be possible and how on earth we could create it?
As part of their research and development for the play, BYT cast members conducted interviews of their peers locally and nationally about their experiences of eco-anxiety, climate change and
Covid-19. Director Lisa Apostolides wove their responses into a poignant production that offers hope in a time of uncertainty and change.
“Young people have deep concerns about their future and rightly so. We may not have all the answers, but we can choose how we respond to our changing world,” says Ms Apostolides.
The day after the theatre performance the Joyality Team and their young leaders in climate resilience will lead audiences in an interactive and uplifting workshop. These empowering
workshops are for people of all ages, to explore the meaning taken away from the performance, discover inspiration for positive action, and build resilience.
Inspirational young leaders aged 14-25 years from across northern NSW took part in Joyality’s Youth Leadership Training in Climate Resilience in 2020. A selection of graduates then co-designed and are delivering workshops to support the community with resilience-building strategies.
“All our workshops and trainings are about the connection between personal and planetary well-being” says Dr Bragg, “and this collaboration with BYT has been particularly ground-breaking in that way, expressing and exploring a youth voice on these issues and
opportunities. I’m so excited to bring this experience to my local community and our local schools.”
Book your theatre and workshop tickets now at www.joyality.org/how-on-earth now. Places limited.
