The transformative power of theatre

Introducing Treehouse Theatre, one of our wonderful Arts Education partners. Founded in 2010, the company is a non-profit based in Sydney, Australia that works with young refugees through a specialised program to help process, respond to and share their stories through theatre.

In the Treehouse program, participants tell the stories of their homeland, their family and the conflicts that forced them to flee to a new country. These tales are recorded as a verbatim script, worked through with Treehouse Theatre's specialist facilitators and at the end of the three-month program performed in professional theatres to an audience of their peers.

“The aim [of the program] is to create a coherent narrative of the trauma. As they rehearse in a safe, happy and playful environment, the young people are repeatedly exposed to these events. They gradually realise that they can remember these horrors and maintain a sense of control.” - Treehouse Theatre

Empathy, resilience, strength … the reality of the refugee experience is often one that goes unseen. The opportunity for high school students to witness the young refugee cast share their stories about the reality of why they came to Australia is second to none, and the benefits for students flow both ways.

“The warm and heartfelt responses our audiences give to our performers make our cast, their families, and other refugees in the audience, feel valued, empowered and above all, welcome in their new country.” - Treehouse Theatre

Co-founders Ruth and Catherine met through their work with young refugees; Catherine as a Psychologist and School Counsellor, and Ruth as a Drama teacher and teacher of English as a Second Language. They both believe in the theatrical power of storytelling to help viewers see inside the experience of the storyteller.

By using CBT-Exposure Therapy models of trauma recovery and Narrative Exposure Therapies, Directors Ruth and Catherine created the Treehouse program in the aims to reduce active symptoms of PTSD, depression, anxiety, ADHD and to improve confidence and relationships for the participants. The program has been hugely successful with many students reporting improved sleep and concentration, and a reduction in nightmares and flashbacks on the completion of the program.

Time and time again audiences from Treehouse Theatre productions are amazed by the sheer spirit and determination of the participants. "Attending a Treehouse production, makes students from non-refugee backgrounds reflect and think about refugee stereotypes and the people behind these images,” says Jeff Lovett, Deputy Principal at Mount Annan High School, “[I’ve] never had a student not affected by listening to another student tell their story."

Refugee Diaries is Treehouse Theatre’s next production, to be performed at Seymour Centre as part of our 2024 Arts Education Program on 31 Oct – 1 Nov.

Visit the event webpage and book your tickets today!

Header Image Carousel credit: Treehouse Theatre and Jorge Aparicio

26 September 2024