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 booking coordinators work with schools to ensure the program is suitable for their context, and adaptations to content are possible in some circumstances. Adjustments can be made to meet accessibility needs. Classroom resources offer suggestions and notes to help teachers implement them in an inclusive way, with activities suitable for a range of strengths and learning profiles. The program can be adapted 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. The Menu provider and its personnel must not be alone with any school student or group of school students in the classroom or in any other place at the school’s premises without another educator, teacher or teacher’s aide present at all times.
• 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. Schools will either be charged a flat rate or a per student rate, depending on the number of student participants. The maximum number of students per performance is 280 for primary schools and 250 for secondary schools. The performances have a commitment time of 60 minutes each. Actors require access to the venue 60 minutes prior to the performance time to set up, and 30 minutes to pack down. Schools can request a maximum of 3 performances per day. 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

The cost of the Brainstorm Productions program depends on whether the program is for primary or secondary audiences, and the number of student participants.

• For the primary school program with under 120 student participants, the program as a whole is $1,056.00 (including GST).
• For the primary school program with 121-280 student participants, the program is priced per student at $8.80 (including GST).
• For the secondary school program with under 110 student participants, the program as a whole is $1,149.50 (including GST).
• For the secondary school program with 111-250 student participants, the program is priced per student at $10.45 (including GST).

This program cost includes:

• pre- and post-performance resource pack (accessible via online teacher portal)
• 1-3 x 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 Yrs P-2, Yrs 3-6, Yrs 7-8 and Yrs 9-11, with extension activities for Yrs 5-6 and Yr 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 (Yrs P-6).
  • travel expenses.