Leppington Public School’s first theatre experience with Monkey Baa
Recently, Monkey Baa worked closely with Leppington Public School to bring 70 students to the theatre for an unforgettable experience. For many, this was their first time seeing a live performance.
The challenge
Accessing theatre can be difficult for many schools, especially those with students from disadvantaged backgrounds. Leppington Public School, with a large number of foster care students, faced several barriers—the main barriers were transportation costs and logistics.
Through one of our staff members connected with the foster care system, we built a partnership with the school’s principal and several foster carers to make this trip happen.
Monkey Baa stepped in to arrange the buses, working with a local company to ensure everyone could attend. We even adjusted the timing of the show to suit the school’s schedule. After the performance, we sent our teaching artists to the school to run post-show workshops, making the experience even more impactful.
To top it off, we filmed the students, capturing their excitement and reactions.
One student said,
“I’ve never been to the theatre before. It was such a great experience.”
The impact
The feedback was incredible. Many of these children had never had the chance to see live theatre. One teacher shared,
"Without this program, our students wouldn't get these learning opportunities or be able to go to the theatre. This was essential for them."
Students were inspired, with one saying,
“I think all kids should be able to go to the theatre.”
The post-show workshops helped the children dive deeper into the themes they saw, sparking their imaginations and boosting their confidence.
Outcomes
Expanded access: 70 students from Leppington Public School experienced live theatre, many for the first time.
Creative engagement: Post-show workshops encouraged students to reflect on the performance and express their own creative ideas.
Emotional growth: The experience helped build confidence and emotional awareness among students.
Positive feedback: Teachers noticed an excitement and curiosity among students, with many asking to go back.
Finally…
At Monkey Baa, we believe in the power of theatre to spark creativity and change lives. This partnership with Leppington Public School shows just how important it is to break down barriers like cost and access, so every child can experience the magic of live performance.
