Carrathool Shire Council and a number of other Councils in the western Riverina of New South Wales are involved with the Cities for Climate Protection program. A pilot theatre project is helping those communities explore climate change issues. Science and theatre are an odd mix, but one that has proved to be an effective and fun way of getting science issues across to young people. Artistic director with Canadian based Evergreen Theatre Society, Tara Ryan, was in the region recently conducting workshops at local schools.
Using the school science curriculum as a reference and students’ creativity as inspiration to explore science issues, Tara is able to communicate the ‘science’ message in an engaging and entertaining way.
“Evergreen Theatre Society is a touring, educational theatre company dedicated to science theatre of the natural world,” Tara Ryan said. “We create original musical productions aimed at getting young audiences learning more science. We believe the best way to inspire understanding about our environment is to reach out to tomorrow’s decision makers.
“In this way I am able to focus on the science around the climate change phenomenon that we are experiencing.
“The most exciting way to do this is with live children’s theatre, and in an age of multimedia and electronics, evil methane characters and ‘Ozone Woman’ are a refreshing and engaging approach to challenge issues like climate change. Our goal is not to merely hand over information, but also to inspire our audiences to seek more knowledge and understanding through a renewed sense of wonder and excitement about the world.”
Tara Ryan’s last major workshop while in Australia was with the Hunter School of Performing Arts in Newcastle. She had four days to develop an outdoor performance staged at lunch time on Thursday 28 November in the Newcastle Civic Square as part of the Solar Harvest Conference Expo.
Tara holds a Bachelor of Education majoring in science education as well as a degree in theatre. She has been a professional natural history interpreter for almost 15 years in Canada and is a co-founder of Evergreen Theatre Society.
Tara was brought to Australia as part of a pilot program initiated by Carrathool Shire Council’s Tourism and Economic Development Officer, Hank Van Apeldoorn, and under the auspices of and supported by South West Arts Inc. Additional funding was received from a diverse range of sources including the Year of the Outback, the Australian Greenhouse Office, Local Government FOCUS and Regional Arts NSW.
School workshops were also held at Hay War Memorial High School, St Joseph’s and Central Schools at Hillston, Goolgowi Public School and Deniliquin South Primary.
