A GROUP of migrant students sailed to Ka-Troo and brought back an “It-Kutch, a Preep, and a Proo” a “Nerkle, a Nerd, and a Seersucker too!” as part of their English studies.
The AMES students, who are all new arrivals in Greater Dandenong, adapted the famous Dr Seuss story If I Ran A Zoo for the stage, performing at the Walker Street Gallery and La Mama Courthouse Theatre in Carlton on 27 June.
AMES manager of youth programs Margot Hennessy said the full-time students, from Afghanistan and Cambodia, used the introduction and conclusion of the Dr Seuss story, creating a new middle narrative based on their own histories and cultures.
“The students get a lot of confidence from performing, it grows their English skills enormously and teaches them teamwork.
“It also allows them to feel connected to the community. That’s why we perform at Walker Street, and it’s an opportunity for them to tell their own stories, and use their own music and dance.”
AMES CEO Cath Scarth said that research showed the overwhelming majority of migrants were keen to settle quickly into Australia, make connections and contribute to their local communities.
“The theatre program is a great way of introducing new arrivals to a unique aspect of Australia while helping them develop their language skills and make connections.”
– Narelle Coulter
