This school holidays, Dandenong’s Fusion Theatre is leading an ‘adventure’ tailored for children with disabilities and neurodiversity.
The performance Let’s Go Exploring is one of its kind in Fusion’s over 25 years of creating original theatre for locals.
The interactive, multi-sensory bush camping adventure inside the theatre will allow participants to take part as junior park rangers while exploring sensory play, music, creative movement and puppetry.
Artistic Director Jo Raphael says it’s the perfect opportunity for families, carers and children to enjoy together.
“Our aim is that the performance will spark imagination and joy, as children experience a camping adventure in the great outdoors, all through the magic of theatre, and all in under an hour.”
Co-director Liliana Dalton says they wanted to provide accessible opportunities for neurodiverse children in a relaxed environment.
“We are passionate about building an exciting world that participants can have agency to explore on their own terms and creating an imaginative experience that families can be part of together.”
As part of Greater Dandenong’s Children’s Festival (20 September to 11 October) the 45-minute immersive performance is designed for neurodiverse children aged 5 and above, their families and carers.
The project developed last year with workshops with children with disabilities to tease out ideas and trial performances for young audiences at Walker Street Gallery and Arts Centre.
This year Fusion have further developed the performance which has been proudly supported by the City of Greater Dandenong through their Strategic Project Grants.
“Sensory theatre is highly interactive and participant led and engages multiple senses throughout. There are lots of elements including things to touch, smell, look at and listen to,” Raphael said.
“It focuses on creating an imaginative world that audiences actively explore in their own way and has less of a focus on words and narrative than traditional theatre.”
Fusion Theatre is Dandenong’s very own inclusive theatre company made up of adult actors with and without disability.
Audiences for each performance are kept very small, to help ensure the performances are accessible and lots of fun.
Let’s Go Exploring is at Black Box Theatre, Walker Street Gallery and Arts Centre, Dandenong on 28 September, 11am and 2pm, 29 September, 9am, 11am and 2pm, and 30 September, 9am and 11am; $5 per child, parents/carers free. Bookings: events.humanitix.com/let-s-go-exploring
