However for many young children, this experience is still waiting to happen.
This year, children, families, teachers and early childhood communities have the opportunity to experience one of Australia’s most beloved picture books through live theatre.
The story Where Is the Green Sheep? by Mem Fox and Judy Horacek has been transformed into a vibrant live theatre production designed especially for children aged 3–8.
Attending a professional theatre plays an important role in children’s development and their relationship with the Arts. Watching artists bring characters to life helps children understand how stories can move beyond the page into exciting and imaginative experiences, that linger beyond the day of the show.
For teachers, it allows us to broaden our curriculum, moving beyond the classroom walls to support children’s learning, growth and development.
An excursion to a live performance helps children develop a sense of belonging in public cultural spaces, showing them that places like theatres and galleries are welcoming environments for them too.
No need for words!
One of the most impressive features of this production is that it is largely non-verbal and highly visual. The story unfolds through movement, imagery and playful stagecraft, making it accessible for young audiences and inclusive for young children from different backgrounds and abilities.
Children don’t need to rely on words alone – they can follow the story through visual cues, watching the interactions between the actors, the puppets and the images.
There are many beautiful, relatable and hilarious moments in the production, all without spoken words, bringing joy and laughter to audiences young and old.
Puppetry and Animation
The use of puppetry throughout the performance is the key to its success.
Puppets can do what humas cannot – and we see the sheep defying gravity, challenging size constraints and transforming between a puppet and animation.
The puppets have been carefully designed to mimic the illustrations from the book, and range in scale to capture the many different types of sheep seen in the story.
Children will immediately connect to the puppets, as they are full of personality and full of mischief and humour.
The production also incorporates clever animation and digital imagery to interpret the story. These visual elements mimic the colourful illustrations in the book, and from a theatrical point of view, provide clever transitions that help tell the story for young audiences.
Why Arts Education matters
The Arts nurture creative thinking, imagination and allow us to communicate ideas and make new meanings.
They are critical for children’s growth and development, offering ways to develop social, emotional, physical and cognitive skills.
Quality Arts education experiences allow children to develop skills to take into every aspect of their lives, far beyond classroom walls.
Research suggests that going to the theatre nurtures children’s sense of connection and belonging, encourages wonder and curiosity and develops empathy and understanding.
So whether you are an educator planning a group excursion or a family looking for a joyful experience, Where Is the Green Sheep? offers something special: a chance to laugh, wonder and search together for that elusive Green Sheep, allowing us to create opportunities for children to make their own memories when the lights dim, the curtain rises and imagination takes centre stage.
