The Tree of Life - Stories of the refugee experience
Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre
1 Casula Road, Casula
Friday 12 (1pm & 7pm) & Saturday 13 (7pm) November 2010
You are warmly invited to attend any of three performances of this theatre and mentoring project for refugee young people living in Sydney. Feel free to contact us for any enquiries.
To view the flyer click here
MEDIA RELEASE
HOLD FOR RELEASE UNTIL MONDAY 25 OCTOBER, 9.00AM
ATTENTION EDITOR
THE TREE OF LIFE
Stories of the Refugee Experience
November 12 & 13 - Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre
At a time when refugees and detention centres are in the news we tend to forget the human side of the refugee debate.
The Tree of Life is a montage of true stories developed and performed by young refugees from Iraq, Afghanistan and the Democratic Republic of Congo who have settled in South Western Sydney.
“I am amazed at the stories these young people tell. They are heart-breaking, inspiring and often laugh-out-loud funny!” said psychologist, Catherine Maguire-Donvito.
“The Tree of Life” is used as a metaphor to represent the different stages of the students’ lives, from the past and the present to dreams for the future. It helps to redefine the refugee experience from one of pain and suffering to one of survival and triumph.
The on-stage performance, however, is only one part of the Tree of Life Project, which has artistic as well as therapeutic aims.
The project spans two years (2010 and 2011), with performances in both years. The first year will involve a performance and the training of selected participants as mentors. In the second year, selected members of the first cast will act as mentors for new participants.
Ms Maguire-Donvito, who initiated the project, is co-directing “The Tree of Life” with Miller Technology High School Drama teacher, Ruth Hartcher-O’Brien. STARTTS psychologist, Max Schneider is providing counselling support.
“Drama provides wonderful opportunities for healing and building resilience”, said Ms Maguire-Donvito. “It provides the skills and the confidence to become contributing members of our multicultural Australian community.”
The Tree of Life Project is generously supported by Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre, The Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors (STARTTS) and Miller Technology High School.
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CONTACT INFORMATION
Catherine Maguire-Donvito
Coordinator Tree of Life Theatre and Mentoring Project
Email: c.maguire-donvito@hotmail.com
Mobile: 0414741438
THE TREE OF LIFE THEATRE AND MENTORING PROJECT
What makes this fabulous project different from all the other wonderful performances of heart-rending refugee stories of suffering and triumph? Stories, which stir your heart, open your mind, and leave you feeling inspired…
Because the Tree of Life Project will be such a performance, with local young refugees telling their stories, through live performance (movement, spoken voice, mime, Playback Theatre, dramatic monologue, dance) and multi media (an installation, photos and video).
However, The Tree of Life Project has off-stage layers. The project spans two years (2010 and 2011), with performances in both years. The first year will involve a performance and the training of participants as mentors. In the second year, selected members of the first cast will act as mentors for new participants.
Benefits
In addition to emotional healing from trauma and improved self confidence, the project also aims to assist marginalised young people feel more connected to the Australian mainstream community and provides skills which are highly valued by future employers.
Project Partners include:
• Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre
• Miller Technology High School
• Auburn Community Development Network
• Department of Community Services who have agreed to assist with training in mentoring skills in the second phase of the project.
• STARTTS (Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Sufferers). STARTTS has agreed to provide a refugee caseworker for 3 hours a week in 2010 to assist with project facilitation and any counselling needs.
Project Leaders:
• Project Coordination and Co Artistic Director: Catherine Maguire-Donvito, Counselling Psychologist and School Counsellor.
• Co Artistic Director: Ruth Hartcher-O’Brien – Drama Teacher and Teacher of English as a Second Language.
• Counselling Support: Max Schneider – Psychologist and Education Liaison Officer at STARTTS.
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120 BIRDS