Patch will brighten classrooms across the Eyre Peninsula as Spark: Glow & Tell visits schools from 30 October to 17 November, performing to students from preschool to year six.

Over three weeks, performers Edgell Junior Edgell and Evyenia Stefanidis will travel 2,300 km to perform Glow & Tell a total of 87 times, reaching out to more than 1800 students in 20 disadvantaged schools. The tour will foster connections with communities across the region, including special appearances at D’faces in Whyalla and family performances at the Port Augusta Library on Friday 17 November.

Within an inflatable tent, Glow & Tell works its magic, transforming a typical classroom into an intimate performance space. Students are invited inside to watch stories come to life as the artist illustrates a tale in glowing UV light, drawing pictures on the interior. Following the performance, students create and illustrate their own stories within the glowing confines of the tent.

The creators and performers of Glow & Tell, Edgell Junior Edgell and Evyenia Stefanidis, have each crafted unique performances based on their personal experience. Edgell recounts a story about his cousin embarking on an adventure in Vanuatu, while Evyenia shares her Greek heritage narrating a story about her little sister’s birthday at the beach. These stories are steeped in culture and language, offering an engaging approach to exploring these themes in the classroom.

Patch Theatre Creative Producer Sasha Zahra says: “Glow & Tell offers students a hands-on way to connect with arts, science, and literacy through Patch’s captivating design-led style. Diverse stories in the classrooms help promote understanding, equity, cultural awareness and prepare students for a diverse world.”

Over 4,000 students across South Australia have enjoyed Patch’s Spark in-school touring program, with over half of them residing in regional areas. Spark has received an outstanding response, with many students and teachers expressing how it has impacted them. A Year 3 student enthusiastically stated, “I enjoyed it VERY MUCH”, while a regional teacher shared that her students were “filled with wonder at the way he [Edgell] was able to tell his stories with pictures”.

All performances across this regional tour are presented by Patch at no cost to the schools thanks to funding from the Department for Education and the generous support of FWH Foundation, Lang Foundation, and an anonymous foundation.

The Lang Family Foundation said: “Glow & Tell removes barriers to arts access by bringing arts experiences directly to the classroom. We’re proud to support Patch in reaching young audiences across regional South Australia.” 

Glow & Tell will visit schools in Lower Eyre Peninsula, Far West, and the Iron Triangle in Term 4 (30 Oct – 17 Nov). Additionally Glow & Tell will be available to families at Port Augusta Library on Friday 17 Nov. Delivering Spark in schools across regional SA is made possible thanks to funding from the Department for Education and the generous support of FWH Foundation, Lang Foundation, and an anonymous foundation.

PERFOMANCE DATES:

School Sessions

·       30 Oct – 16 Nov – various schools

General Public Sessions

·       Friday 17 Nov – Port Augusta Library