We are bringing the magic of theatre directly to classrooms across the Far North in June with Spark: Glow & Tell, following successful performances in the Yorke Peninsula in May. Across the two regions, we will perform in regional classrooms of 23 schools, reaching 1,500 students from preschool to year six.

Performers Edgell Junior Edgell and Evyenia Stefanidis have already presented Glow & Tell at schools and kindergartens on the Yorke Peninsula, including Kadina, Wallaroo, Stansbury and Moonta. The tour now continues across Far-North South Australia, from 3–14 June, covering 2,000km to reach 11 regional and remote schools including Roxby Downs Area School and Maree Aboriginal School (654km from Adelaide).

Education Minister Blair Boyer MP, who will join the tour in Andamooka and Roxby Downs on Wednesday 12 June, said: “Ensuring that children and young people, regardless of where they live, have the opportunity to experience the arts is important. I’m really pleased that Patch has prioritised access of live theatre for students that live in remote regions as it provides them with different learning opportunities and experiences.”

Within an inflatable tent, Glow & Tell works its magic, transforming a typical classroom into an intimate performance space. Students begin by watching artists illustrate glowing UV light tales before they go on to create their own glowing artworks within the tent. Performers Edgell and Evyenia, have each created 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 an immersive experience right in their classrooms. This beautiful work seamlessly blends arts, science, and literacy through Patch’s unique style, providing students with a space to contemplate diverse stories and backgrounds. Taking the show out to regional areas is particularly important to us and returning to the Yorke Peninsula after over 10 years, adds an extra layer of excitement."

Over 5,800 students across South Australia have enjoyed Spark with thousands more to experience the performance in 2024.

Delivering Spark in schools across regional South Australia is made possible thanks to funding from the Department for Education and the generous support of FWH Foundation and an anonymous foundation.