May E-News

“Nature & play stitch together so much of what we do”

In the forest, tiny worlds meet giant worlds. Our imaginations breathe and our senses awaken. We talk underground. We whisper above. Listen. How does the forest call to you?

Polyglot is currently developing a new interactive show. Forest, directed by Cat Sewell, our Artistic Director & co-CEO, creates unique opportunities for children’s creative expression in an extraordinary outdoor setting, increasing their connection to nature and agency as environmental caretakers and artists.

This Saturday, children aged 4-9 and their adults are invited to join us at Gresswell Forest Reserve for free, participatory workshops. Together we will (re)discover the Bundoora bushland and the creatures and characters within, creating and playing in the wild spaces among the trees. These workshops are part of an extended creative process, and will contribute to the final show.

Forest. Photos: Claudia Sangiorgi Dalimore.

Nature Play Week

“The two strands of nature and play stitch together so much of what we do at Polyglot. We honour and celebrate nature through the thematic explorations in our work. We consider nature as we create and share our work, and we revel in the joy of watching children engage with, play in and connect to nature.”

Nature Play Week was established by the Kids in Nature Network in 2014. It is celebrated annually mid-April, and promoted through the message, ‘kids do better outside!’ Cat Sewell reflected on its significance: polyglot.org.au/nature-play-week-2025

Cubbyhood at Abbotsford Convent

This is our playful, creative project with children aged 3-5 years that investigates the experience of home, family and community from their perspective. In partnership with Abbotsford Convent, we are presenting free sessions for families. On 14-15 June, join us in the Oratory to explore storytelling and play through space-making. We will build cardboard cubbies with special windows that show who and what is important to us. These immersive sessions offer a curious, insightful record of children’s collective imaginings and reflections.

Cubbyhood. Photos: Suzanne Phoenix.

Polyglot on tour

“Our work is shared with audiences everywhere, from the world’s most prestigious theatres to the football grounds of regional Australia.” About Us, Polyglot Theatre

Saturday 5 April AEDT was a special day for Polyglot. When the World Turns, our collaboration with Oily Cart, originally commissioned by Arts Centre Melbourne for Alter State 2022, opened at Lincoln Center in New York City for Big Umbrella Festival. Arriving to a sold-out season, and 120 families on the waiting list was hugely exciting, and we were thrilled to connect with our audiences.

“A beautiful quote that came out of the day was one mum speaking on our moment where we echo to the audience: ‘It’s so powerful because it didn’t preference a type of language or communication’. Her son doesn’t speak, instead he communicates with sounds, but the echoing allowed him to feel like he was able to join the group.” Artist show report

Behind the scenes, When the World Turns at Lincoln Center. Photos: Rainbow Sweeny.

At the same time, Polyglot had a team in Shepparton / Yorta Yorta at Rumbalara Football Netball Club. Our first Game Day creative play and making workshop for the 2025 season took place alongside the Club’s 17^th annual Unity Cup, which celebrates the vital role of women in family, culture and community. Our ongoing Kids Collaboration with Rumbalara is deeply important to us, enriching how we work and the art that we make. It continues in 2025 with Growing Healthy Communities funding from VicHealth. This will support our delivery of eight Game Day workshops with the Club’s children and young people.

Polyglot & Rumbalara Kids Collaboration. Photos: Lexie Wood.

Thank You

Polyglot’s When the World Turns USA tour has been assisted by the Australian Government through Creative Australia, its principal arts investment and advisory body. Polyglot Theatre is also supported by the Victorian Government through Creative Victoria.

The original development and premiere of When the World Turns was supported by the UK/Australia Season Patrons Board, the British Council and the Australian Government as part of the UK/Australia Season, with further support from the Cassandra Gantner Foundation, State Trustees Australia Foundation, the Jennifer Prescott Family Foundation, the Marian and E.H. Flack Trust, ArtPlay, Arts Council England and ecoDynamics.

Polyglot’s Kids Collaboration with Rumbalara Football Netball Club is supported by VicHealth.