Impact

Polyglot Theatre facilitates opportunities and experiences for children to play, create and lead. These empower and build children’s confidence in their natural ability to follow their own impulses, make decisions, and interpret and make meaning of the world they live in.

Polyglot recognises that a child with confidence in their own creativity is better equipped to grow into a resourceful, self-determined, resilient adult.

Creativity and making choices are intrinsically entwined and involve all of our thinking, feeling, sensing and intuitive capacities. Being confident in making choices for yourself, and trusting these choices, are important parts of a child’s development as they make their way in the world, learning to be accountable. Centering children in our artistic processes expands Polyglot’s approach to making theatre, and changes adults’ expectations of a child’s capability.

Participation in the arts also has positive impacts on children’s education, interpersonal skills, sense of belonging, and mental health – especially important as we emerge from the pandemic. Supporting art made with and for children directly empowers children by creating a robust foundation for their bright futures. It validates their contribution now, for who they are and for what they offer. Human beings, not human becomings.

There is a deep and powerful link between the arts and the well-being of children and young people. We work with emotions, curiosity and ideas, enabling exploration, risk-taking, vulnerability and delight. We are nimble and responsive to the energy and desire lines of children. We can offer safety for confidences and wildness for those who wish to fling themselves into the fray. We know what young people have to offer and how we can learn from them.

Sue Giles AM

Evaluations

Polyglot has commissioned outside academic evaluation about our work and its impact since 2009. This has resulted in numerous reports encompassing the full scope of our activity. Findings have often led to significant change in the company and within communities we work with.

We are proud of the company’s commitment to evaluation across the years. It provides us with rich insight into the impact of our work on children, their communities and the value of making arts experiences with and for young people. It also offers important context for our societal responsibility to uphold the rights of children and young people to access arts and culture and to self-expression and participation, as per Articles 13 and 31 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

5678 Film Club

The researchers conducted a mixed-methods investigation to evaluate the outcomes and processes of 5678 Film Club during 2017–2019. Findings were mapped against current developmental theory to determine mechanisms of change within the Film Club program, and to identify future opportunities.

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Doing Polyglot

A longitudinal evaluation of the seven-year collaboration between Mahogany Rise Primary School and Polyglot Theatre, based on data collected throughout, and interviews conducted in 2017 with participants and key stakeholders who were involved at some point with the partnership.

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Separation Street

A study of the development of Polyglot Theatre and The Suitcase Royale’s experiential theatre experience for children and adults 2013-2014.