March E-News

Happy World Day of Theatre for Young People!

“I feel inspired and like my imagination has took me off to a new world… and it makes me feel like I can believe in myself and do new things and try my best. So that’s what I feel when I do theatre.” 

World Day of Theatre for Children and Young People has been celebrated by ASSITEJ International on 20 March since 2001. It is promoted through the message ‘take a child to the theatre today’ and “aims to raise awareness of the transformative power of theatre and performing arts in nurturing creativity, imagination, and empathy among young audiences worldwide.”

L: Paper Planet. Photo: Ai Ueda. R: Art Tree. Photo: Sarah Walker.

To mark the occasion in 2025, Polyglot asked some of our PIPS to reflect the importance of theatre. Polyglot Inspiring People Society (PIPS) is a group of young people who contribute to the testing of ideas in the creation of new work, and to the company’s continuing education of how young people think and collaborate. We asked them how they feel when they experience theatre, like Polyglot shows, and why it’s important for all children everywhere to be able to experience theatre. You can read their responses, with a foreword by Afsaneh Torabi, one of our Generator artists, here.

At home and abroad

Polyglot currently has a creative team in Singapore, delivering Pram People at Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay for March On 2025. Director Emily Tomlins and Sound Designer Lachan MacLeod arrived earlier for community engagement workshops with local families. Recordings from these were woven into the performance, embedding the experiences of Singaporean pram users into the show. It’s been a joy to transform the Esplanade Concourse, and we’re excited for the final weekend of the season.

“In our first session of the day we had a small child who was absolutely ready to participate. They took a panel off their pram to do their own version of wafting cloth choreography, then led the pink and yellow pram train!” Show report

While we’re in Singapore, Polyglot is embarking on a new cross-cultural collaboration with The Artground. Pass It On invites families to join artists from both countries in intergenerational workshops, to create, play and explore ideas for a brand-new interactive installation. Presented by the Esplanade, free sessions are taking place this Saturday – bookings essential.

In January, we delivered a long school holiday season of Ants at Melbourne Museum. With 60 performances, we reached more than 10,000 children and families, who delighted in discovering how they could engage with the big insects and their crumbs. Spotting families in antennae out and about in Melbourne was an unexpected highlight for our team!

L: Ants. Photo: Maisy Butchart. R: Art Tree. Photo: Cat Sewell.

February saw Art Tree premiere at Moorabbin Music + Arts. A gentle, creative Play Space with natural materials and markers, Art Tree invites families to find their magic, connect through colour, and draw – everywhere! Following its beautiful first season, we’re excited to see where Art Tree grows next.

Across the March long weekend, Paper Planet was presented by ArtPlay with Moomba Festival. More than 900 children and families joined us in free 30-min performances. Our magical forest of cardboard trees, in the cool of ArtPlay, offered a welcome respite in the busy Moomba thrum and throng, and many parents expressed gratitude. We were thrilled by several return visitors, including families who’d been part of Ants at the Museum!

Paper Planet. Photos: Lexie Wood.

Next month, When the World Turns will be presented by Lincoln Center in New York City as part of their internationally recognised, accessible Big Umbrella Festival. Our collaboration with Oily Cart (UK), When the World Turns was originally commissioned by Arts Centre Melbourne for Alter State 2022. The Lincoln Center season marks the production’s North American premiere.

Board Recruitment

Polyglot is currently seeking new Board Directors to support the company in achieving its strategic vision. We value different ideas, perspectives and backgrounds, and know the importance diversity plays in enriching both our organisation and our art. A policy is in place to reduce barriers to participation on Polyglot’s Board of Directors, with a range of supports available for eligible members to ensure equitable participation. Applications close 5pm, Friday 28 March. Learn more here.

Thank You

Polyglot’s tours to Singapore and USA have 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 of Pram People was supported by the Restart Investment to Sustain and Expand (RISE) Fund – an Australian Government initiative, and the City of Melbourne through the Arts and Creative Investment Partnerships fund and ArtPlay.

Ants at Melbourne Museum (2025) was supported by the City of Melbourne.

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.