Welcome to Barking Gecko Theatre Company’s Education Program.

Barking Gecko is a Perth based professional theatre company performing for young audiences. We specialise in performances and workshops that introduce students to the power of live performance and engage their interest in contemporary stories and themes. Performances for both Primary and High School levels are presented each year across the metropolitan area, and in 2009 our Hoods production will also tour the Kimberley and Pilbara regions of WA.

"In School" Touring Performances (Incursions)

Many of Barking Gecko's productions are designed to facilitate touring and are flexible enough to be performed at your school. Performances increase student access to the performing arts and are designed to inspire and educate, as well as develop an appreciation of the performing arts.

"In Theatre" Performances for Schools (Excursions)

Some shows are best viewed in a traditional theatre venue to allow for the full production values of lighting and sound.  These performances are designed to inspire and educate students, and develop their appreciation for the performing arts. Venues may include; Subiaco Arts Centre, Don Russell PAC (Thornlie), Kalamunda PAC, Kwinana PAC, Mandurah PAC, Midland Town Hall, Nexus Theatre (Murdoch University). 

Please download our excursion policy here .

Education Resources

Every Barking Gecko production is accompanied by a FREE Education Resource, written by current teaching staff and/or arts professionals. Resources are accessible via this website and teachers are given a code to access the documents after booking. All our Education Resources are designed to maximize learning opportunities by exploring key themes and issues from the play, linking the show directly with the curriculum framework, and providing innovative and fun pre and post performance activities. 

Workshops

Barking Gecko provides quality educational and recreational drama workshop sessions for schools. These are designed to either extend, or complement, your current teaching program. Workshops can be added to a performance booking (at extra cost), to enhance students' theatre experience, whilst being flexible enough to suit your individual needs. All workshops can be adapted for specific age groups, abilities and time frames. All Barking Gecko Tutors have a current Working with Children Check, and are arts professionals.

All of our in school workshops run with a maximum of 30 students per tutor, and a supervising teacher must be present at all times during the workshop. More tutors are available for larger groups on request.

!!!NEW for 2009!!! Show Specific Workshops

In 2009 we are presenting three workshop packages to accompany our shows Hoods, Gogo Fish and Fatty Wombat. Speak to our Education Manager about booking the show and workshop package for your students.

Learning Area Outcomes -  The Arts: Arts Ideas; English: Listening, Speaking, Understanding Language.

One hour workshop. Suitable for Primary and High School.

Specialist Workshops

Improvisation

Barking Gecko’s hit show Improvilcious (2007 & 2008) provides the inspiration for your students to create their own unique performance. Explore the art of improvisation through a wide variety of games and exercises to develop skills for creating fast, funny and physical theatre on the spot.

Learning Area Outcomes - The Arts: Arts Ideas; English: Listening, Speaking, Understanding Language.

One hour workshop. Suitable for Primary, High Schools & Vacation Care groups.

Movement / Physical Theatre

Gecko shows such as Dolphin Talk, Frog Opera and The Feather Surfers created new worlds through movement based theatre. In this workshop participants look at the basics of movement and explore the way they move, learning how this can be used in performance to create scenes and characters.

Learning Area Outcomes -  The Arts: Arts Ideas, Arts Skills & Responses; HPE: Skills for Physical Activity.

One hour workshop. Suitbale for Primary and High Schools.

Script writing

Participants work together with a tutor to explore script writing techniques and write their own piece of theatre. Suitable for high school students working on their solo performance as well as an outlet for creative thinking by all participants.

Learning Area Outcomes - The Arts: Arts Ideas; English: Writing, Listening, Speaking, Viewing, Reading.

Two hour workshop. Suitable for Upper Primary and High School.

Issue-based workshops

Participants use a variety of theatre techniques such as image theatre and forum theatre to explore issues facing them in today’s society.

Learning Area Outcomes -  HPE: Attitudes and Values; S & E: Interpersonal Skills, Investigation, Communication, Participation & Culture.

Two hour workshop. Suitable for High Schools.

Professional Development

Barking Gecko Theatre Company’s excellent Professional Development program provides the opportunity for teachers to undergo a highly practical and entertaining session with arts professionals. All sessions contain interactive, practical, ready to use exercises for the classroom. 

Two hour workshop. Themes / content are catered to suit your needs. Min. 6 teachers per session @ $55 per head (price packages can be negotiated for groups of ten or more).

For all workshop enquiries, contact Education Manager 9380 3080 or gecko@barkinggecko.com.au

!!!NEW FOR 2009!!! Project Residencies

School Productions
A Barking Gecko tutor is resident in your school for a term to work with all of your students to produce one of our scripts for a school production. This is a great opportunity for the whole school to get involved; not only do all the students share the stage but parents and teachers can assist in the design and construction of set, costume and props.

Theatre Residency
Have a tutor work with one of your classes over a six week period introducing your students to different aspects of theatre including puppetry or mask making, physical theatre, devising or script writing, and improvisation, then end the residency with an informal performance for friends and family.

Script writing residency
One of Gecko’s professional writers will be resident in your school for a minimum of 4 weeks to work with your class to create their own script. Our writer will edit the work ready for you to develop for performance with your class.

Contact Participation Coordinator, Emily Pearce, to discuss these residencies further on 9380 3080 or emily@barkinggecko.com.au