Abracadabra! Become enchanted with Geelong Arts Centre's 2022 Family Magic program

MEDIA RELEASE • 17 DECEMBER 2021

Proudly supported by Major Artistic Partner, Deakin University, Geelong Arts Centre’s Family Magic program returns in 2022 with a diverse range of fantastic family-friendly productions.

Consisting of six brilliantly dynamic, engaging and accessible performances, the program is designed to captivate, inspire and entertain children under 12, as well as their parents, siblings, grandparents and carers.

Running from March through to August, the enticing 2022 programs consists of a variety of musical and theatrical experiences, literary favourites coming to life, and for the very first time, an immersive performance specially designed for children with a broad range of access needs.

For many children in the G21 region, the Family Magic program provides their first theatrical experience, and Geelong Arts Centre takes great pride in helping families spark a love for the arts that introduces their little ones to a world of limitless possibilities.

Committed to making arts experiences accessible to all, the program also offers two 12pm Relaxed Performances.

Relaxed Performances welcome audiences who would benefit from a more relaxed environment – this can include but is not limited to people with autism, sensory sensitivities, learning disabilities or dementia, as well as those living with anxiety or who have experienced trauma. More information on Relaxed Performances can be found over page.

Kicking off the program in March, celebrated music educator, presenter, author and composer/arranger Karen Kyriacou hits Geelong Arts Centre to present Melbourne Symphony Orchestra’s Jam for Juniors: Swan Lake.

Suited to children aged 0 - 5 years, explore, play and join in at this popular 30-minute musical workshop.

Then in April, never underestimate the determination of a child! In Slingsby’s Emil and the Detectives, based on the 1929 Novella by Erich Kastner. Young Emil catches a train to visit family in the big city and something valuable is stolen. But can this bunch of kids work together to uncover and outsmart the true criminal?

Come May, join CDP Kids for the enchanting adventure of Little and Big Nutbrown Hare as they discover the magic and colour of the seasons in a dazzling new stage adaptation of Sam McBratney’s beloved Guess How Much I Love You books.

In June, created by pioneering theatre makers Sensorium Theatre and suitable for children with a broad range of access needs, including those with multiple and complex needs and those on the autism spectrum, Whoosh! is an immersive and multi-sensory performance that puts children at the centre of the action. Kids board a stunning custom-built spaceship to work as a team and co-pilot an intergalactic adventure.

July will see young readers delight in witnessing Sheena Knowles and Rod Clements’ much-loved picture book Edward The Emu be brought to life on stage by Monkey Baa Theatre Company.

Finally, in Geelong Arts Centre’s inaugural collaboration with the Australian Chamber Orchestra, There’s A Sea In My Bedroom weaves together captivating storytelling with an exquisite score. Adapted from the picture book by Margaret Wild and illustrated by Jane Tanner, this immersive performance captures the magic of a child’s fantasy world and provides the perfect introduction to live classical music.

Geelong Arts Centre’s 2022 Family Magic program is proudly supported by principal partner, Creative Victoria, and Major Artistic Partner, Deakin University.

Capacity is strictly limited – get in quick!
For full program details and to book, visit geelongartscentre.org.au/family-magic-2022.

Bookings can be made via the website, or by phoning the Box Office on 1300 251 200 between 10:00am and 3:00pm, Monday to Friday.

Please note, Geelong Arts Centre will be closed for two weeks fromCOB Tuesday 21 December for the Christmas break and will reopen on Tuesday 4 January, 2021. During this time, tickets will be available to purchase via online bookings only.

Geelong Arts Centre is moving to e-ticket delivery for Family Magic 2022. Confirmation of your booking will be emailed to you immediately, and all e-tickets for performances will be emailed to you three days prior to the performance.

Geelong Arts Centre scrupulously adheres to COVIDSafe principles, including strongly recommending wearing face masks for patrons aged 12 years and above, provision of ample sanitisation stations, contactless QR check-in and cashless points of service.

Visitors aged 18 years and over attending a Geelong Arts Centre event will need to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination as a condition of entry.

For the most up-to-date information regarding current COVID Safety measures, conditions of entry and what to expect on site, visit the Geelong Arts Centre website.

For a show-by-show program breakdown, see over page.

QUOTES ATTRIBUTABLE

“Geelong Arts Centre takes immense pride in providing young people with a window into the world of the arts and making world-class arts experiences accessible to the many diverse families across our region.”

Geelong Arts Centre CEO and Creative Director, Joel McGuinness

“We are delighted to welcome children and families of all ages, abilities and backgrounds to engage with, and be inspired by, creativity across so many artforms.

The Family Magic program offers immersive, imaginative and creative experiences, that blur the boundaries between actor and audience whilst creating magical moments that spark joy and laughter.”

Geelong Arts Centre Senior Producer – Families, Youth & Creative Learning, Kelly Clifford

THE PROGRAM

JAMS FOR JUNIORS: SWAN LAKE
MELBOURNE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

19 MAR | 10AM, 11:30AM & 1PM

STUDIO 4, GEELONG ARTS CENTRE
SUITABLE FOR AGES 0 – 5
RUN TIME 35 MINS + 10 MINS ‘MEET THE INSTRUMENTS’

EMIL & THE DETECTIVES
SLINGSBY

5 APR | 7PM

STUDIO 4, GEELONG ARTS CENTRE
SUITABLE FOR AGES 7+
RUN TIME 70 MINS

GUESS HOW MUCH I LOVE YOU
CDP KIDS

14 MAY | 10AM, 12PM (RELAXED PERFORMANCE) & 3PM

STUDIO 4, GEELONG ARTS CENTRE
SUITABLE FOR AGES 3+
RUN TIME 55 MINS

WHOOSH!
SENSORIUM THEATRE & PERFORMING LINES WA

4 JUN | 12PM & 2PM

STUDIO 4, GEELONG ARTS CENTRE
SUITABLE FOR AGES 5-9 (LEARNING AGE) & 5+ (CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES)
RUN TIME 60 MINS
AUDIENCE RESTRICTED TO 14 CHILDREN & THEIR CARERS

EDWARD THE EMU
MONKEY BAA THEATRE COMPANY

29 JUN | 6:30PM

30 JUN | 12PM (RELAXED PERFORMANCE) & 2:30PM

COSTA HALL, DEAKIN UNIVERSITY
SUITABLE FOR AGES 4+
RUN TIME 50 MINS

THERE’S A SEA IN MY BEDROOM
AUSTRALIAN CHAMBER ORCHESTRA

23 AUG | 5PM

STUDIO 4, GEELONG ARTS CENTRE
SUITABLE FOR AGES 3+
RUN TIME 45 MINS

RELAXED PERFORMANCES

Relaxed Performances welcome audiences who would benefit from a more relaxed environment – this can include but is not limited to people with autism, sensory sensitivities, learning disabilities or dementia, as well as those living with anxiety or who have experienced trauma.

The atmosphere is non-judgmental, and noisy enthusiasm is embraced. Audience members can also bring their headphones to reduce noise if they wish.

For Relaxed Performances, the house lights are left on (dimmed), the auditorium doors stay open, and some technical elements may be modified, for example, strong lighting or sound effects are moderated.

TICKETS & BOOKINGS

TICKET PRICES

ADULTS: $32

CHILDREN: $22

GROUPS OF 6 OR MORE: $25

BOOKINGS

geelongartscentre.org.au/family-magic-2022