The Sydney Opera House today announced the summer program for its purpose-built Centre for Creativity, with a line-up of 17 performances and participatory events – a mix of free and paid activities – including brand new experiences and regular favourites. Running from Decenber 2023 – February 2024, the program will feature stop motion animation sessions, dance, drawing, queer youth artist programs, spoken word poetry, a virtual reality experience, and much more.
Sydney Opera House Head of Children, Families and Creative Learning, Tamara Harrison says: “We’re thrilled to be entering our third year of the Centre for Creativity with another summer full of workshops and experiences for people of all ages, from babies through to adults and lifelong learners. This season will see us collaborate with London International Animation Festival to deliver a new Stop Motion Animation Workshop, and introduce multidisciplinary workshop MISC. for LGBTQIA+ teens and their allies. There is creativity for everyone this summer at Sydney Opera House.”
Program highlights include:
For young people & adults (15-55+ years)
- MISC. || 16 December, 17 February (NEW) – a new multidisciplinary workshop curated by award-winning filmmaker Claud Bailey, where emerging and established queer artists will mentor a group of LGBTQIA+ teenagers and their allies (ages 15-19) on various art forms, from queer still life drawings to pride poetry.
Please note: workshop participants are drawn from an expression of interest process for young artists seeking development and support. - A GATSBY soirée: Jazz Dance Workshop || 9 December (NEW) – a dance party for people aged 16+ of all dance abilities with choreography inspired by the Opera House’s season of GATSBY: At The Green Light.
- Spoken Word Poetry Workshops with Bankstown Poetry Slam || 18 February – creative writing workshops for ages 18+ inspired by the great storytellers of the Opera House and Bankstown Poetry Slam, helping to build skills in slam poetry, writing and presentation.
- Spring for Seniors Dance Theatre Class with Diane Busuttil || 15 December, 2 February – these popular social and creative workshops return for ages 55+, using gentle dance expressions to help build strength, mobility, balance and memory.
For children and families (6-14 years old)
- Stop Motion Animation Workshop || 19 – 21 January (NEW) – in collaboration withLondon International Animation Festival, 6-14 year-olds will join award-winning animator and filmmaker Jelena Sinik to create their very own stop motion film.
- Astronomical Crowns || 10 December (FREE) – a festive workshop led by artist Anney Bounpraseuth, who will teach children 7-11 years and their families how to create a starry head piece inspired by the Christmas Tree Cluster constellation or star pattern in space.
- Design Your Own Dragon || 4 February (FREE) – inspired by the Lunar New Year, 7-11 years-olds and their families are invited to an interactive drawing and painting workshop to design their own dragon with artist Anney Bounpraseuth.
For babies (0-2 years old)
- Lullaby Love || 17 February – led by singer-songwriter Angie Who, babies 0-6 months and their carers can immerse themselves in an intimate musical experience, helping to strengthen infant bond, increase social connection and decrease stress.
- Baby Music Jam || 12 December, 30 January – an interactive introduction to music for our littlest audiences and their carers. Artist Simona Green will help babies aged 0-2 discover the world of music, developing both cognitive and emotional skills through singing and playing instruments.
For all ages
- SOH BUILD Conversation Night – ‘The Originals’ || November 30 – a thought-provoking conversation with some of the Opera House’s original engineers and builders. Audiences will also be taken on a virtual reality experience, imagining they are on site at the time of the building’s construction.
- Big Heart Sing || 29 January – a popular free monthly choir for like-minded music lovers to experience the joyous power of communal song, with a different repertoire each month – from the Beatles to Beethoven and ABBA to opera.
- Costume Pardi Mardi Gradi || 24 February (adults), Costume Pardi || 25 February (kids and families): Workshops in celebration of Mardi Gras, with sustainable fashion designers Sally Jackson and Gary Bigeni, where participants learn how to upcycle materials to create a glamorous, unique, custom-made tote bag. Sessions will be held for families with kids 5+ and adults 16+.
