Brainstorm
BRAINSTORM …
Have you ever been given an opportunity to do something truly amazing?
In June 2018 I helped rewrite a play about the teenage brain. Rather a performance that explored the relationships between youth and parents in the context of science and the teenage brain.
Having not written one before, or for that matter studied Drama at school, naturally I jumped at the chance.
BRAINSTORM, the original play, is a collaboration between neuroscientist Professor Sarah Jane Blakemore and the UK youth theatre group Company Three. The TED talk from Professor Blakemore is here. It’s truly inspiring.
Black Box Creatives and Brainstorm
Inspired, Dubbo’s youth theatre group, Black Box Creatives (BBCs), adapted and moulded the UK version, retaining the complexity of teenage relationships within the structure of how the brain actually develops.
Collaboration began in earnest. Using the original production scaffold, after purchasing the rights of course, a new production began.
The rewrite took on the flavours of regional Australia. And localised the messaging. A powerful script emerged, with the cast taking every opportunity to lend their own voices to the script.
The Dubbo BRAINSTORM explores HOPE.
The performance is a story through the eyes of Australian youth. An experience rather than a traditional play, that is, there’s no clear start or middle. And the ending is a thought provoking scene that carries the conversation out the door and into the family living room.
Complimented by a soundtrack that spans generations, as well as provocative light sequences, the audience remembers and participates, rather than observe from afar.
In fact, audience members are already part of the play, before the ‘opening scene’ as cast members enter the stage.
What’s so special about Brainstorm?
At the crux of it, BRAINSTORM gives space for our desire to establish a safe platform in the discussion of teen mental wealth. And opportunity to continue the conversation into community, schools and households, long after the performance has ended.
At the time, I was parenting older teenagers. Working on the play from the inside out, asked me to consider some of my belief systems, whilst simultaneously looking back to my teenage years. I was a little nervous at how the subject matter would be received.
You see, this kind of performance had never been done in our town. To be honest, we were all unsure how Dubbo audiences would react.
Would we, as a community, have capacity to sort through our own feelings as adults and have the mental discipline and openness to understand where our kids were coming from?
So, we asked the local media for support. Follow the link here to an interview with a local newspaper about the upcoming production.
The performance
Two shows were held in DRAMA, a small theatre at Western Plains Cultural Centre on 13-14 July 2018. We believe this was the first time BRAINSTORM had been performed outside of the UK and the air was buzzing with nervous excitement.
The success and positive feedback was astounding. The theatre was full. Conversations continued long after curtain close. Our community felt the ‘aha’ moment. Because, let’s face it. Delving into our own teenage past, we understand our own behaviours too!
And this knowledge creates a certain kind of freedom from our own past.
Brainstorm 2
We were so happy with the first production, we did it again!
Yes that’s right! The play was reworked for a second round of performances on 30 November and 1 December, 2018.
The cast were very excited to be creating another version of Brainstorm and as we’d worked together before, ideas were flowing for the new production.
In this production we explored wider, asking the teenage cast to stretch their hopes, fears and dreams further.
There were many emotional moments. We wondered would we be able to deliver again?
Thank you
On a personal note, I’d like to thank BRAINSTORM’s Director, Camilla Ward of Black Box Creatives and Shanae Gosper Assistant Director for this exciting opportunity. As well as Andrew Glassop, then Manager of Western Plains Cultural Centre for your support. And for all things tech and lighting, Lee Hilder … we couldn’t have done it with out you Lee!
To the amazing cast – thank you for trusting me with your precious, nervous thoughts. And for giving me the freedom to put them into words and actions. I think you’re all amazing humans.
Finally, these productions were made possible with support from CREATE NSW, Orana Arts Inc and the Western Plains Cultural Centre.