Elmo's Circus Dream is a must-see show of laughter, acrobatics, and imagination! Join Elmo and friends for an unforgettable circus adventure. Don't miss the magic! 

Sunday 10 March | 10:30am & 1pm | GPAC Main Theatre

It all begins with Elmo's captivating bedtime story about the circus. As Elmo falls asleep, he is magically transported to a colourful world, where he is warmly greeted by his friends Abby, Cookie Monster, Bert, and Ernie. The show bursts into high energy as the talented cast sings and dances to the iconic Sesame Street theme song, but with a twist - they are embarking on an exciting adventure to the circus! With their vibrant costumes and catchy tunes, they express their deep desire to join the circus and become part of its magical experience. From hilarious clowning and daring stunt attempts to mesmerising dog acts and captivating dance routines, the stage comes alive with their boundless energy, skill, and infectious enthusiasm.  

But the excitement doesn't stop there! Brace yourself as internationally renowned circus performers take the stage, showcasing their extraordinary talents. Prepare to be spellbound by their impressive acrobatic displays, jaw dropping juggling acts, and mind-bending illusions that will leave you wondering in awe at their incredible feats. 

'Elmo's Circus Dream' is more than just a show – it's an immersive experience that ignites the imaginations of children, encourages self-expression, and teaches valuable life lessons in a fun and engaging way. Join Elmo and his Sesame Street friends as they transport you to a world where dreams truly come to life, where laughter and amazement await at every turn. Get ready to be dazzled as the magic of the circus unfolds before your eyes, leaving you with unforgettable memories and a renewed belief in the power of dreams. 

Scrunch, rip, twist, tear! 

Wednesday 3 July | 11:45am | GPAC Town Hall Theatre

How many things can you do with a piece of paper? This workshop is based on Bunraku-style puppetry, a traditional Japanese form of theatre which involves multiple puppeteers working closely together to operate one puppet. Workshop participants will start by making a unique puppet out of paper. They will then learn techniques for bringing their puppet to life, either as individuals or as a team. Each group will work on short performances which are presented to the group. Participants will leave the workshop with a range of performance skills, which can be applied to any kind of puppetry.  

Little Wing Puppets have facilitated workshops with thousands of young people in every state and territory of Australia, as well as overseas. They believe that young people deserve access to the arts, wherever they live. They’re passionate about passing on their skills so that children can learn to create their own worlds through puppetry. 

A Detective Story, told with Puppetry, where you help solve the case. 

Wednesday 3 July | 10:30am | GPAC Town Hall Theatre

A Little Bit of Blue is an interactive environmental detective story, told with puppetry. As well as unravelling a mystery, it involves learning about the unique habits of an extraordinary Australian animal, the Satin Bowerbird, and their fascination for the colour blue. It is a fun frolicking mix of Detective Noir, slapstick, with some interesting facts thrown in. 

Mavis’s world is turned upside-down by small disappearances. Something has gone missing and is nowhere to be found. Mrs Hooley has been looking everywhere. But it’s not just today. Every day a new thing seems to disappear. Little things. A $10 note. Clothes pegs. A ball of wool. It’s troubling at first, but the thief then takes it one step too far 

Mavis calls in a Detective to investigate.  The Detective, Harry McGee, an adorable fool, makes a mess of the investigation, and the children love always being one step of ahead of him. They set a trap for the burglar. A stake out is required. In the dead of night, and the Detective indeed finds something peculiar.... The children’s role is to help him solve the case. 

Jenny Ellis, a puppeteer of more than twenty years, weaves the whole mystery together, sometimes playing three characters at once. The young audience will gasp with surprise, sigh with the sadness, shout in outrage, cheer with triumph, and dance with joy as they follow the sneaky bowerbird on his journey to find love. 

A delightful show! Very clever and amusing – both for young and old. Jenny Ellis is clearly a very talented performer! Congratulations to all involved and thank you for a wonderfully engaging performance. 

~ Max, audience member, Northcote Kid’s Festival 

Keeping Aussie kids fit and heathy! An interactive and fun performance for children and families!

Tuesday 9 April | 11am | GPAC Little Theatre

Snowy is becoming more beautiful every day and The Wicked Queen is not happy! She has decided to send Snowy away, to get rid of her, once and for all. 

The Magic Mirror has warned The Queen this is a huge mistake – Snowy is beautiful on the inside and the outside- everyone loves her. The Queen isn’t listening and orders The Hunter from the Palace to take Snowy into the forest and leave her there forever!                  

Meanwhile, the Cool Dudes have decided it’s time they started making healthier food choices and doing some exercise.         

During this interactive production, kids will enjoy the opportunity of role-play as they are invited on stage to become a variety of characters- including The Cool Dudes- that love to rap! The off-stage action continues with singing and dancing for the rest of the audience. 

A timely piece of live theatre about making better food choices, while keeping kids fit and healthy! 

“...It is bright, colourful, happy and my kids were very entertained, they can’t stop talking about it. Bravo to all concerned, one thing-take some ear plugs as the kids become very, very excited”- Adelaide Fringe Festival 

A biological-musical-comedy-adventure — that explores the ins and outs of the human digestive system. 

Friday 25 October | 11am and 1:30pm | GPAC Main Theatre

It’s true! YOU are a great big fleshy lump with a remarkable hole running all the way through your middle — your digestive system. 

Join biology teachers Oesoph A. Gus and Dewey Dean as they embark upon an utterly brilliant all-singing, all-dancing (and all-clowning!) exploration of every twisting tube and remarkable organ — with sketches, songs, and sensational science. Along the way you’ll encounter a frenzy of enzyme-powered ping pong balls, sing along with a rainbow collection of poop puppets, and witness the weirdest poetry performance you’ve ever seen. 

You Are a Doughnut is a ‘riot of fun’ (The Clothesline) and a ‘sure winner for the whole family’ (Glam Adelaide) — presented by the ‘masters of educational entertainment’ (Play & Go).  

It’s a little bit gross — and a ‘hole’ lotta fun! (You might even learn something...). 

2023 Adelaide Fringe Festival Science at the Fringe Award 

2022 Adelaide Fringe Festival Weekly Award: Best Kids and Family 

★★★★★ “…a sure winner for the whole family.” - Glam Adelaide 

How to Catch a Star

Wednesday 12 June | 10:30am and 12pm | GPAC Main Theatre

Once there was a boy and the boy loved stars very much. 

Every night he watched the stars from his window and wished he had one of his own. 

One day, he decided he would try to catch a star… but first he had to think of a plan… 

Based on the book by international best-selling author Oliver Jeffers, How to Catch a Star is brand new ACO Families production which will take you on a journey from awe and wonder, through perseverance to triumph. 

In a stunning adaptation by Sandra Eldridge, Jeffers’ magical tale about reaching for dreams will be brought to life on stage through storytelling and exquisite new music by Elena Kats-Chernin performed by an ACO string quartet. This enchanting performance will leave audiences of all ages filled with hope and optimism. 

"The music was fabulous, the set was perfect, the script was terrific and the actor was marvellous. I couldn't speak more highly of the whole experience..." (ACO Audience Member) 

Join the ‘Rekindled Systems’ artists for a FREE interactive workshop experience delivering ancestral knowledge on music making, dance, language and poetry.

Sunday 19 November | 2pm | GPAC Little Theatre

Building on the cross-cultural offering of the live concert series, you will receive direct insight and instruction from Allara, Olenka Toroshenko, Monica Jasmine Karo, Culture Evolves, and Corey Theatre into their honed expressive techniques.  

 

Open to all ages and capabilities, the 3-hour workshop will seek to place you inside the art forms central to the expression of the artist’s culture and communities, passed down through age-old knowledge sharing and now offered to you.  

"Once upon a time, there was a little ogre named Shrek..." 

Friday 25 August -  Saturday 2 September | GPAC Main Theatre

Based on the Oscar-winning DreamWorks Animation film, Shrek The Musical is a Tony Award-winning fairy tale adventure, featuring all new songs from Jeanine Tesori (Thoroughly Modern Millie; Caroline, or Change) and a sidesplitting book by David Lindsay-Abaire. Shrek brings all the beloved characters you know from the film to life on stage and proves there's more to the story than meets the ears. 

"Once upon a time, there was a little ogre named Shrek..." And thus begins the tale of an unlikely hero who finds himself on a life-changing journey alongside a wisecracking Donkey and a feisty princess who resists her rescue. Throw in a short-tempered bad guy, a cookie with an attitude and over a dozen other fairy tale misfits, and you've got the kind of mess that calls for a real hero. Luckily, there's one on hand... and his name is Shrek. 

Shrek presents a treasure trove of creative opportunities, including costumes, sets, puppets (there is a fire-breathing dragon after all) and more! Irreverently fun for the whole family, Shrek proves that beauty is truly in the eye of the ogre. 

A high energy interactive show for kids aged 3 - 5 years.

SOLD OUT!

Thursday 6 July | 10.30am | GPAC Town Hall

Fun energetic and engaging circus show for young people aged 3 -5 years.  A mix of juggling, acrobatic and unicycling performance with hands on activities including a silly warm up, juggling challenges, and plate spinning.

Children will be engaged and laughing from start to finish! The show includes moments of quiet focus, eruptions of noise and excitement, moving and grooving. 

Circus Workshop for kids aged 6 - 12 years

Thursday 6 July | 1.30pm | GPAC Town Hall

SOLD OUT!

This is a fun and structured workshop that gives children aged 6 - 12 years a taster of a variety of circus skills. 

The instructor led workshop will have the children, laughing, being silly and making plenty of noise.  Everyone is guaranteed to achieve something, and everyone is guaranteed to be challenged. 

Participants will have the opportunity to learn skills including, juggling, diabolo, devil-sticks and spinning plates, plus a bonus unicycle demonstration!

Workshop accompanying adults attend for free.

Please contact Box Office on 03 5176 3333 if you're having trouble with workshop ticket purchases online.

Barry the Bunyip is a smelly fellow and all the bush creatures don’t let him forget it!

Saturday 24 June | 7.30pm | GPAC Little Theatre

The Fairy Queen has decreed that Barry the Bunyip has to leave his home, and he’s not happy about it!  

Bush Tale Bunyip is developed over the span of five months by a group of 30 young stars aged between 8 - 16, and will premier in the GPAC Little Theatre this June.

The Gippsland Youth Drama Workshop produces an original show with every group, based on the participant’s ideas for characters, plot and themes that are important to them. 

The audience will meet fairies, pixies, witches, brownies and of course a bunyip in a story that focuses on differences and acceptance and not judging books by their covers (or others by their smell)!