ZOOOM

Term 3

  • Schools
  • Theatre
  • Creative Arts
  • Design and Technology
  • Science and Technology
  • Playhouse
  • Run time: 60 minutes, including 15 minute Q&A Subject to change
  • Seating map

A lost star finds its way home

Unable to sleep, a child goes on an imaginary adventure throughout the universe. Using original music, lasers and projections, ZOOOM brings students on an adventure to help a lost star find its way home.

Inspired by the iconic children’s book Harold and The Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson, ZOOOM channels the same philosophy – a child who makes sense of their world through art.

Captivating and heartfelt, ZOOOM is an immersive performance that explores what dreams are made of. This performance explores themes of imagination, memory, mythology and storytelling across cultures about day and nighttime – while bringing to life techniques in creative theatre making using technology, magic and set design.

ZOOOM begins in the classroom, as we invite students to ‘bring a piece of dark’ to the show. Upon arrival, their dark is exchanged for their own personal light – a little spark that will keep them safe and guide them through the interactive performance. 

What to expect

We ask students to bring ‘pieces of dark’ to the theatre to hand to the ‘Keepers of the Dark’. In exchange for the dark, each student receives a light to keep them safe and to use throughout the performance; these lights are collected at the end of the show.  

Example ‘pieces of the dark’ include: dark catchers; paintings; dark machines; abstract patterns using dark materials; a gesture; a poem; a word; a sound; a song; a character; an invisible finger-drawing on the floor or in the air; a freckle; invisible matter from the depths of pockets.  

Please ensure materials used are plastic-free, eco-friendly, or recyclable. 

Students will also explore:

  • Various forms of light and dark play in the theatre, including torches, projections, staged lights and animations.
  • Audience interaction with handheld lights. 

Subject areas: Creative Arts, Design and Technology, Science and Technology, English, Drama, Visual Arts, Music.

General capabilities and cross-curriculum priorities: Literacy, Digital Literacy, Sustainability, Creative and Critical Thinking. 

Key themes: Lighting and set design, imagination, sensory theatre making, creative storytelling with props, objects and technology.

Sydney Opera House presents a Patch Theatre production

Event details

The magic was instantly activated... those fantastic scenes were like casting a magical spell, and the whole audience couldn't help but exclaim in amazement! 

Teacher 

About Patch Theatre

Patch Theatre creates visually captivating performances for 4 - 8 year olds, exploring how children see the world. Their works place children at the centre of the performance, promoting imagination, wonder and discovery.

Founded in South Australia in 1972, Patch has produced over 100 unique works and won countless awards. Patch performances have been presented across Australia and the globe, capturing the imaginations of children worldwide.

Each year, they provide inspirational, design-rich theatre experiences to over 50,000 children.

Cast and creatives

Creators
Geoff Cobham
Dave Brown
Roz Hervey
Temeka Lawlor
Angus Leighton

Composer
Jason Sweeney

Designer
Michelle ‘Maddog’ Delaney

Technical Designers
Chris Petridis
Alexander Hatchard

Animation
Luku

Cast 
Temeka Lawlor 
Liam Ormsby

Stage Manager
Nadia Bobaly

Technical Manager
James Oborn

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Excursions at the Opera House

A Day Out at the House

A full school day experience of creative learning with a performance or workshop and Sydney Opera House tour.

Arts Assist

Does your School need financial assistance to attend a Sydney Opera House excursion?

Schools Tour

Filled with stories that demonstrate the power of creativity, students join a guided tour to learn how architect Jørn Utzon created a sculpture on Sydney Harbour that changed the course of 20th century architecture.

A young girl wearing a school uniform stares out a window in a Sydney Opera House foyer. The Sydney Harbour Bridge is seen in the background.

Attending this event

Plan your visit

Address

Sydney Opera House
Bennelong Point
Sydney NSW 2000
Australia

Getting to the venue

The Opera House is a 7-10 minute walk from Circular Quay, and is easily accessible by car, train, ferry, lightrail, bus, bike and on foot.

Location and access

Playhouse

The Playhouse is located in the north-western corner of Sydney Opera House, best accessed through the Western Foyers.

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