Beyond the Stage is a range of dynamic and immersive education workshops and performances designed to ignite your students’ curiosity about the captivating world of opera and theatre.

Explore the process of commissioning a new work for the mainstage, explore the science of theatre technology with our light and sound workshops, or attend a pre-show Q & A and grill those in non-performing roles about their work in bringing a production to stage.

Beyond the Stage is our offering in the Victorian Challenge and Enrichment Series which is free to government schools. Non-government schools pay a low fee of $1 per student for workshops and $25 for shows.

In Semester 1 2024 we offer:

• The Visitors - explore the commissioning of a new First Nations work with workshops on how to choose the story to tell, writing melodies, orchestration, and staging. Key to these workshops are interviews with Jane Harrison (librettist) Christopher Sainsbury (composer), Isaac Drandic (director) and the cast of The Visitors. Offered virtually, however face to face workshops can be organised. Suitable for Years 7 - 12
• Sound & Light Energy in Action - explore the physics of sound and light energy and apply this knowledge to real life theatre technology and situations. Consider this a whole day of Science Prac! Offered in person at Horti Hall Melbourne or as a school incursion. Suitable for Years 7 - 9
• Candide: Explore the nonperforming roles - Join us for a pre-show Q & A with our Conductor, Director and Designer to explore their roles in bringing a production to stage. Then sit back and enjoy one of Bernstein's great pieces of theatre. Offered in person at Palais Theatre. Suitable for Years 9 - 10
• Parrwang Lifts the Sky: Explore the nonperforming roles - Explore how Deborah Cheetham Fraillon wrote the libretto and music for this Wadawurrung Creation story and the role of our director in this preshow workshop. Then sit back and enjoy the magic of the first Australian dawn. Offered virtually, however face to face workshops can be organised. Show is in-theatre at Malthouse Theatre Melbourne & Ballarat Civic Hall. Suitable for Years 7 - 8

In Semester 2 we offer:

• La Rondine: Explore the nonperforming roles - Join us for a pre-show Q & A with our Conductor, Director and Designer to explore their roles in bringing a production to stage. Then sit back and enjoy one of Pucinni's great pieces of theatre. Offered in person at Palais Theatre. Suitable for Years 10 - 12
• Sound & Light Energy in Action (TBC) - explore the physics of sound and light energy and apply this knowledge to real life theatre technology and situations. Consider this a whole day of Science Prac! Offered in person at Horti Hall Melbourne or as a school incursion. Suitable for Years 7 - 9
• Eucalyptus - explore the commissioning of a new Australian work with workshops on how to choose the story to tell, writing melodies, orchestration, and staging. Key to these workshops are interviews Jonathan Mills (composer), Michael Gow (director), Simone Romaniuk (Designer) and the cast of Eucalyptus. Workshops offered virtually, however face to face workshops can be organised. Show is in-theatre at Palais Theatre. Suitable for Years 7 - 12

Please fill out the details below to secure your place in these workshops.

Further information on all of our education programs can be found on our Education & Pathways webpage.

For any enquires please contact Education Team by email or phone (03) 9012 6659 (Monday to Friday, 10:00am - 5:00pm).