Learning about the power of theatre in transforming communities in Townsville

A process of learning in northeast Queensland centred around how theatre can contribute towards the transformation of communities has resulted in the establishment of a new not-for-profit organisation. 

Littellbud Productions is a new organisation established in Townsville that focuses on building the spiritual and technical capacity in young people to participate in the performing arts. 

The organisation is comprised of a group of youth who have been involved in the learning process for the past few years, participating in film and theatre projects inspired by Baha’i spiritual educational initiatives including the Junior Youth Spiritual Empowerment Program. 

The film and theatre projects have featured children, junior youth, youth and parents and have explored key concepts based on the teachings of the Baha’i Faith.  

Armed with simple tools such as phone cameras, and using resources found in their homes and environment as props and costumes, young people and their families have brought themes from the junior youth texts to life, highlighting concepts including compassion, honesty, and hope. 

Actors also created narrative films, sharing the way in which their film Glimmerings of Hope was created, and describing the process of producing their play Forget-me-not Iran about Baha’i woman Keith Ransom Kehler.  

More recently, families engaged in the local community-building processes created three films depicting original stories. One stemmed from a bullying experience one of the actors had at school. Another brought attention to the preciousness of life while a third, created in February, is a comic film promoting the concept of preferring one’s sister and brother before oneself. The film has been entered into an international short film competition. 

The purpose of making the films is twofold – to showcase principles from the Baha’i teachings while strengthening the identity of the cast members and the audience as protagonists in a process of positive social change. “The actors are immersed in the stories they are depicting which helps them internalise the concepts from the educational programs,” says one of the team members. “They also come to see themselves as individuals, groups and families who have positive messages to share with others, and as people of capacity.” 

Many of the films have been screened at the local primary school where many of the actors in the films are students. On one occasion, an inaugural screening of three films was held in the school hall, and on several occasions classroom teachers and the school guidance officer have screened the films for single classes or smaller groups of students. “Through the sharing of the films with the school, the capacity of the student actors is highlighted, and advances in understanding about the content and focus of the Baha’i educational programs are made within teachers and school leadership.  

“This in turn increases opportunities for collaboration with this important institution. There are now conversations underway about the hosting of a film festival within the school, possibly linked to Harmony Day or Refugee Day, where the films would be screened and discussed.” 

Watch the Glimmerings of Hope video below: