Flair
A theatre ensemble of people with disability and lived experience of mental ill health devising an original performance
This program will begin again in Term 4 2023 and run through Terms and 1 & 2 2024 with a performance in May 2024.
If you’d like to express interest in taking part in our next Flair program contact us here.
Cost: Free
Mondays 1-4pm Term 4 2023
Mondays and Fridays 1-4pm Term 1 and 2 2024
Gorman Arts Centre Click here for directions
While this is a funded program and participation is free. We are always trying to raise extra funds to make the show as amazing as we can. Donte here!
Rebus Theatre’s groundbreaking Flair Program is back again in 2023/24. Flair is a theatre program where the disability leaders of tomorrow will discuss, devise, write and perform their own original theatre. They’ll learn and grow in confidence and belief in themselves along the way and put on a startling show for you at the end.
The program is free to attend and open to disabled people and people with lived experience of mental ill-health. Participants will learn new acting, writing and performance techniques, develop friendships, build confidence and develop leadership skills.
Flair participants have previously been selected from Rebus’ community theatre programs to enhance their artistic development by devising and performing a professional show. However this year we also want to open it up to people we haven’t yet had the pleasure to work with.
If you are interested in taking part in the program, please contact us here with your name, email, phone number and a few sentences about why you would like to join, and we’ll be in contact to organise a face to face chat.
Previous participant feedback:
“The Flair program has helped me to further develop my skills and confidence as an actor. It has been so great contributing my ideas and reflections towards inventing characters and the script, alongside the whole cast and theatre professionals for our play UTOPIATE. This is the first time I have been part of writing a play, and there is a bit of all of us in it. It is an empowering fascinating journey and a team effort, everyone’s input is valuable. We support and encourage our diversity and quirkiness. It is a safe and inclusive space allowing us to explore ourselves, our feelings and how we engage in life on this planet.
Since I started with Rebus Theatre programs in 2021 it has helped me find myself, my voice, communicate, and explore my creativity. It helps open and expand my mind to new ways and possibilities. It is integral for my health and wellbeing. Sharing my common interests and experiences with like-minded people. We support each other in our theatre abilities and future endeavours. Theatre is therapeutic.” – Leanne Shutt – Utopiate 2022
Rebus performed our second ‘Flair’ show entitled ‘Utopiate’, an intergalactic odyssey in search of a world without pain showing at Belco Arts in November 2022. The was been loved by audiences and reviewers alike having received 4 reviews. Here’s what the critics had to say:
- “One wonders if Rebus actually holds the seeds of where theatre is leading in its relationship with society and culture.” Joe Woodward – Canberra CityNews – Read the full review here.
- “If the aim of theatre is to make a difference and bring about change, then Rebus Theatre is its standard bearer.” – Peter Wilkins – Canberra Critic’s Circle – Read the full review here.
- “Despite the adversities that all the members of Rebus Theatre face daily, they have successfully created a play showing growth and love, tied together with a sense of humour. Delightful theatre, in other words.” Frank McKone – Canberra Critic’s Circle – Read the full review here.
- “The direction is inventive, the costumes are colourful, the lighting effects are excellent and the witty script is peppered with enough tongue-in-cheek lines to keep the audience chuckling through-out. Together with the underlying theme of “careful what you wish for” which bring the proceedings to an optimistic and satisfying conclusion, “Utopiate” offers a revealing insight into the valuable work being undertaken by Rebus Theatre.” Bill Stephens – Canberra Critic’s Circle – Read the full review here.
Our first show ‘The Beauty Thief‘ was held in 2021 and landed us a Canberra Critics Circle Awards for theatre.
‘Flair’ is funded by the Australian Government Department of Social Services. Go to www.dss.gov.au for more information
While this is a funded program and participation is free. We are always trying to raise extra funds to make the show as amazing as we can. Donate here!
