Speaking Role

Free drama program for people with disabilities that affects their ability to communicate.

10am-12pm, Tuesday

Ainslie Arts Centre

Speaking role is a free drama program for people who have a disability that affects their ability to communicate. The program aims to enhance communication and social skills for volunteering, employment and participation in community, through the medium of Playback Theatre.

In this model the audience tell stories which are played back instantly by the actors. Participants build confidence through both sharing their own stories, as well as improvising performances of each other’s stories.

The course was designed for people who have some ability to communicate verbally, but have difficulty in always being understood, and is led by two experienced theatre tutors, one of whom is a person with disability.

Speaking Role is a project of Rebus Theatre, and is funded by private donation with support from the Ainslie and Gorman Arts Centres.

Find out more about joining Speaking Role Classes by emailing our enrolments team, or phoning 0403 815 784.

‘The Rebus Speaking Role program definitely helps gives me the courage to speak up and be heard more and more.’ Leanne (Participant)
‘I’ve learned so much, I want to continue to progress and build on the skills I’ve learnt in this course, and discover more and keep discovering.’ Mackenzie (Participant)
‘I want to be part of a theatre company, and with the skills I’ve learnt here it might be possible’ Gabby (Participant)
‘It’s impacted a huge deal in my life, it helps myself esteem and it feels good’ – Participant
‘It was somewhere I could go and feel like I was a part of the real world and not isolated anymore’ – Participant
‘It’s definitely helped me hell of a lot especially in this tough year’ – Participant
‘The facilitators were very wise and were able to direct us in the right direction and as a result the group got a lot out of the program individually’ – Participant
‘It gave me confidence. When I first came in, I really didn’t have any confidence. The more I did it, the more relaxed and confident I felt.’ – Participant

Rebus acknowledges the Ngunnawal and Ngambri people as the traditional custodians of the land on which we live and work, and pays our respect to elders past, present and emerging.

We practice radical empathy through theatre and other arts to stimulate healing and provoke social and environmental change. Together with our donors and friends, Rebus is embarking on a bold new path to reach more of our marginalised than ever before. Play your own part by making a tax deductible donation to support our mission here!

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The Rebus Staff Wellbeing Program is supported by Hands Across Canberra in partnership with the Chief Minister’s Charitable Fund and the Canberra Foundations Collective.