State Educate
State Educate is designed to provide high school students and teachers with the opportunity to see professional live theatre, engage with the artists, creative team and cast involved, and participate in Q&A sessions held only for these shows. We also offer backstage tours, workshops associated with our State Educate productions and specifically tailored workshops to support classroom learning. Engaging with the professionals that you have just seen performing provides an insight to theatre-making that is hard to find elsewhere.
Education resources, videos and activities for individual or classroom use are available on the State Educate Resources page. This page includes both show specific and general resources, addressing topics such as characterisation, theatre terms and playwriting.
If you have any questions, please email education@statetheatrecompany.com.au
Our school booking Terms and Conditions have changed, please take the time to read them thoroughly before booking.
2027 State Educate Shows
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The Summer of the Seventeenth Doll
by Ray Lawler
The Summer of the Seventeenth Doll is an Australian classic, and we will have two dedicated school performances for schools. Exploring universal themes of ageing and shifting cultural identities at a time when these questions feel more relevant than ever, the Doll is a funny, tender and heartbreakingly honest look at what happens when life changes before your eyes.
GUIDELINES & CONTENT
Age Guide: 14+
Run-time: 2 hrs and 30 mins
(with interval)
Content warnings: Adult themes
Curriculum links: Drama, English
Literary StudiesSCHOOLS ONLY PERFORMANCE
Dunstan Playhouse
Tuesday 4 May 11:00am
Thursday 6 May 11:00am -
Evil Hour
By James Smith
Evil Hour
by James Smith
Our next exciting work for schools is a new Australian work by James Smith, who we have seen in Euphoria, The Dictionary of Lost Words and Jack Maggs. Evil Hour is a gripping Australian gothic drama inspired by South Australian history and steeped in suspense. Faith collides with fear, myth intertwines with memory, and women who were once silenced finally reclaim their voices.
GUIDELINES & CONTENT
Age Guide: 15+
Run-time: 60 mins (no interval)
Content warnings: Mature themes,
themes of violence against women.
Curriculum links: Stage 1 Drama, English
Literary Studies, History, Creative ArtsSCHOOLS ONLY PERFORMANCE
Dunstan Playhouse
Thursday 22 July 11:00am
2027 Matinee Performances
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AN ILIAD
By Lisa Peterson and Denis O’Hare
Adapted from Homer’s Iliad
Translated by Robert FaglesWe begin the year with a masterclass in storytelling in An Iliad, with David Wenham’s wry and witty retelling of the myth of the Trojan War. Ancient myth collides with the modern world in a powerful meditation on conflict, compassion and what it means to remain human. Limited seats are available for this rare opportunity to experience one of Australia’s best actor’s magnetic performance alongside a public audience.
GUIDELINES & CONTENT
Age Guide: 14+
Run-time: 100 mins (no interval)
Content warnings: Strong language, strobe
lighting, haze, mature themes incl violence, war
and death.
Curriculum links: Stage 2 Drama, Stage 1/2
English, English Literary StudiesPERFORMANCE
Dunstan Playhouse
Wednesday 10 February 11:00am -
The Dark Matter of Usulal
By Margaret J Harvey
This is followed by the magical realist world of The Dark Matter of Usulal, a visually striking meditation on ancestry, identity and the invisible threads that connect generations. Through a rich interplay of performance, sound, movement and captivating visuals, Margaret Harvey invites audiences into a world where the boundaries between past and present begin to dissolve. As part of the Adelaide Festival, State Educate has a limited number of seats available for student groups.
GUIDELINES & CONTENT
Age Guide: 15+
Run-time: 70 mins (no interval)
Content warnings: Contains references to
violence.
Curriculum links: Drama, English, Dance,
Aboriginal StudiesPERFORMANCE
Odeon Theatre
Wednesday 24 February 11:00am -
THE BOOKBINDER OF JERICHO
Adapted by Verity Laughton
From the novel by Pip WilliamsA companion piece to Williams’ international bestseller The Dictionary of Lost Words, The Bookbinder of Jericho is set in 19th-century Oxford, this time from the viewpoint of Peggy, twin sister to Maude (played by new Adelaide talent Billie-Rose Russell). Also starring Melissa Kahraman and Ksenja Logos (The Dictionary of Lost Words), the production will feature the creative talents of designer Jonathon Oxlade, costume designer Ailsa Paterson and Sound Designer Max Lyandvert, under the direction of Shannon Rush.
GUIDELINES & CONTENT
Age Guide: 14+
Run-time: 2 hours and 40 mins (with interval)
Content warnings: Contains mature themes
Curriculum links: Stage 2 Drama, Stage 1/2
English, English Literary Studies, Women’s StudiesPERFORMANCE
Dunstan Playhouse
Wednesday 13 October 11.00am
About State Educate 2027
2027 State Educate bookings are now open.
State Educate offers a variety of resources for students and teachers to help them get the most out of their theatrical experience, including filmed interviews with the cast and creative team to help gain an insight to the creative and rehearsal process.
The advantages of booking State Educate performances are:
- Daytime performances specifically for high school students. Each play is followed by a Q&A with the cast.
- Detailed study guides with in-depth information on key themes, dramatic style, characters and design elements. Study guides also include assignment questions for continued learning back at school.
If you have any questions, please email education@statetheatrecompany.com.au.
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