2021 Wakakirri Showcase TV Special

Wakakirri is Australia’s largest performing arts festival for schools. Each year hundreds of schools reflect students’ thoughts, ideas, and aspirations. School performances are inspired by the Wakakirri ethos ‘Great stories inspire great change’.

By celebrating diversity and shining a spotlight on what schools are saying rather than focusing on who is best, Wakakirri gives students a chance to creatively share and express their experiences, feelings, values, and attitudes. Every school has a different story to tell and a different way to tell it, plus there are the ‘behind the scenes’ stories which can be just as important.

Despite all the interruptions from Covid, Wakakirri received an incredible 121 entries in both Wakakirri Live and Wakakirri Video events.

This year’s TV special is curated by Will Tran. A performer of superb versatility, Will draws from his culture and experiences as a second-generation Vietnamese-Australian to bring an earnest and often humorous performance to both stage and screen. With a decade worth of dance and choreography training under his belt, Will has worked as an international choreographer across the globe.  A dynamite presenter both on stage and in front of the camera Will has fronted print and screen as the hero talent and model for major brands as well as appearing in several TV Shows.

So without further ado…let’s celebrate a few of Will’s favourite Wakakirri Story-Dances from around the country that captured his attention both on and off the stage.

See more performances in full on the wakakirri.com (click the link below).

**Watch APATA member Paula Nicoletto‘s troupe from Trinity College, WA  “Removing the Mask” 2021: A toxic culture has been built on the saying “boys will be boys”. We are taking a stand and removing the mask to show transparency about health and wellbeing. To speak out and be heard. So great to see an all-boys school take to the stage! Well done Trinity!

***Watch APATA member Julie Wilson’s students from Weir State School, QLD with Gabul Wudhabagu (Carpet Snake Journey): Gamu (Water) Gubal creates vibrations and ripples in the water upon awakening. Galba Giba (River track) Gabul emerges from the sacred water hole and begins his journey. Mariga (Corroboree)A celebration dance of all the animals from the landscape. Congratulations Julie and the students from Weir State School!!

It’s time to get involved

Schools can choose to tell any story that they wish. Schools’ performances are often inspired by the Wakakirri ethos ‘great stories inspire change’ and the annual festival signature motif (in 2022 the motif is RISE). Go to www.wakakirri.com for more information.