Arts skills as life skills

Sarah Herrmann, Yorke Peninsula Country Times

Aspiring young artists were treated to a dose of acting expertise, along with life skills, when Country Arts SA visited Maitland Town Hall last week.

About 70 primary school students attended a performance of Claire Della and the Moon plus a subsequent Q&A, and 40 Maitland Music and Arts Club Performing Arts School students participated in workshops held by the actors.

Country Arts SA associate producer for performing arts, Jay Gonzalez, said making artistic opportunities accessible for regional youth was integral in inspiring them to pursue their dreams.

“I grew up in Port Pirie, have always been into music, and it still is my passion and something that I want to turn into a career,” he said.

“Part of the reason I started working with Country Arts is because I wanted to be able to help illuminate pathways for regional kids to find a way into the industry.

“It might sometimes feel a bit restrictive being in a regional town but hopefully Country Arts can provide the opportunities and resources for kids to remain in the regions and still have a chance to build a career in the arts.

“It’s great to be able to program stuff like this and give regional kids the opportunity to hear from someone outside their immediate circle of mentors.”

Co-founder of production company Madness of Two, and star of Claire Della and the Moon, Ellen Graham said she was impressed by the students’ engagement, their insightful and nuanced questions, and the gratitude they showed toward the opportunity.

“I feel like the more exposure you have to art, it opens you up to not just pursuing it yourself but also skills like listening to each other, creating things out of nothing, being able to work in groups you’re unfamiliar with, and empathising,” she said.

“It really just exposes you to a whole rainbow of tools and abilities — and reminding people that play can be any form, not just sport.”

MMAC PAS chairperson Bronwyn Liebelt said she wanted students to “see that they’re part of something bigger” in the arts space.

“It’s to give our kids a different experience, and for them to connect what we do here with a possible future pathway,” she said.

“I was really proud of them the way they rose to all the challenges they were presented with in the workshop.”

For student Sophie Davies, who is in her last year of MMAC PAS, acting has given her access to a variety of other abilities.

“It definitely works on your confidence and your people skills,” she said.

“On or off the stage you’re confident to go out and try something new, or when you need to do something outside your comfort zone, like going and getting a job, it’s not as scary.

“Through doing this I’ve gained friends from all the way down the bottom end and all the way all the top.

“When I first started I just thought this was a thing that I do but as I’ve grown up I’ve realised there isn’t really anywhere else you can do this (on YP).”

This article appeared in Yorke Peninsula Country Times, 20 May 2025.