A BRAVE NEW WORLD 2024

Step into a realm where imagination knows no bounds and bravery takes centre stage in a ground-breaking youth theatre show developed alongside the power of AI. Get ready for an exhilarating journey that will challenge your perceptions, ignite your courage, and redefine what it means to be brave in the face of this Brave New World.

Our talented Fast Track Ensembles from the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast invite you to experience their distinctive interpretations of the Brave New World they are rapidly approaching. This season showcases six compelling plays, each offering a unique perspective on the role of AI in their lives.

Over the past three terms, these dedicated groups have poured their creativity into devising these productions. From crafting narratives and developing rich characters to shaping dynamic scenes, they have undertaken a comprehensive rehearsal process to bring their visions to life. Tonight, we are thrilled to share the fruits of their hard work and boundless creativity with you.

Andrew Wright

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

WRITTEN & DIRECTED BY LOUISE BAHNSON

"Deactivated" explores the themes of greed versus hope and the impact of technology on a traditional society. At its core, the play examines how the allure of technological advancement can both promise liberation and breed disillusionment. The central conflict arises from the villagers' hope for a better life clashing with the potentially exploitative nature of new technologies. This tension is embodied in the characters and the AI automatons, which symbolize both the promise of progress and the pitfalls of unchecked ambition.

Sam is a symbol of youthful optimism and resilience. His journey is marked by hope and a desire to uplift his family and the community from their relentless toil. His character reflects a transition from naive hopefulness to a more grounded resolve as he confronts the harsh realities of economic barriers.

The play is set in a foggy, industrial village, creating a visual metaphor for the blurred lines between hope and despair. The fog signifies the uncertainty and obscured vision that the villagers face regarding their future. The stark contrast between the rustic, worn village and the sleek, futuristic design of the AI automatons is an intentional juxtaposition that underscores the tension between maintaining tradition and embracing change.

The play guides the audience through the initial excitement of Edgar's promises, the crushing disappointment of financial barriers, and the eventual resolve to forge their own path. The narrative arc should leave the audience contemplating the complex relationship between technological progress and human values.

"Deactivated" serves as a poignant exploration of the human condition in the face of rapid technological change, resonating with audiences through its relatable characters and timeless themes.

The Creative Journey

When we first introduced the concept of AI to our students, their response was one of palpable scepticism. This wariness stemmed from a genuine apprehension of the unfamiliar and the uncertainties that accompany rapid technological change. Our discussions unveiled a tapestry of deep-seated concerns, with students asking poignant questions such as, "What jobs will remain for us if robots assume our roles?" and "What measures ensure our security in this evolving landscape?" They pondered the socioeconomic implications: "In a world where robots replace working-class jobs and wealth concentrates with the company owners, will the disparity between the rich and the poor widen?"

I was taken aback by the depth of their concern. Contrary to my expectations that the youth would eagerly embrace this Brave New World, they exhibited more caution and scepticism than enthusiasm. It is a perspective I understand and respect.

With these thoughts as their compass, the students embarked on a creative journey, determined to weave their apprehensions and hopes into a compelling narrative. Over the span of ten weeks, they meticulously constructed a story arc, developed characters, and delved into themes that resonated with their collective consciousness. This process allowed them to channel their anxieties into a structured exploration of the future they are set to inherit.

Once satisfied with the narrative framework, they transitioned into the devising phase, dedicating another ten weeks to shaping the dramatic action that would eventually bring their vision to life. Through relentless effort and collaboration, they crafted a complete play, ready to be polished through blocking, rehearsals, and production enhancements, culminating in the performance we present to you tonight.

I am immensely proud of their artistic vulnerability, creativity, and courage. The students have bared their souls, articulating their concerns about a Brave New World that is accelerating towards them. Their work not only reflects their reality but also serves as a profound exploration of the challenges they will face more acutely than older generations. This is their story, their voice, and their future, expressed with earnestness and insight.

Louise Bahnson

RATED PG - we recommend parental guidance for viewing of this play for children and young people.

TECHNICAL CREW

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR - Andrew Wright

WRITER / DIRECTOR - Louise Bahnson

COSTUME & PROPS - Louise Bahnson

SOUND & LIGHTING DESIGNER - Louise Bahnson

SOUND OPERATOR - Nathan Clark

LIGHTING OPERATOR - TLD Event Creation technical crew

PHOTOGRAPHY - Louise Bahnson

THANK YOUS

AND our Goat Track Team of awesome people who are behind the scenes at all of our events assisting with ticketing, front of house, costume, hair and makeup, building, painting, sewing, sourcing, buying, emailing and phoning in order to make this production possible. Tamara, Heiki, Scarlett, Monique, Emma, Courtney, Lilli; you guys rock!

VILLAGER 2, MRS THOMPSON, REBEL 1 & robot

WRITTEN & DIRECTED BY CAMERON SCURRAH

ABOUT THE PLAY

The Artifice is a story born from the tensions between ambition, insecurity, and the rigid structures of education. At its heart is a principal—extremely driven but deeply insecure—who embarks on a mission to create a perfect system, one that forces students to conform to an idealized version of success. The principal’s drive to innovate, to push boundaries, stems from a desperate need to be recognized as a visionary, yet their insecurities lead them to impose a one-size-fits-all solution. This creation, however, is not a beacon of progress but rather a force of control, demanding that students bend to a system that doesn’t honor their individuality. The show raises a pointed question: How far is the education system pushing students to excel in ways that may not suit their unique talents, needs, or identities? With purposefully vague and minimal context, the narrative feels almost fictional, yet as technologies like Neuralink become a reality, the line between science fiction and future possibilities becomes increasingly blurred. The Artifice stands as a critique of how educational systems can stifle creativity and individuality in the pursuit of an unattainable ideal of success.

THE CREATIVE PROCESS

The concept for the show emerged from the voices of the students themselves. They wanted to tell a story that reflected their own experiences as creatives in a system that often seems designed to overlook them. As young people struggling to find a place where their talents could thrive, they expressed a shared feeling: that their intelligence or creativity wasn’t valued in a traditional academic sense. The show, therefore, is not just a whimsical exploration of those feelings but a haunting commentary on the psychological toll this can take. It’s a mix of playful absurdity—reminiscent of 1950s commercials and over-the-top TV hosts—set against the darker, more insidious realities of an educational system that expects all students to fit a predetermined mold. The devices used in the show, from the quirky presentation style to the eerie inventions, are meant to deceive the audience, much like the education system itself deceives students into believing they must conform to a single, narrow path to success.

This isn’t just a story—it’s a confrontation. A confrontation with a system that values uniformity over individuality, that punishes students for not fitting into its predetermined narrative. The horrors students endure in this world, from punitive measures to soul-crushing expectations, evoke comparisons to something like the chokey from Matilda—but worse, because it feels all too real. The show challenges the myth that the education system works for everyone, offering a reflection of the grim reality that many students face when their personal needs and potential are ignored. This isn’t entertainment for entertainment’s sake; it’s a call for change, a challenge to break free from the cycle where parents pass down the belief that success is measured by grades alone. In the world of The Artifice, students are never given a choice in defining what success means for them. They’re just told to follow the rules and fit into the mold. But this show asks: Do we have to continue perpetuating that cycle?

Cameron Scurrah