Nobody’s Fool Theatre (NFT) presents its production When the Light Went Walking this week at Cricket Studio, but the group is far more than just a theatre company.
NFT is an arts-led early intervention program for school non-attenders, which is run by Somebody’s Daughter Theatre Company in partnership with Newcomb Secondary College.
The Geelong-based program, which began in 2016, offers participants a chance to work toward Victorian Curriculum outcomes in English, Mathematics and Drama and, in some cases, re-engage with mainstream schooling.
For NFT trainee and former participant Kiara, the program is more than just another youth organisation; it has given her a chance at a better future.
“Personally, I would not have gone back to school, I would not have graduated, and I wouldn’t have a job right now; I don’t know where I’d be right now if I hadn’t joined Nobody’s Fool when I did,” Kiara said.
“I didn’t say a word when I first came, I was the quietest kid in the corner who’d just stand back and watch. Now I’ve got scenes where I’m screaming and yelling.”
Through NFT Kiara has played to hundreds of people in sold-out shows at Chapel Off Chapel in Prahran, travelled around the state and performed in front of 2021 Australian of the Year Grace Tame here in Geelong.
The latter performance was particularly poignant, as When the Light Went Walking was inspired partly by Ms Tame’s famous Australian of the Year acceptance speech in 2021.
“After I saw the speech I came in the next day and spoke to everyone at rehearsals; I asked them, ‘What’s your thoughts on this?’” Kiara said.
“I told my story, and that sparked everyone to talk about their stories and their thoughts on consent.
“So the main theme in this show is consent. It’s about growing up too fast, and kids dealing with things they shouldn’t have to deal with.”
NFT co-artistic director Maud Clark said the participants’ productions helped them, but also gave something to the audience.
“I think very few of us have a real understanding of how difficult people’s lives are,” Ms Clark said.
“When people are invested and performing, you’re touching people’s souls; they’re not reading about it in a report, they’re experiencing it, and that’s when amazing things happen.
“The young people here are invested in creating something that’s bigger than all of us, and a bridge is built for everyone. It’s what the arts do.”
Nobody’s Fool Theatre will present When the Light Went Walking at Cricket Studio at 7.30pm on Thursday, December 1 and Friday, December 2.
