A wee bit of joy
It is the joy that gets us through the grim
This weekend, my daughter and I attended the "Great Piratical Rumbustification" at The Pump House Theatre as performed by the Tim Bray Theatre Company.
It was so much fun! Kids theatre is something special for sure; we loved the story, the singing, the jokes, the dancing...all of it! It was fun and wholesome and charming. Just the ticket for my tired self, this wee pocket of joy and delight.
Tim Bray Theatre has been incredibly supportive of inclusion for all; they offer a range of Accessible Performances: Audio Described performances with touch tours, New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) Interpreted performances, and Sensory Relaxed performances. They work with a range of organizations so all our kids can attend and enjoy the theatre. As a parent, it is incredible knowing that we don’t even have to ask - we just have to book!
They also offer Gift a Seat - you can sponsor children from early childhood centers and schools that need support, or sponsor Ko Taku Reo Deaf Education for NZSL interpreted shows, or sponsor BLENNZ (Blind and Low Vision Education Network of NZ) Audio Described performances or even families from Make-A-Wish (NZ) to attend.
I love that here in Aotearoa, there is an intentionality about making the arts accessible. I love that kids’ theatre is valued and that inclusion for children is seen as essential, not just a nice to have. I love that our kids get to have a glimpse of a different world and that they get to envision wider possibilities beyond the grinding mundanity of life. I love the intentionality to ensure access, right from the get go.
In these times of endless grim, it is these pockets of joy that feed our individual and collective souls and sustain us to keep going. The arts give us collective strength to endure and uplift us through difficult times. Not only that but creating and viewing art does our brains good.
Making art helps us slow down, process our feelings, and gives us permission to care for ourselves.
When things are tough, we need the arts in all their wondrous expressions even more.
Also, the Tim Bray Theatre company is major need of financial support. If you feel so inclined, do throw them a dollar or two so they can keep being awesome and wonderfully inclusive: Theatre for All Appeal - Tim Bray Theatre Company
Dr Bex..we only know a tiny portion of your grim, but it brings me joy and hope when I read this. I salute you for your advocacy x