Creative Activism Workshop 1: Tricksters acting up for the state and federal elections

CO-CREATE, GENERATE! LIBERATE!
Join us for the first in the Creative Activism 2025 series for a large-scale puppet and street theatre workshop co-facilitated by local ‘veteran’ tricksters Stephen Bennetts (AKA “Dodgy Steve”) and Sally Knowles (AKA “Scarlequina”). With guest artists/puppet-makers, plus experienced puppet-minders and operators we will spark creative ideas for 2025.

HEAR INSPIRING STORIES OF CREATIVE ACTIONS
Come and meet (even try on!) a puppet in the gallery of rogues. We will use case studies of artivist actions for inspiration to bring creativity to relevant issues like climate change, Palestine and social justice.

WORKSHOP RATIONALE
We will look at snap actions and improvisation (unscripted and unchoreographed moments), as well as scripted and choreographed actions to highlight performance options. Some time will be spent discussing intentions for previous (mostly guerilla-style) protest actions, how they were put into practice and the reception of these actions. We want to move beyond creating awareness of issues in our respective echo chambers to target broader audiences. Our aim is to foster political engagement, devise tangible outcomes for implementing substantial societal transformations that emphasise collectivity and solidarity for community building. We believe in the potential for artivism to shift apathy/paralysis and disengagement to taking urgent action.

WORKSHOP OUTLINE
During the workshop, in ‘incubator’ groups, we can brainstorm and pitch ideas for the production of new puppets, effigies, props, and street theatre for the forthcoming elections and outline the key production elements - from the concept creation, technical production, finishing, delivery and performance.

Lunch will be available.