Wakakirri
What is Wakakirri?
Each year hundreds of schools across Australia create Story-Dances for Wakakirri that reflect student’s thoughts, ideas and aspirations. These stories are performed in professional theatres in front of the official ‘Wakakirri Panel’ who are searching for ‘Story of the Year’.
A Wakakirri Story Dance is a 3-7 minute performance by a group of students who theatrically tell a story using a combination of dancing, creative movement and acting to pre-recorded music. Schools can tell any story and use any combination of dance, acting, music, sets, props and costumes. The possibilities are endless! You’re invited to incorporate the annual signature item into your story for an extra challenge.
The aim of Wakakirri is to teach students about themselves and others through the creating and sharing of stories and by this process develop students’ educational outcomes, lifestyle choices and community awareness.
Performing in Wakakirri is an experience students never forget. Schools spend Show Day rehearsing and meeting other schools and that same night walk the Red Carpet with the Panel Reps and perform on the big stage. Every schools’ story is filmed for Wakakirri TV as part of the search for ‘Story of the Year’.
Wakakirri is for every Primary School in Australia and has categories for all levels of experience. Every school can enter and there are loads of prizes your school can win. Wakakirri encourages schools to minimise their footprint when creating props and costumes for their performance and offers special awards for schools that excel in this area.
Established in 1992, Wakakirri is Australia’s largest Performing Arts Event for schools, involving over 20,000 students across every State and Territory. Over 1 million people watch Wakakirri performances each year.
What is the signiture item this year?
What does Wakakirri mean?
The Aboriginal word Wakakirri means ‘to dance a story’ according to Wangaaypuwan people from Cobar NSW. It was chosen to give the event a distinctly Australian feel.
Buzz Off!
This year our Story-Dance is titled 'Buzz Off!'. In Australia, the dreaded fly is a disaster when it comes to peaceful days out on a picnic, the beach or when on a camping trip. So... does this insect take over these iconic Australian traditions? Or, is there a way to claim back the peace and serenity? Watch out Fly, the pest exterminators and fly spray are on the way!
Final Call
So far we have had payment form meeting, a dance session and a t-shirt design competition meeting. We are still looking for students in Year 2 - 6 to be a part of our Story Dance team. If you are interested and would like a notice please see the notice board outside the staff room, or the office. Wakakirri is a cost of $50. You can either pay a deposit of $15 by 11th May or $50 upfront. This payment covers participation fee and insurance, costs associated with costumes, sets and props, dinner on the performance night and a team t-shirt.
T-shirt design competition
Each year, cast members receive a t-shirt with our current years show on it. The design is done by a students and we choose this through a competition. Design forms were handed out this week. If you are in the cast, and would like the chance for you design to be considered, please get a form from the office and return by Friday 11th May.