The Rainbow Tree
‘This is truly one of the most inclusive shows I’ve seen for kids’
Artshub ★★★★★
What happens when you invite seven children from Rainbow Families to create a show? You end up with a disco koala, a wildebeest, a farting unicorn, and a fairy that can freeze tickle monsters all cohabiting in a very tall, yet tiny Rainbow Tree. This is what it’s like living in a Rainbow Family. Everyone is welcome and anything is possible.
The Rainbow Tree is musical storytelling with moving image. Written with children from Rainbow families, it shares personal and imagined stories around the idea of family, identity, and community. Performed by two queer super Aunties, Aunty Bear and ZaZa (Bec Matthews and Sarah Ward) with singing and live music. The songs are brought to life through the projected visual images of Jolyon James (Arena Theatre Company) featuring animation, illustrations, and the children themselves.
The stories of The Rainbow Tree were collected through Zoom meetings during the six-month Melbourne lockdown. These children were isolated from their friends and extended families and had limited opportunity for adventures. This did not stop them imagining new worlds to explore. Worlds inhabited by animals and magical beings, where they could be super versions of themselves and dig up 4005 golden cupcakes.
This show is for all families, but especially those who feel they sit outside the expected societal norms of mainstream family representations.
Best Musical Direction Nomination Green Room Awards: Bec Matthews
Creative Team
CREATED AND PERFORMED BY
Bec Matthews and Sarah Ward
LYRICS BY
Adia, Felix, McKenzie, Maeve, Minka, Reuben and Timo in collaboration with Bec Matthews and Sarah Ward
DIRECTORIAL EYE
Susie Dee
LIGHTING DESIGN
Monique Aucher
MUSICAL DIRECTION
Bec Matthews
ANIMATIONS
Jolyon James
SET AND COSTUME
Bridget Milesi
PRODUCED BY
Performing Lines
‘The consideration and care that Bec and Sarah offered my daughter made it possible for her to engage, participate and actually enjoy. AMAZING!’
Monique Aucher, Mother of participant
‘You couldn’t ask for 2 better queer Aunties to dance with than Aunty Bear and Za Za. Please continue to mix up pink and purple, ’cause yes, it’s perfect.’
Michelle Gale (CoM Child Safety Officer, Community Services)
SENSORY INFORMATION
The Rainbow Tree is a relaxed performance environment with sensory toys, soft carpet, cushions, and noise cancelling headphones. Audience can come and go as they please. We always aim to provide Auslan interpreted shows. We create short access videos for audiences in each venue.
ENGAGEMENT
The Rainbow Tree provides pre show and post show foyer engagement
- Aunty Bear and ZaZa join the audience after the show to talk to the families
- Chalk drawing
- Colouring in on leaves
- Mini library of children’s books
- Children are kept engaged as they journey into the theatre by following a trail of colourful paper leaves and hand painted cardboard decorations
- A gentle music playlist
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Aunty Bear and ZaZa can be booked to provide a community songwriting workshop. This can be written the day before or morning of the show and incorporated into The Rainbow Tree. We are open to extending our stay in your community by facilitating a Rainbow Family picnic or morning tea to help connect families in your area.
SCHOOL EXCURSIONS
This work can be a natural launching place for educators to address topics related to the Respectful Relationships curriculum in Victorian Schools so would make an excellent school excursion, particularly for foundation to grade two.