Sparking Stories in the Riverland

April 28th, 2023

Stephen Sheehan has performed his spellbinding storytelling experience Spark: Once Upon a Jar to more than 200 students at five schools in SA’s Riverland.

In Spark: Once Upon a Jar, Stephen shares mysterious stories and engages with students to create their own imaginative adventures. Students are invited to collaboratively create stories by contributing creative ideas and phrases, before embarking on a treasure hunt.

Stephen performing Spark: Once Upon a Jar in the Riverland

Our in-school Spark sessions remove the barriers to arts access by bringing arts experiences directly to the classroom. Delivering Spark in schools across regional SA is made possible thanks to the generous support of FWH Foundation, Lang Foundation, an anonymous foundation, and Adelaide Fringe Artist Fund. These valuable contributions allow regional disadvantaged schools (IoED categories 1–4) to receive Spark experiences at no cost.

“It’s such a joy to bring this experience into classrooms across regional South Australia. For many students this is their first experience watching – and participating in – a live performance. Children are natural storytellers, and their incredible imaginations really shine through in this experience – I’ve heard stories about flowers with dogs faces, t-shirts that control the humans that wear them… and everything in-between” says performer Stephen Sheehan.

Thanks to philanthropic support, Spark will continue to tour to schools across SA in 2023, travelling outer-metro Adelaide, Eyre Peninsula and more.

"You can feel that the schools are benefitting from this program to bring theatre to far flung places. It's a highlight of my professional career to be involved."
– Performer Stephen Sheehan

“It was great! I loved it as much as the students!”
– Teacher

"I heard children excitedly speaking to me and others recounting the adventurous storytelling and the mysterious smell. Thank you for bringing this performance to our small school."
– Teacher

Stephen at Loxton Primary School

Stephen at the River Murray Ferry

Thank you card from Morgan Primary School

Delivering Spark in schools across regional SA is made possible thanks to funding from the Department for Education and the generous support of FWH Foundation, Lang Foundation, and an anonymous foundation.