poetry in action

Bringing poetry to life through performance.

tour details

Tour dates: 6 March - 30 June, Australia and New Zealand
Team Nightingale: Kieran Clancy-Lowe, Tasha O’Brien and Callum Stephen
Number of shows performed: 168
Elements of Rhyme: Caleb Lewis (writer); Bryce Youngman (director)
International Anthem: Caleb Lewis (writer); Erica Lovell (director)
Words of War: Matt Edgerton (writer); Bryce Youngman (director)
Herstory 101: Erica Lovell & Lizzie Schebesta (writers); Lizzie Schebesta (director)
Vocal Coach/Musical Director: Erica Lovell
Accent Coach: Natasha McNamara
Touring Company: Poetry In Action

PIA school tours

Join us on a fast paced and wildly entertaining 45-minute journey that presents humorous, dynamic and thrilling perspectives on poetry and literature.

Through our unique interpretations of poetic works ranging from Yeats through to Eminem, students will emerge with transformed appreciations of poetry and literature, an unprecedented familiarity with poetic techniques, and a newfound enthusiasm for using poetry as a valuable form of self-expression.

2023 School Tour Shows

  • Elements of Rhyme (Years 7-8)

  • International Anthem (Years 8-10)

  • Words of War (Years 9-12)

  • His Herstory 101 (Years 9-12)

OUR VISION

TO BE AN EXPRESSIVE AND ARTICULATE AUSTRALIAN VOICE IN THE WORLD

OUR MISSION

OUR MISSION IS TO UNLOCK THE POWER OF WORDS FOR EVERYONE


the interactive show utilised famous poems and introduced emerging poets, so that students could experience the brilliance of spoken word poetry within a performance narrative. They explored classic Australian poems, protest poetry and poetry that explores the diversity of Australia’s population today St George Christian, NSW

these performances showed how poetry was not only still relevant today, but how it can be used to explore some of the most pressing issues of our times. A variety of poetic forms, from classical ballads to contemporary rap, were explored, conveying the ways that poetry can offer us a voice regardless of our context Mater Maria Catholic College, NSW

tailored shows for each year group to complement their learning and to engage them in language; specifically the language of poetry St Matthews Catholic School Mudgee, NSW

‘International Anthem’ suited both units on Australian identity through the Indigenous Voice and The Refugee Experience James Sheahan Catholic High, NSW

showcased and promoted poetry as a relevant, significant, and important artform and writing style. It focused on how poetry can shape a voice. This was challenging, confronting, but rewarding for the students who came to understand that all of us have a right to be heard as much as we have a right to speak and poetry has been, historically, the way for the voiceless to find expression Scots All Saints College, NSW

a wonderful show that helped the students to learn about the enjoyment and elements of poetry Emmaus College, QLD

a big thank you to Kieran, Tasha and Callum for a fantastic morning inspiring our students to keep writing and telling their stories through poetry MacKillop College Port Macquarie, NSW

engaging performance that shed light on the power of poetry. A wonderful introduction and reminder of some of the important elements of poetry St Joseph’s Regional College, NSW

an opportunity to enjoy the power of language and see the vitality of a live performance Nambucca Valley Christian Community School, NSW

each presentation directly related to aspects of the NSW English syllabus. This was an excellent opportunity to embrace the joy of poetry as it can be performed on stage. Poetry in Action artistically wove the poems into their thoughtful, moving and engaging presentations Lindisfarne Anglican Grammar School, NSW

students left this session with a much stronger insight into the value and accessibility of poetry and the experiences of a generation so far removed from their own. It was hard not to be emotionally engaged by the performance! St Michael’s College, SA

exploring the idea of migration within the Australian social and historical context. The performance challenged students and stirred up important debate and ideas that they can reflect upon in their own compositions St Dominic’s Priory College, SA

a class of Year 8s immediately gathered after the performance to create their own poems about Australian culture and identity Saint Ignatius’ College, SA

a fusion of poetry and drama, designed to inspire creative writing and the performing arts. The students thoroughly enjoyed this experience, with reactions ranging from laughter to intrigue and surprise Prescott College, SA

an excellent opportunity for our students to witness live performance and build on their knowledge of poetry. Viewing the performances gave students the opportunity to consider how language and stylistic features are used to impact an audience Mount Barker High School, SA

with productions that touched on the elements of poetry, through humour and rap battles, to thought provoking pieces that made cross curricular connections with learning in History and Civics, there was something for everyone! Golden Grove High School, SA

captivating performances took our students on a journey through the power of language Cornerstone College, SA

an explosive incursion in this fast-paced and fun performance. Students stamped out rhythms, played 'rhyme tennis', aided in alliteration and other tricky poetic techniques during the dynamic performance. The students highly enjoyed the performance which helped them to understand and love poetry just that little bit more! Roma Mitchell Secondary College, SA

a fantastic incursion that brought poetry to life like never before, weaving tales through poetry while educating students about the foundational elements of this fascinating form of literary expression. Students were able to see first-hand the skill and artistry that goes into great poetry. The rap battle was an excellent way to demonstrate the way that poetry has evolved over time Woodvale Secondary College, WA

not only beneficial for their studies in poetry and song but was also phenomenal as a production Lumen Christi College, WA

the show mixes a touch of humour amongst some serious messages, and the theatrical take captivated the students Bunbury Cathedral Grammar School, WA

the performances, tailored to each year group, took students on a journey that presents a humorous, dynamic and thrilling perspective on poetry and literature Bunbury Senior, WA

a highly entertaining and informative performance Manjimup Senior High School, WA

the opportunity to have a live performance is invaluable to their English studies Nannup District High School, WA

it was amazing to see how they expressed themselves in a dramatic and entertaining way, how poetry works, and how it can be used in different ways Oakhill College, NSW

a truly unforgettable spectacle with humour and unexpected twists, the performers ignited their imaginations, leaving a lasting impression of the power of language. The blend of drama, humour, and poetic instruction made learning an unforgettable experience Marist Catholic College Penshurst, NSW

a high-octane poetry incursion exploring the five elements of poetry in an entertaining way - What a giggle! St James Catholic Primary Glebe, NSW

PIA are an Australian company who professionally tour schools in NZ and Australia and turn literature into theatre experiences Takapuna Grammar School, Auckland

through effective use of minimal props, quick costume changes, and a variety of characters, a number of poems were explored in rich detail; the entire performance connected a group of young people to the power of the spoken word Otago Boys’ High School, Dunedin

it was a highly entertaining and animated performance which brought to life the experiences of soldiers from the front lines during World War One Alkimos College, WA

Tasha, Callum and Kieran were FANTASTIC. What a wonderful group of performers. They were so professional, and incredibly talented. Well done to them all. The 'Elements of Rhyme' was so engaging and easy to follow. Thank you to the whole PIA team!


media

Poetry in Action – Inspiring students and teachers alike

Video montage of performances at Cornerstone College, SA