DIRECTORS’ ADDRESS
2025 will be Shock Therapy’s 10th Birthday and we are thrilled to be celebrating with another jam packed Education Programme, filled to the brim with stories that will make you think and feel.
We are extremely proud of what we have achieved over the past 10 years and we couldn’t have done it without the support of our friends and families, staff, artists, crews, funding partners, presenting partners and of course our audiences. But… in many ways, we are just getting started!
In 2025 we will be touring 6 shows original works in both schools and theatres throughout Queensland and NSW as well as offering workshops and residencies. We are also very excited to be teaming up with LUKA LESSON to co-present ‘AGAPI and other kinds of love’ for a limited tour in schools.
We have noticed a worrying trend in some schools over the past year, with drama classroom numbers diminishing (likely due to ATAR scaling), which has made us reflect on the role of arts in education in 2025 and beyond. As a company we have always tried to align our work closely with the Drama syllabus, as a way for teachers to use our shows as a resource; a living, breathing example of the theories and techniques taught in the classroom. However, we must not forget about the benefits that live theatre offers to ALL students.
Art and specifically storytelling has been a central part of all cultures and societies throughout history as a way for humans to share ideas and information, reflect on our experiences, process our feelings and learn. The act of gathering in a group to share stories bonds us and helps us to better understand our place in the world, which is vital for everyone, not just drama students.
At Shock Therapy Arts, we use theatre to explore the complex and sometimes confronting aspects of life. Theatre has a unique ability to examine issues and themes by presenting them in an embodied way, through fictional characters in hypothetical situations, that allow the audience to gain insight into the emotional world of these characters from a safe distance. No other artform can do this in the way that live theatre can.
We are more motivated than ever before to share our stories with the world and continue to create new stories that help us explore what it is to be human. Art should move you. Art should make you feel. Art should make you think. Art should inspire you. This has been and will continue to be our goal at Shock Therapy Arts.
We look forward to seeing you in 2025!
Sam and Hayden
Co-Artistic Directors, Shock Therapy Arts
2025 TOURING SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE
TERM 1
| DATES | SHOW | REGION |
|---|---|---|
| 17—21 February | The Stones, Undertow, The Apology | SEQ |
| 24—28 February | The Stones, Undertow, The Apology | SEQ |
| 10—14 March | The Stones, Undertow, The Apology | NTH NSW |
| 17—21 March | Viral, Fuel | SEQ |
| 24—28 March | The Stones, Undertow, The Apology | METRO NSW |
| 24—28 March | Viral, Fuel | CENTRAL QLD |
| 31 March—4 April | The Stones, Undertow, The Apology | METRO NSW |
| 31 March—4 April | Viral, Fuel | CENTRAL QLD |
TERM 2
| DATES | SHOW | REGION |
|---|---|---|
| 28 April—2 May | Crossing the Divide (In-Theatre) | SEQ |
| 5—9 May | Crossing the Divide (In-Theatre) | SEQ |
| 12—16 May | Viral, Fuel | SEQ |
| 19—23 May | Viral, Fuel | SEQ |
| 26 May—30th May | Viral, Fuel | METRO NSW |
| May/June | Crossing the Divide (In-Theatre) | METRO NSW |
| 12-16 May | Crossing the Divide | NTH QLD |
TERM 3
| DATES | SHOW | REGION |
|---|---|---|
| 21—25 July | The Stones, Undertow, The Apology | SEQ |
| 28 July—1 August | The Stones, Undertow, The Apology | SEQ |
| 4—8 August | AGAPI & other kinds of love | SEQ |
| 11—15 Augsust | The Stones, Undertow, The Apology | NTH QLD |
| 18—22 August | AGAPI & other kinds of love | METRO NSW |
| 25—29 August | AGAPI & other kinds of love | SEQ |
| 1—5 September | AGAPI & other kinds of love | NTH NSW |
TERM 4
| DATES | SHOW | REGION |
|---|---|---|
| 13—17 October | The Stones, Undertow, The Apology | SEQ |
| 20—24 October | The Stones, Undertow, The Apology | SEQ |
NOTES
SEQ: Southeast Queensland
CENTRAL QLD: Sunshine Coast to Mackay
NTH QLD: Townsville to Cairns
METRO NSW: Sydney, Newcastle, Wollongong
NTH NSW: Lismore to Tweed Heads
*Additional dates and regions may be added.
IN-SCHOOLS PRODUCTIONS
Check out our touring schedule and catch us throughout the year! Book in with us now, or contact our Education Manager for more enquiries.
Pricing: $1500 + GST/Performance
*Flat rate fee, no minimum audience number, maximum of 500 students.
IN-THEATRE PRODUCTIONS
Image by Cinnamon Smith
CROSSING THE DIVIDE is hitting the road and will be playing a number of venues throughout Queensland and NSW!
After a hugely successful premiere in 2024 and glowing feedback from students, teachers and industry peers we are thrilled to announce that the newest show in SHOCK THERAPY’S cannon will be heading into theatres in 2025. This work is a vital and timely piece that challenges audiences to take a deeper look into our national identity, the events of the past and how they have shaped this country and the responsibility we all face in shaping Australia’s future.
CROSSING THE DIVIDE is a collaboration between Shock co-founders Hayden Jones & Sam Foster and First Nations Artist Benjin Maza, with music and sound design by DOBBY.
The full list of dates and venues will be announced over the coming months so be sure to stay tuned and get ready to book your tickets!
SHOCK &
LUKA LESSON
LUKA LESSON and SHOCK THERAPY ARTS have teamed up to present Luka’s latest show, AGAPI & OTHER KINDS OF LOVE. This in schools performance will be available for a limited time to schools in Brisbane, Gold Coast, Nth NSW and Sydney in 2025.
LUKA LESSON is a poet, rapper and educator of Greek heritage who can't keep his hands off the classics. His work crosses between the history of his family homeland, the fiercely political and the vulnerably self-reflective. Luka has won the Australian Poetry Slam, featured at the mecca for slam poetry: the Nuyorican Poet's Cafe (NYC) and performed with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra. Luka has released two collections of poetry independently: The Future Ancients (2013) & Antidote (2015) and the verse novel: Agapi & Other Kinds of Love (2022). Luka has always used poetry and rap writing workshops as a form of activism, helping young people to articulate their struggles and perform their work for the past 18 years in education centres worldwide, amplifying countless marginalised voices in the process. Luka's verses are being studied on official school curriculums throughout Australia, and unofficially by rebellious educators worldwide.
What is Agapi & Other Kinds of Love?
Agapi & Other Kinds of Love is a poetic Hip-hop theatre show inspired by the 7 Ancient Greek words for love, written and performed by poet, Luka Lesson. The show is equal parts rap concert, poetic musical & classical history lesson. Combining lyricism, music, lighting and projections Agapi & Other Kinds of Love shows us how the power of a good story can overcome even the most Ancient of dilemmas: how can love prevail despite the ways we’ve been taught to hate? Luka's reputation as one of Australia's best storytellers shines as he then takes us on a journey through the kinds of love: Self-love, erotic love, familial love and more all collide with statues of Aphrodite, Molotov cocktails and the Parthenon's steps.
TOURING SCHEDULE
| DATES | REGION |
|---|---|
| 4—8 August | Brisbane |
| 18—22 August | Sydney |
| 25—29 August | Gold Coast |
| 1—5 September | Lismore to Tweed Heads |
Performance Pricing: $1500 + GST
Workshop Pricing: $500 + GST
WORKSHOPS & RESIDENCIES
SHOCK THERAPY have developed a unique and dynamic style of theatre over the years and there is an increasing demand for us to share this approach with students throughout the country. Whether that is running one off masterclasses in physical theatre or characterisation, engaging with schools as Artists in Residence or guest directing productions for schools, our team of highly experienced artists and teachers can accommodate your schools needs.
We are incredibly passionate about sharing our knowledge with the next generation of artists and passing on some of the tips and tricks we have learnt and developed over many years in the theatre and film industry.
Get in touch and let us know what you are looking for and we will be more than happy to work with you to develop a programme that meets your needs.
Pricing: Starting at $450 + GST for a standard workshop
*Up to 90 minutes, maximum of 40 students.
Half day, full day and Artist in Residence rates available upon request.
