Registrations for upcoming Wakakirri events are now open. REGISTER NOW
Registrations for upcoming Wakakirri events are now open. REGISTER NOW
Home / About Us
Supporting creative learning in schools
Engaged through performance nationwide
Participating across Australia
Delivered across cities and regions
At the heart of Wakakirri is Story-Dance. This unique form of performance blends movement, drama, music and narrative to help students communicate ideas without relying on words alone. It allows students of all abilities to contribute, whether on stage, behind the scenes or through creative leadership roles.
Story-Dance draws on the oldest form of learning, storytelling, while resonating with contemporary youth culture. It encourages collaboration, empathy and agency, empowering students to share perspectives that reflect their lived experiences and values.
Our aim is to provide schools with an inclusive, engaging and meaningful program that:
To empower young people through storytelling and creative expression, supporting wellbeing, engagement and personal growth by providing inclusive, meaningful performing arts programs for schools across Australia.
A future where every young person feels heard, valued and confident to share their story, using creativity as a powerful force for learning, connection and positive social change.
OUR MEMBERS
Wakakirri is supported by Australia’s leading industry professionals who inspire the next generation of performers. Our Ambassadors and WSDIA Committee Members contribute through mentoring, workshops, Show Day activities, Waka TV appearances, and advocacy.
Festival Director
Festival Patron
Committee President
Committee Vice President
Committee Member
Kids Helpline is Australia’s free, confidential 24/7 support service for children and young people. Offering phone, online, and email counselling, Kids Helpline provides a safe space for young people to talk about anything that’s on their mind, from everyday worries to more serious concerns.
Their dedicated team of professionals is there to listen, support, and guide young people through life’s challenges, empowering them to feel heard and supported.
Open Parachute supports schools through their evidence-based Social-Emotional Learning program, which teaches practical mental health skills to students.
Created by a team of Clinical Psychologists and educators, each lesson teaches a Trauma-Informed perspective to students through authentic documentary videos featuring Australian youth that showcase the journey of overcoming challenges.
Through curriculum-aligned, pre-prepared lessons for all year levels K-12, Open Parachute is working toward its mission to create generational change.
The Sebastian Foundation was formed in 2013 by singer Guy Sebastian and his wife Jules and takes an early intervention approach to youth mental health. It aims to give young Australians the resilience and confidence they need to grow and be their best.
The Foundation prides itself on being a charity with extremely low overheads meaning the bulk of donations go directly to the cause. Our primary focus is funding schools to implement a unique, award-winning in-school wellbeing program called Open Parachute. The program is built around authentic peer stories, as we share the Wakakirri belief that “great stories inspire change!”
For over 25 years, FReeZA has played a key role in the Victoria’s music and arts scene. FReeZA has supported a generation of young people to access pathways into music and the creative industries as well as creating safe and accessible music and cultural events.
Now, we’re excited to announce the launch of Amplify! A refreshed version of the FReeZA program, Amplify is designed to meet the dynamic needs of today’s young people across the state.
Amplify will also continue to support organisations to collaborate with young people to create, plan and deliver music, creative arts, and cultural events across Victoria.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
The WSDAI is a not-for-profit organisation (since 2004) that uses storytelling, the oldest form of learning, as its focus for providing innovative educational programs to schools in a manner that resonates with contemporary youth culture.
The Aboriginal word Wakakirri means ‘to dance’ according to the Wangaaypuwan people from Cobar NSW.
The WSDAI presents the Wakakirri Story-Dance Festival to provide an education program for schools that develops student engagement and wellbeing through the sharing of stories and participation in the performing arts.
Registrations for upcoming Wakakirri events are now open. REGISTER NOW
