Life-changing theatre in the spotlight at IWD dinner

MEMBERS of the Soroptimist International Ballarat club and friends marked last week’s International Women’s Day with a dinner at The Grand.

Seventy-five attendees heard from guest speakers Maud Clark and Kharen Harper, the artistic directors of Somebody’s Daughter Theatre Company, based in Melbourne. Ms Clark is also the chief executive officer.

“They spoke of their journey over more than 40 years working with female prisoners using drama and art as a means of engaging with the women and changing their lives,” a statement from the Soroptimists said.

“They told of how they worked with female prisoners over a year to develop a theatrical production which is then performed in front of a live audience of other prisoners, their families and general public.

“This experience has proved to be transformational for the participants.

“Somebody’s Daughter Theatre Co, under the name of Nobody’s Fool, works with disengaged teenagers and school refusers, using a similar process to that used with the women in prisons.

“Maud spoke about how involvement in this program for six months or more transformed the lives of the young participants. who either continued with their learning or in some cases returned to mainstream schooling. The guests at the dinner were totally engaged listening to these amazing success stories that celebrated achievements that changed women’s and young people’s lives.”