Southern Edge Arts
Circus - Theatre - Community
Championing the creativity of young people in the Great Southern for 40 years
Event Overview & Impact
On the night of Saturday, 7 November 2026, the Great Southern coastline from Emu Point to Binalup/Middleton Beach will glow with the warmth of thousands of handmade lanterns. Initiated, produced, and presented by FORM Building a State of Creativity in collaboration with Creative Producer Southern Edge Arts and Artistic Director Annette Carmichael, Carrying the Fire is a large-scale, community-led participatory artwork celebrating our shared future.
Lantern-bearers will gather along the sand, paths and boardwalk, transforming the foreshore into a breathtaking string of lights and movement: a living, ephemeral artwork captured in footage to be shared worldwide.
Carrying the Fire asks the question: what do you carry into our shared future? It is an invitation for Great Southern residents and visitors of all ages to come together in a shared creative journey. We need thousands of Lantern-bearers to create this artwork and these lantern bearers are led by an ensemble of Lantern Leaders - we hope you will be one of them!
The Role of Lantern Leaders
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Lead the Way: Guide and inspire groups of Lantern-bearers along assigned sections of the foreshore.
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Be the Connection: Act as the key link between the artistic team and the community participants on event night.
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Celebrate & Create: Help facilitate a safe, vibrant, and collaborative environment for a shared creative journey.
We are seeking 200 people aged 15 years and older, to undertake the role of Lantern Leaders. No prior performance experience needed, you just need to feel comfortable moving your body in a simple way and leading the public (Lantern- Bearers) with a few easy movements and a procession along the beach or boardwalk.
Lantern Leaders will be assigned a specific point along the beach/boardwalk where you will perform a short lantern dance at the start of the event, invite the Lantern-bearers towards the water with their lanterns and then lead/ guide them in easy movements using a ‘follow the leader’ format.
Lantern Leaders will be involved in the project in three stages: One Lantern Making Workshop, attend at least one, preferably all rehearsals, the Dress Rehearsal on 6th November and the Performance on 7 November. Please also note that you will need your own mobile phone for all workshops, rehearsals and the performance of Carrying The Fire.
Cost:
There is no cost. All Lantern Leaders will be provided a complimentary associate membership to Southern Edge Arts. No other workshop or project fees are payable.
Lantern Leader Schedule - Three Stages.
Stage One: Workshops. Attend one Lantern Leader workshop.
During August or September, Lantern Leaders are asked to attend one Lantern Leader workshop, where you will learn about the project and your role, make your lantern and learn some simple movements.
What do I need for the workshop?:
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Your mobile phone for downloading the Carrying the Fire App that controls your torch.
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For your lantern: 2 x washed and dried tetra packs (whole). If you are unable to source these, please still attend the workshop. We will have some available.
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Warm layers of comfortable clothing and comfortable footwear.
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Snacks and water if you think you might need something to eat and drink during the workshop.
These workshops will be held in both Denmark and Albany and Lantern Leaders can elect which workshop to register for based on the following list:
Choose ONLY one workshop.
Saturday 12th September | 3pm-6pm SEA
Sunday 4th October | 1pm-4pm Denmark Civic Centre
Friday 9th October | 1pm-4pm SEA
Sunday 11th October | 1pm-4pm SEA
Thursday 15th October | 5pm-8pm SEA
Stage Two: Rehearsals. Attend at least one, preferably all three Lantern Leader rehearsals.
In September and October there are three rehearsals at Southern Edge Arts (SEA @ PCYC), 77 Sanford Road, Albany.
What do I need for the rehearsals?:
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Your lantern & mobile phone
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Warm layers of comfortable clothing and comfortable supportive footwear.
Sunday 13th September 3pm- 5:30pm SEA
Sunday 25th October 3pm- 5:30pm SEA
Sunday 1st November 3pm-5:30pm SEA
Stage Three: Performance.
Participate in the dress rehearsal and performance of Carrying the Fire.
Friday 6th November | 4pm-8:30pm TBC Twilight Dress Rehearsal (Meet at SEA)
Saturday 7th November | 4pm-8:30pm TBC Performance (Meet at SEA)
What do I need for the dress rehearsal and performance?:
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Your mobile phone
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Your costume as described below.
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Snacks and water if you think you might need something to eat and drink during rehearsal.
Lantern Leader Costume:
A complimentary Carrying the Fire fleece jumper will be provided to you and is to be worn at all times on the night of the dress rehearsal and the performance.
In addition to this, we ask that you please wear the following:
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Plain pants. Single colour. No patterns. No branding.
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Warm layers to be worn underneath the fleece jumper. Optional plain beanie no branding.
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Shoes are recommended for your safety.
Registering with Friends?:
If you are registering with friends to be a Lantern Leader, please ensure that everyone completes a separate individual registration form. This is because each Lantern Leader has a unique lighting channel assigned to their mobile phone app for the event.
How do I register as a Lantern Leader?:
To register as a Lantern Leader, please complete your registration by clicking here
Have a question?
Email our Lantern Leader Co-ordinator, Tash Rolfe on projects@southernedge.org.au or phone the SEA Office on 0466 123 393. You can download a pdf of the lantern leader participant information here.
Carrying the Fire is initiated, produced and presented by FORM Building a State of Creativity in collaboration with Creative Producer Southern Edge Arts and Artistic Director Annette Carmichael, as part of the Albany 2026 program. Lotterywest is a Major Supporter of the City of Albany 2026 Program. Minderoo Foundation is proud to be the Lead Partner of Carrying the Fire. This project has been assisted by the Australian Government through the Festivals Australia program.
