Southern Edge Arts
Circus - Theatre - Community
Championing the creativity of young people in the Great Southern for over 35 years
DANCE, CIRCUS, THEATRE & FIRE
Young people aged 12–25 are invited to join Kaarla Wirren (Fire Spirit) a project by Southern Edge Arts that explores the resilience of people in the face of historic change and celebrates fire as a symbol of a strong spirit, family and a sense of home.
The project offers In-school workshops AND out of school workshops during Term 1 and 2 of 2026, culminating in a performance on Saturday 16 May 2026 in the Amphitheatre at Albany’s Historic Whaling Station as part of the City of Albany’s Albany 2026 program.
In 2026, the workshops will support young people in the devising of a new dance and circus performance called KAARLA WIRREN (Fire Spirit).
Noongar Associate Director, Rachael Colmer will lead the project with guest artists from Southern Edge Arts and support from Elder, Aunty Carol Pettersen.
THREE WORKSHOPS TO CHOOSE FROM
-
In- school, Albany & Mt Barker - dance and circus arts
-
Out of school @ Southern Edge Arts, Albany - theatre and dance
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Out of school @ Southern Edge Arts, Albany - fire arts training
Students can participate in both in- school and out of school options.
Workshops are FREE however all students need to become members of Southern Edge Arts at the cost of $20 - this provides sufficient insurance cover. Training will be held at Southern Edge Arts and Albany’s Historic Whaling Station.
Our enrolment form will include all the details we need to get you underway.
OUT OF SCHOOL PROGRAM - DANCE & THEATRE - WORKSHOP DATES
Term 1 - Weekly workshops at Southern Edge Arts
8x sessions - please scroll the below table for all term 1 dates.
DATE | TYPE | TIME |
|---|---|---|
Thursday 12 February 2026 | Weekly workshop term 1 | 4.30pm - 6pm |
Thursday 19 February 2026 | Weekly workshop term 1 | 4.30pm - 6pm |
Thursday 26 February 2026 | Weekly workshop term 1 | 4.30pm - 6pm |
Thursday 5 March 2026 | Weekly workshop term 1 | 4.30pm - 6pm |
Thursday 12 March 2026 | Weekly workshop term 1 | 4.30pm - 6pm |
Thursday 19 March 2026 | Weekly workshop term 1 | 4.30pm - 6pm |
Thursday 26 March 2026 | Weekly workshop term 1 | 4.30pm - 6pm |
Thursday 2 April 2026 | Weekly workshop term 1 | 4.30pm - 6pm |
April school holidays at Southern Edge Arts
3x sessions. Sessions includes one site visit - bus transport provided.
DATE | TYPE | TIME |
|---|---|---|
Tuesday 14 April 2026 | Fire & dance/theatre groups @ site visit | 1.30pm - 4pm |
Thursday 16 April 2026 | Fire & dance/theatre groups @ SEA | 1.30pm - 4pm |
Friday 17 April 2026 | Everyone @ SEA | 1.30pm - 4pm |
Term 2 - Weekly workshops at Southern Edge Arts
3x sessions
DATE | TYPE | TIME |
|---|---|---|
Thursday 23 April 2026 | Weekly workshop term 2 | 4pm - 5pm |
Thursday 30 April 2026 | Weekly workshop term 2 | 4pm - 5pm |
Thursday 7 May 2026 | Weekly workshop term 2 | 4pm - 5pm |
Sunday Rehearsals - meet at Southern Edge Arts for bus transport to venue
DATE | TYPE | TIME |
|---|---|---|
Sunday 3 May 2026 | Site rehearsal | Bus pick up at 1.30pm and return for 5pm |
Sunday 10 May 2026 | Site rehearsal | Bus pick up at 1.30pm and return for 5pm |
Production Week - meet at Southern Edge Arts for bus transport to venue
DATE | TYPE | TIME |
|---|---|---|
Thursday 14 May 2026 | Technical rehearsal (wear costumes) | Bus pick up at 4pm and return for 8pm |
Friday 15 May 2026 | Dress rehearsal (wear costumes & make up) | Bus pick up at 4pm and return for 8pm |
Saturday 16 May 2026 | Performance (wear costumes and make up) | Bus pick up at 2.30pm at SEA. NO RETURN TRIP unless arranged with SEA. |
OUT OF SCHOOL PROGRAM - FIRE ARTS
(ages 16+ only)
Fire training is for young people aged 16+ and requires a strong commitment to training that will lead to performing with live fire. The maximum age will be 27.
Students must be available for 80% of all workshops and the Teaching Artists will make the final decision about each student’s ability to perform safely. There are many other enjoyable opportunities to perform in this project without the use of fire.
PLEASE WEAR TIGHT FITTING CLOTHES MADE OF COTTON OR WOOL TO ALL REHEARSALS.
See program workshop dates for Fire Arts below.
OUT OF SCHOOL PROGRAM - FIRE ARTS - WORKSHOP DATES
Term 1 - Weekly workshops at Southern Edge Arts
7x sessions - please scroll the below table for all term 1 dates.
DATE | TYPE | TIME |
|---|---|---|
Friday 13 February 2026 | Weekly workshop term 1 | 5.15pm - 6.45pm |
Friday 20 February 2026 | Weekly workshop term 1 | 5.15pm - 6.45pm |
Friday 27 February 2026 | Weekly workshop term 1 | 5.15pm - 6.45pm |
Friday 6 March 2026 | Weekly workshop term 1 | 5.15pm - 6.45pm |
Friday 13 March 2026 | Weekly workshop term 1 | 5.15pm - 6.45pm |
Friday 20 March 2026 | Weekly workshop term 1 | 5.15pm - 6.45pm |
Friday 27 March 2026 | Weekly workshop term 1 | 5.15pm - 6.45pm |
April school holidays at Southern Edge Arts
5x sessions - please scroll the below table for all dates. Sessions includes one site visit - bus transport provided.
DATE | TYPE | TIME |
|---|---|---|
Monday 13 April 2026 | April school holidays workshop | 1.30pm - 4pm |
Tuesday 14 April 2026 | Fire & dance/theatre groups @ site | 1.30pm - 4pm |
Wednesday 15 April 2026 | April school holidays workshop | 1.30pm - 4pm |
Thursday 16 April 2026 | Fire & dance/theatre groups @ SEA | 1.30pm - 4pm |
Friday 17 April 2026 | April school holidays workshop | 1.30pm - 4pm |
Term 2 - Weekly workshops at Southern Edge Arts
3x sessions
DATE | TYPE | TIME |
|---|---|---|
Friday 24 April 2026 | Weekly workshop term 2 | 5.15pm - 6.45pm |
Friday 1 May 2026 | Weekly workshop term 2 | 5.15pm - 6.45pm |
Friday 8 May 2026 | Weekly workshop term 2 | 5.15pm - 6.45pm |
Sunday Rehearsals - meet at Southern Edge Arts for bus transport to venue
DATE | TYPE | TIME |
|---|---|---|
Sunday 3 May 2026 | Site rehearsal | Bus pick up at 1.30pm and return for 5pm |
Sunday 10 May 2026 | Site rehearsal | Bus pick up at 1.30pm and return for 5pm |
Production Week - meet at Southern Edge Arts for bus transport to venue
DATE | TYPE | TIME |
|---|---|---|
Wednesday 13 May 2026 | Fire performers rehearsal | Bus pick up at 5pm at SEA and return for 8pm |
DATE | TYPE | TIME |
|---|---|---|
Thursday 14 May 2026 | Technical rehearsal (wear costumes) | Bus pick up at 4pm and return for 8pm |
Friday 15 May 2026 | Dress rehearsal (wear costumes & make up) | Bus pick up at 4pm and return for 8pm |
Saturday 16 May 2026 | Performance (wear costumes and make up) | Bus pick up at 2.30pm at SEA. NO RETURN TRIP unless arranged with SEA. |
IN-SCHOOL PROGRAM
Workshops will incorporate dance and circus arts and is delivered during Term 1 and Term 2 for students (Year 7 - 12).
Workshop times will be in school hours and co-ordinated with each school.
Students are also required to attend three sessions at Southern Edge Arts during the April School holidays; and two Sunday rehearsals plus Technical and Dress rehearsals at the performance site.
Great Southern Grammar, St Josephs & Mt Barker Community College have workshops in school time.
See program workshop dates for school holidays, Sundays and Production Week below.
IN-SCHOOL PROGRAM
WORKSHOP DATES (OUTSIDE OF IN-SCHOOL WORKSHOPS)
April School Holidays at Southern Edge Arts
DATE | TYPE | TIME |
|---|---|---|
Monday 13 April 2026 | School groups & Fire @ SEA | 1.30pm - 4pm |
Wednesday 15 April 2026 | School groups & Fire @ SEA | 1.30pm - 4pm |
Friday 17 April 2026 | Whole cast @ SEA | 1.30pm - 4pm |
Sunday Rehearsals - meet at Southern Edge Arts for bus transport to venue
DATE | TYPE | TIME |
|---|---|---|
Sunday 3 May 2026 | Site rehearsal | Bus pick up at 1.30pm and return for 5pm |
Sunday 10 May 2026 | Site rehearsal | Bus pick up at 1.30pm and return for 5pm |
Production Week - meet at Southern Edge Arts for bus transport to venue
DATE | TYPE | TIME |
|---|---|---|
Thursday 14 May 2026 | Technical rehearsal (wear costumes) | Bus pick up at 4pm and return for 8pm |
Friday 15 May 2026 | Dress rehearsal (wear costumes & make up) | Bus pick up at 4pm and return for 8pm |
Saturday 16 May 2026 | Performance (wear costumes and make up) | Bus pick up at 2.30pm at SEA. NO RETURN TRIP unless arranged with SEA. |
THE CREATIVE VISION
KAARLA WIRREN is guided by the cultural leadership of Elder Aunty Carol Pettersen, whose vision shapes the heart of this performance.
Working alongside her is Noongar Associate Director Rachael Colmer, ensuring cultural integrity, the engagement of a diverse array of young people, and a creative process grounded in respect and community connection.
This work is a collaboration between fire artists, Southern Edge Art and young people from across Albany and the Great Southern — a bridge between generations, cultures, and stories.
You can be a part of the performance!
WHY THIS WORK MATTERS
KAARLA WIRREN is more than a performance — it is a celebration of the vibrant Albany and Great Southern youth performing arts community.
It is a rare opportunity to witness a large‑scale Noongar‑led performance, shaped by young people and grounded in cultural knowledge.
It strengthens community connection, honours shared stories, and offers a unique fire performance experience in the Great Southern region.
This is a moment for Albany — a gathering of spirit, culture, and future.
Join us around the fire. Be part of this unforgettable night.
OUR PARTNERS & SUPPORTERS
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