Introduction
Ginger the Frog is currently an interactive digital storybook that helps establish healthy emotions in young children. We have adapted that book into a stage play and have written 7 songs for the show.
We have generously been given some funding from Resilience NSW, Australia Council for the Arts, FRRR, Regional Development Fund, Cobargo Community Bushfire Recovery Fund Inc., St Vincent de Paul, Arndell Anglican College (in Hawkesbury), Hawkesbury City Council, Coordinaire, Create NSW and Eurobodalla Shire Council.
Ginger the Frog uses the influence of story, the excitement of live theatre and the power of songs and animation to entertain and assist the community to counter negative feelings resulting from trauma. It is a high quality work of children’s theatre that features a variety of song genres including surf-rock, hip-hop, dub reggae, folk and a 70’s disco track. The theatre show is a creative response to the 2019 bushfires and Covid-19, particularly in the bushfire-affected communities on the Far South Coast of NSW.
MY SUPERPOWER had a very successful first run in July 2021 performing shows at Wallaga, Cobargo and Bega. In total we had audience numbers of around 750. The Bega event was an all day affair – in addition to 2 performances of the show, there were kids art workshops, kids drama workshops, drumming performances and a pop up art exhibition.
Funding is already in place to take the show to the Hawkesbury and Coffs Harbour areas in the second half of 2022.
To all involved in the play today – it was brilliant. I felt privileged to witness kids thoroughly engrossed and enjoying the play whilst incidentally learning so much.
RK
My Super Power warms the heart, chocks the throat and flows the tears. children and adults alike remember to breath, grieve and release…well done all and totally professional… a fantastic local performance, engaging, colourful and focused on the recovery of our beautiful little ones.
SC
I took 3 year old Georgia to see My Super Power starring Ginger the Frog and she absolutely adored the whole show. A show about being brave, kind and resilient is just what we both needed. Georgia was particularly excited about putting her “big pants” on and fell asleep to “inside a star” the night following the show.
BC
I think there will be so much for the teachers to go through with the children: the themes were very strong. I think the children may need help unravelling them, which opens up fabulous, rich discussions with teachers and parents.
NJH
This show is full of energy and heart: the passion to enhance the wellbeing of children drives this creation. I think one of the strengths of this show is that it opens discussions : how to calm fear and anxiety, how to let anger go, to find and believe in one’s own super power, how to be brave when the world is frightening. Great show and important life skills to take home.
PB
It was very different, excellent, enjoyable. You could see the kids were totally enamoured with the show.. The presentation was very novel and the messages were a good part of the story. This performance needs to be seen by everyone.
RL
The show was so good, very funny and moving and had great positive messages for kids and adults alike.
DH
I loved the experience, the My Super Power performance was amazing and very well written and performed. I loved hearing Sarah’s mindfulness presentation and the interactive exercises for kids and adults where we learned the different techniques was wonderful.
MF
We loved the whole show and thought that the characters, costumes and message was very well thought through and my favourite part was when Ginger’s conscience made her realise that she had done wrong and she tried her hardest to fix it and not just let it go or give up. My youngest loved that the spider was so cool and funny.
TJ
The show was fantastic and engaging the whole time . We also participated in the workshop and it was so much fun and well ran. Thank you.
JB
Relatable and memorable emotions portrayed in characters that are accessible and good techniques to managing stress. Well done all a great show! Very much needed in the Valley for our children!
SM
We acknowledge the generous support of the following organisations.
Director’s Artistic Statement
The Ginger The Frog Community Arts Project has four components
1. A theatre show for families that weaves a story of recovery and celebration as told through the metaphor of animals. An Australian Wind in the Willows. The show combines comedy, pathos, live music and animated projections.
2. A Community Performance Program featuring individuals, groups and schools that performs before and after the professional show.
3. A post-show Wellbeing Forum in collaboration with community partner organisations.
4. A Creative Arts Workshop Program that features practical arts workshops for the community as well as community workshops in wellbeing and trauma recovery.
The project features small previews of the professional show in Cobargo and Narooma community halls. This will be followed by large community performances at Bega Civic Centre, which includes a post-show Wellbeing Forum and workshops.
Another performance will be adapted for the screen and filmed for digital release, specifically modified to embrace the new world of Covid.
The 4 Wellbeing Pathways of Ginger the Frog
Ginger the Frog is a unique creative project as it contains practical wellbeing exercises that are interwoven within the story and the songs.
There are 4 components to the project.
1. A live theatre show This is a community event that features the live professional show, performed in combination with community performances and followed by a wellbeing forum. For families and children.
2. Animated stories for screen A 6 part series of animated screen stories to support emotional resilience and wellbeing in children aged 3-7.
3. A CD ‘Inside a Star’ A CD that features 7 songs from the live theatre show and 6 mindfulness meditations. A family album that covers the musical genres of hip-hop, surf-rock, 70’s disco, folk and dub reggae and complete with a range of meditations for anxiety, anger, regulating emotions and deeper sleep.
4. Workshops A holistic workshop for parents that focuses on creating connection and family wellbeing.
Video Materials
Ginger the Frog live stage show wellbeing statement
Medley of songs from the theatre show
Ginger Exercises – why we do them
First episode of digital series
Shining Star song
The Artists Involved
SARAH CAMPBELL LAMBERT
Creator and writer
Sarah has had a successful career as a freelance make-up artist, hairdresser and costume designer for film, TV, theatre and magazines for 18 years in Australia and the U.S.A. For the last eight years, Sarah has been working as a therapist and uses hypnosis, kinesiology, EFT, Psych-K and Reiki. She is passionate about mindfulness and meditation and serves private clients, runs workshops and retreats.
Sarah was chosen to develop her children’s series ‘Ginger the Frog’ by the iAccelerate program through Wollongong University last year in 2019.
Sarah lives on the far south coast of NSW with her husband, two daughters, and a variety of farm animals.
DAVE HOUSTON
Writer/Director
Dave has been working in the arts since 1988, as an actor, musician, writer, director & producer. He provides music & theatre shows & workshops to schools, communities & festivals nationally and internationally. Since 1988 he has toured nationally & internationally, performed in numerous shows, written over 20 professional plays & screenplays, 35 community shows, recorded 7 studio albums, worked extensively in the youth sector, in community cultural development (CCD) with Indigenous & diverse communities & produced international CCD projects Mexico, Thailand & Scotland).
He trained in acting at VCA & in Screenwriting at RMIT and manages Full-On Theatre, which has received extensive project grants & created a significant body of work.
SAMWISE SEIDEL
Musician & Sound Designer
Samwise Seidel is a songwriter, musician and sound designer/engineer who has worked in the music industry for a decade. He has played in a wide variety of bands, performing live and in recorded situations and has acted as producer in a number of recording projects.
www.samthewise.com
RICHARD LAMBERT
Animator
Richard is a visual effects artist with over 20 years experience in special effects and animation for film, TV and advertising. He has worked in Australia, Europe and the U.S. in a diverse range of disciplines.
www.richardlambert.com.au
ADRIAN OSBORNE
Graphic Visual Artist
Adrian is an artist, musician and public speaker, who has worked as a freelance artist since 1992, during which time his artwork has been featured in theatre, film and exhibitions worldwide.