A Powerful Theatre Experience for Schools, Staff and Communities
If you’re looking for a school excursion or professional learning experience that goes beyond the ordinary, What Teachers and School Coordinators Can Expect From Refugee Stories at Liverpool Powerhouse is a question worth asking. This moving 90-minute performance doesn’t just present theatre; it brings 25 true stories from recently arrived teenage refugees from Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan to the stage, offering moments of humour, courage, resilience and reflection that stay with audiences long after the lights come up.
At Treehouse Theatre , we create live performance that connects deeply with young people and the adults who support them. For teachers and school coordinators, this production offers a rare opportunity to engage students with real-life refugee experiences in a way that is accessible, thought-provoking and emotionally honest. It is especially relevant for educators, community leaders, and audiences planning meaningful learning experiences in Liverpool Sydney, where community, culture, and storytelling come together in powerful ways. Visit our Liverpool Sydney page to learn more.
Understanding Refugee Stories at Liverpool Powerhouse can help you choose an event that is not only memorable, but genuinely useful for your students and staff. If you’d like help planning your visit or have questions about the performance, please contact Treehouse Theatre, we’re here to help you make the most of this inspiring event.
Experience the impact of real refugee stories at Treehouse Theatre’s upcoming Liverpool performance in South West Sydney, where young people from refugee backgrounds share their lived experiences through powerful, heartfelt, and unforgettable live theatre. By attending, you are helping amplify emerging voices, foster empathy across the community, and support the sharing of these important stories with wider audiences. Book your tickets today and be part of this meaningful performance.
Why Schools Are Attending Refugee Stories at Liverpool Powerhouse
At its heart, it is Treehouse Theatre’s Refugee Stories, a 90-minute performance featuring 25 true stories from recently arrived teenage refugees from Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan. Rather than presenting refugees as statistics or headlines, it brings individual voices to the stage, helping students and staff connect with real experiences in a human, memorable way.
For teachers and school coordinators, the experience is both emotionally engaging and educationally rich. You can expect a performance that moves between humour, resilience, hardship and hope, much like turning the pages of a varied but deeply connected storybook. Some moments are light and funny, such as childhood pranks and everyday memories; others are more confronting, revealing the challenges of displacement and resettlement. This balance is what makes the show so effective for Years 5–12: it meets young audiences where they are, while opening space for empathy, discussion and critical thinking.
A common misconception is that this is simply a refugee awareness talk with dramatic elements. In reality, it is live theatre created with and by young people from refugee backgrounds, which gives the work its authenticity and emotional power. For schools, that means more than a performance, it becomes a shared learning experience that can support classroom conversations about migration, belonging, identity, community and hope. It is also a valuable professional development opportunity for educators and support staff, including counsellors, psychologists, police and community workers.
Located at Liverpool Powerhouse, this event also sits firmly within the broader story of Liverpool Sydney as a place where diverse communities, young people and cultural voices meet. Treehouse Theatre brings that local connection to life through theatre that is honest, respectful and deeply relevant. If you are planning a school visit, Refugee Stories is a performance that offers impact, insight and a genuine sense of connection.
Terms to Know Before You Bring Your Group to Refugee Stories
These definitions will give you a clearer picture of the performance, the learning experience, and the care behind the event.
Refugee stories
These are real-life accounts shared by people who have fled conflict, danger or persecution and are rebuilding their lives in a new country. In this production, the stories come from recently arrived teenage refugees from Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan, making the performance deeply personal and authentic.
Live theatre
Live theatre is a performance that happens in real time, in front of an audience, rather than being filmed or edited. For teachers and school coordinators, this means students experience the immediacy of voice, movement and emotion as the stories unfold on stage.
Devised performance
A devised performance is created collaboratively, often through workshops, storytelling, discussion and rehearsal rather than from a traditional script alone. It matters here because the production reflects the voices and experiences of young people, giving the work honesty and emotional power.
Trauma-informed practice
Trauma-informed practice is an approach that recognises some audience members may have lived through distressing events and aims to create a safe, respectful environment. This is especially relevant when considering What Teachers and School Coordinators Can Expect From Refugee Stories at Liverpool Powerhouse, because the content is powerful while still being handled with care.
Facilitated reflection
Facilitated reflection is a guided conversation or activity that helps audiences think about what they have seen and connect it to their own learning or experiences. For school groups, this can deepen understanding of themes such as belonging, resilience and community after the performance.
Professional development
Professional development refers to learning opportunities that help educators and other professionals strengthen their knowledge and practice. In this context, the show is not only suitable for students in Years 5–12, but also valuable for teachers, counsellors, psychologists, police and community workers seeking insight into refugee experiences.
Audience suitability
Audience suitability describes whether a performance is appropriate for a particular age group or audience type. Knowing this helps you plan confidently, and in this case the production is designed for Years 5–12 as well as adults, with content that is challenging, moving and ultimately hopeful.
Understanding these terms helps you plan your visit with confidence and make the most of the experience. When you know the language around the performance, it becomes easier to prepare your group, support meaningful discussion and fully appreciate the impact of What Teachers and School Coordinators Can Expect From Refugee Stories at Liverpool Powerhouse.
FAQs for Teachers and School Coordinators
If you’re planning a school visit, these FAQs cover the practical details and the educational value of Refugee Stories at Liverpool Powerhouse. We’ve answered the questions we know matter most, so you can book with confidence and prepare your students well.
What is Refugee Stories at Liverpool Powerhouse, and who is it for?
Refugee Stories is Treehouse Theatre’s headline event for Refugee Week 2026 at the Liverpool Powerhouse: a 90-minute performance featuring 25 true stories from recently arrived teenage refugees from Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan. It is suitable for Years 5–12 as well as adults, so it works well for school groups, staff professional learning and wider community audiences. If you’re considering What Teachers and School Coordinators Can Expect From Refugee Stories at Liverpool Powerhouse, you can expect a moving, age-appropriate and thoughtfully presented live experience.
How long is the performance, and is there an interval?
The performance runs for 90 minutes with no interval, which makes it straightforward to plan around school timetables and travel. Because the show is continuous, we recommend allowing a little extra time for arrival, seating and a calm departure afterwards. For teachers and coordinators, this means you can prepare students for a focused, immersive experience from start to finish.
What kind of content is included in the show?
The production shares true stories that range from hilarious childhood pranks to difficult journeys and hopeful resettlement experiences. While the material is powerful and at times emotional, it is presented through theatre in a way that encourages empathy, reflection and understanding rather than sensationalism.
Is the performance suitable for school students?
Yes, the show is designed to be suitable for Years 5–12, with content that can connect meaningfully across a wide age range. Younger students may engage with the personal stories and humour, while older students can explore themes such as displacement, identity, resilience and belonging in greater depth. Many schools use performances like this to support classroom discussion, wellbeing conversations and curriculum-linked learning.
Can teachers and school staff attend as part of professional development?
Absolutely. Refugee Stories is also an outstanding professional development experience for teachers, counsellors, psychologists, police and community workers. The performance offers a rare opportunity to hear lived experiences directly through theatre, which can strengthen cultural understanding and inform the way you support young people and families in your care. It’s a valuable way to build empathy and practical insight in one shared experience.
What are the ticket prices for schools and teachers?
For schools, tickets are $20 per student plus booking fees, and teachers receive one free ticket per 10 students. General admission tickets are $28 plus booking fees. These pricing details make it easier to plan a group booking, and they help ensure the experience remains accessible for school audiences.
When are the performances taking place?
Refugee Stories is showing at Liverpool Powerhouse on Thursday 18 June at 10am and 12:30pm, and on Friday 19 June at 10am, 12:30pm and 7:30pm. The daytime sessions are ideal for school groups, while the evening performance may suit staff, families and community members. If you’re organising a visit, these options give you flexibility to choose the time that best fits your group.
We hope these FAQs make it easier to plan your visit and understand the value of this remarkable production. If you’re exploring What Teachers and School Coordinators Can Expect From Refugee Stories at Liverpool Powerhouse, you can expect a moving, educational and memorable experience that stays with your students long after the curtain falls.
A Powerful Final Takeaway for Schools and Communities
In the end, What Teachers and School Coordinators Can Expect From Refugee Stories at Liverpool Powerhouse is far more than a performance overview, it is a practical guide to an experience that can support learning, empathy and meaningful discussion. From the true stories shared on stage to the thoughtful way the event is framed for Years 5–12, teachers and coordinators can feel confident that this is a production designed with both impact and care.
For schools, the value lies in how clearly the event answers the questions that matter most: Is it age-appropriate? Will it support classroom learning? Is it worthwhile for students and staff? The answer is yes. This is exactly the kind of experience that can deepen understanding of migration, resilience and belonging, while also offering a memorable professional development opportunity for educators and community workers alike.
Experience the power of real Refugee Stories at Treehouse Theatre’s upcoming Liverpool performance in South West Sydney, where young people from refugee backgrounds bring their lived experiences to the stage through honest, moving, and unforgettable live theatre. By attending, you are directly supporting emerging voices, building empathy within the community, and helping these important stories reach wider audiences. Secure your tickets and be part of the performance today.
As part of the wider conversation around Refugee Theatre, this production highlights the role live storytelling can play in bringing communities together. With Treehouse Theatre leading the way, you can expect a show that is honest, moving and expertly delivered. If you’d like help planning a school booking or simply want to learn more, please visit our contact page and get in touch.