Museday Theatre is an innovative independent initiative in performing arts for young adults with diverse abilities, Founded and facilitated in 2010 by Musician and Specialist Voice Teacher Kath Williams (MMus/GradDipVocalPedagogy/ADipHealthSc/R.N/ Cert IV Dis/T.A.E).
Based in Nambour on the Sunshine Coast, the Museday Theatre participants attend workshop each week to sing and dance, play music, roleplay, move and stretch, mime, write, create, jam, socialise and build relationships…have lots of fun and laughter…. and develop a range of skills via music and drama that carry into everyday life, ranging from developing language, to strengthening our voices, gaining confidence and self esteem, working on motor and coordination skills, rhythm and voice and breaking down barriers we may face in communication.
Founded in 2010 and directed by by Sunny Coast musician Kath Williams, Museday is supported by music educator Emma Creed (BMusEd / GradDipDanceTherapy) Creative Assistant and Earth Mother Janet “Birdie” Ware and Awesome Musician Paul Martin, (DipMus / DipMusBus/T.A.A) who is facilitating our ukulele group…..we are now working on some more complex instrumental and musical skills. We are writing our very own symphony “Crazy Conductors” and jamming out!! Classes are held at Studio 2 Rigby St and Lind Lane Theatre, Nambour.
We have a mission of been team building and skills development for the participants of MT. Friendships and collaborative relationships have been forged encouraging trust, social interaction, respect, support and creativity. Putting our annual show together requires all of these attributes as well as managing our personal everyday challenges……and having a laugh!
Kath says “underpinning all that we do at class is the transfer of the skills we develop from the program into everyday life….learning to remember a sequence of events, following directions, verbal and nonverbal communication skills, Social skills, fine and gross motor skills, literacy, independent living skills, consideration of others, humility, listening, turn taking, patience, responsibility, rhythm, timing, singing, dancing and musical skills.
Commitment to weekly classes gives us continuity and allows for the scaffolding of learning and development of trust, and then skills development can follow. Many Thanks to the services, families, support workers, and carers involved in this process.
I love hearing people say that MT is their favourite day of the week !!!! And I hear it often! Much Gratitude!”
Our most recent show”There’s No Place Like Home” was a raging success at Lind Lane Theatre in December 2014 and was a great outcome, showcasing all the life skills that come out of working up a show… Loads of self confidence, self-esteem, trusting relationships and most of all, the BEST fun!
The continuity of weekly workshops ensures that we have a structured, yet flexible and creative program, which scaffolds learning and culminates in working towards our annual stage production, providing us an opportunity to showcase the skills which we have gained to friends, family and community.With 4 great original shows behind us in 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013 we are currently planning an exciting performance for 2014, inspired and drawn from participants’ own ideas and concepts.
The experience of working in the theatre is so exciting…and whilst it’s such a buzz and so much fun, we take it very seriously and work hard to learn all our parts and roles. And then there are props, costumes, lighting, backdrops, music and equipment and technical considerations for which each class member takes a role of responsibility.
Please email Kath Williams at kath@kathwilliams.com.au us or visit us on the MuseDay Theatre Facebook page for more information and enquiries.
Donations
All donations which are made towards MuseDay will assist the continuation and planned expansion of this fun filled and exciting program, which is such a beneficial part of so many peoples lives. We greatly appreciate your support and tax deductible sponsorship and donations can be made to us via Sunshine Butterflies at http://www.sunshinebutterflies.com.au/2012/09/19/museday-theatre-sunshine-coast/
Museday Tuesday Short Film
Museday End of Year Show
Click image to download large pdf
Testimonial
“Due to the nature of his disability, autism, our 25 year old son is unable to verbally communicate. He struggles with processing complex information. T is also an extremely shy young man and it is very difficult for him to form any friendships. Certainly, being nonverbal contributes to the many challenges that he must face.
For the past couple of years, he has been attending the MuseDay class. Under the creative direction of Kath Williams, the MuseDay programme has afforded our son an opportunity to develop some essential social skills and also to build on his confidence.
To watch our son perform a dance routine on stage at the Lind Lane Theatre, Nambour on November 12th this year was an absolute joy. We could not take the smiles off our faces and through our tears of joy; we cheered and clapped as we watched our son actively engage with his classmates to deliver a fantastic performance.
We believe that the MuesDay programme should be embraced by the wider community and we wholeheartedly support the work Kath Williams is doing to support the disabled members living within our community. The programme is something we all want for our disabled children and it is a quality programme that should remain available.
We would be happy to speak about our experience with having our son enrolled in the class and how he has thrived through being involved with this wonderful programme.”
Catherine and Paul C, 26th November 2013
MT classes have been important to our family on so many levels. The independence in travelling to class has been fostered over the years, and supported by the team. The class is a happy place to be, and has been important in building links and friendships with other participants and workers. However, it is the fantastic culmination of all the activities, singing, musical practice in the end-of-year show, that has been so joyful for our family.We all love to come and see our daughter, and all the incredible characters in the class, performing to their strengths and talents. It is just wonderful.
This is the fifth year that I have been involved with Museday Theatre under the direction of Kath Williams.
It has been truly incredible observing the changes that have occurred amongst the group, as individuals and as a group ; – increased self esteem, the unleashing of hidden creative talents, confidence, sharing and teamwork skills, increased communication skills, respect and caring towards others are amongst many changes I have seen.
The end of year show that results from hours of hard work and teamwork by all involved is amazing and shows the capabilities of people living with a disability to the community , that is rarely shown through traditional avenues.
Museday Theatre is a very needed life changing experience for the participants, support workers and the community.
2013 Show – What the world needs now
2014 Show – There’s No Place Like Home
Museday Theatre Term Dates 2017
Term 1 – 7th Feb – 4th April
Download the MuseDay Theatre pdf
Gallery
I am an undergraduate occupational therapy student at the University of the Sunshine Coast. I have attended Kath Williams “Muesday Theatre” group for adults with disabilities several times in a volunteer capacity. I have been impressed with the high standards of professionalism, inclusion, and caring that is extended to the group members by Kath and her assistants.The theatre group provides a much needed safe and supportive social environment where individual members are encouraged to participate, learn new skills, and express themselves freely. In addition, by participating in the group individuals are given the opportunity to become leaders, provide support to, and mentor other group members which has the effect of increasing individual’s self-efficacy and teaches them to translate these skills into other areas of their lives. The positive experiences and social interactions provided by the theatre group promotes friendships between group members and reduces social isolation that can be commonly felt among adults with disabilities.
Furthermore, the group provides a social network for carers of group members and a chance to share experiences, information, and provide emotional support. Kath Williams should be congratulated on running an excellent program that both participants and volunteers look forward to every week and encouraged to continue and expand this excellent service.
Regards, Fiona B