The Story So Far ........

Some Comments from Audiences from Past Performances:

"The show was awesome and amazing and I think you guys are superb!!”
“It was truly an affirming, warm, intelligent, inclusive, funny, poignant experience.”
“Thankyou for giving [my daughter] the opportunity to be in a production like this, with a team like this, in a community like this, at such a young age. She is wrapt and will never forget it!!!!”
“It was a truly special moment seeing the joy and emotion of the kids after the show.”
“The co-artistry and dedication of the teachers and industry support team is evident in the way the students confidently own this whole process. The young peoples’ voices are heard through arts and that's what makes this an important and authentic community celebration...
Congratulations to the school administrations and department heads for supporting this process and thank-you for inviting me to share with such a strong, vibrant and creative community.”

2011 - The Pursuit of Happiness
"Choose Happiness"

We started our journey this year thinking about happiness and how we all get there. It seems we all want to be happy but life doesn't always make that easy - a rollercoaster journey full of ups & downs.
Happiness - leaving valuable footprints, searching for meaning and understanding, making friends, doing something that matters. Working with inspired, excited young people is happiness and this production was a testament to what can be achieved if we stop and listen to their voices.
For the first time this year COMMON THREAD connected, through QTC, with regional schools - Pioneer SHS in Mackay & Good Shepherd Catholic College in Mt Isa.

Thanks to our Generous Sponsors in 2011

Brisbane Airport Corporation - Major Sponsor
BARB - Major Sponsor
Di Farmer M.P. - Member for Bulimba
BSHS P&C
Ricoh Australia
Office of Hon. Kevin Rudd M.P., Member for Griffith
Colmslie Hotel
Local Business Proprietors - Trivia Night/Raffle Prizes

2008 - Something Different
"Let's put our Differences Aside"

What's Different? What's the same? How do we make a difference? When we are confronted with something or someone different from what we are used to, are we challenged to think and act differently? Whose reality is it anyway? These are some of the questions the makers of this year's COMMON THREAD chose to explore. The Carnival invited us to celebrate the colour and magic that is the liberating joy of childhood play, but also to confront our darker adult fears and fascinations, challenging us to take the world in our hands and do "Something Different".

Thanks to our Generous Sponsors in 2008

Hon. Kevin Rudd M.P., Member for Griffith & Prime Minister of Australia - Major Sponsor
Port of Brisbane - Major Sponsor
Hon. Lindy Nelson-Carr M.P., Minister for Communities - Major Sponsor
Chameleon Touring Systems Pty Ltd
Oxford Recruitment - Major Sponsor
Hon. Pat Purcell MLA, Member for Bulimba
51 Sound Services
Computer and Laser Technologies
Local Business Proprietors - Raffle Prizes

2007 - Blink and You’ll Miss It
"You Don’t Know What You’ve Got Til It’s Gone"

"Take a minute to open your eyes, your heart. Then you'll realise What happiness you could have had from the start." (from original poem, Girl in the Middle, Poetry & Dance Segment)

In this production the students of the GLC shared stories of loss and discovery they created, inspired by the experiences of diverse community members & the expressive forms of a range of local artists. They challenged themselves and, in this year's performance, challenged their audience, to open their eyes & hearts to the opportunities offered in every moment.

Large or small, socially confronting or deeply personal, every loss, every discovery puts us more in touch with ourselves and each other. However realistic or fanciful, this year's COMMON THREAD invited us all to make the most of being "In the Moment".

Thanks to our Generous Sponsors in 2007:

Shayne Sutton, Councillor for Morningside’s Livability Committee - Primary Sponsor
Hon. Kevin Rudd M.P., Member for Griffith & Prime Minister of Australia - Major Sponsor
Hon. Warren Pitt M.P., Minister for Communities - Major Sponsor
Hon. Pat Purcell M.P., Member for Bulimba - Long term supporter

 2006 - Make Your Move
"Risks, Chances and Choices"

"The big picture is just lots of little pictures seen from a distance. Up close every moment counts"

COMMON THREAD 2006, “Make Your Move” was a resounding success, playing three enthusiastically received performances to a combined audience of more than 800 community members. For six months, 100 students from Balmoral SHS, Bulimba, Cannon Hill and Morningside State Schools, worked in creative co-operation with teacher facilitators and industry professionals to explore and develop ideas around the theme of “Risks, Chances and Choices”. This production reflected the students’ own choices to take the chance of creating work for a public audience. Through this process they took personal risks, new to many of them, and made creative and practical choices, as individuals and as a group. The story that emerged was really many stories, demonstrating our connection with each other through our choices. Large or small, world-shattering or intensely personal, every chance we take, every risk we face, puts us more in touch with ourselves and each other. However serious or silly, this year’s COMMON THREAD invited us all to “Embrace It.”

Thanks to our Generous Sponsors in 2006

Shayne Sutton Councillor for Morningside & Common Thread enthusiast - Primary Sponsor
Hon. Warren Pitt MP Minister for Community Services - Major Sponsor
Hon. Pat Purcell MP Member for Bulimba & Minister for Emergency Services
Hon. Kevin Rudd MP Member for Griffith & Leader of the Opposition - printing services & materials
An EQ ICT Pacesetters Grant funded the production of the Claymation film which opened Act 2

2005 - Home
"Couldn't get much Closer to My Heart"

This production reflected the students' responses to a variety of ideas around the the central theme of "Home". It explored the nature of family, its affections and its conflicts. It considered different meanings of "home" for a diversity of people and contexts. It celebrated the joys and confronted the challenges of intimate community.

Thanks to our Generous Sponsors in 2005

Hon. Pat Purcell MP Member for Bulimba
Hon. Warren Pitt MP Minister for Community Services
Telstra for Kids
Hon. Kevin Rudd MP Member for Griffith & Leader of the Opposition - printing services & materials
Queensland Theatre Company
PixelFrame

2004 - Teenagers
"What's Yours..."

The COMMON THREAD journey began with the young people of our community exploring the performing arts to find a voice and have it heard. In this production, mentored by teachers and artists, the COMMON THREAD process was invented using drama, music, film and dance to investigate issues these teenagers were interested in and had something to say about. Their inventiveness, playfulness, passion and courage provided a springboard for a project that captured the imagination and enthusiasm of a whole community.