Carclew’s Game Makers program ran in 2016
Game Makers asked children and their dads to put their controllers down and were asked to create their very own ‘real world’ game using imagination, live action and team work, over the course of six action-packed sessions.
Game Makers did not involve technology or video games. Guided by theatre makers, professional writers and visual artists, Game Makers utilised elements of both theatre (characters, narratives, imaginary settings) and sport (teamwork, strategy, competition and physical challenges) in games that were played face-to-face between people, bringing the adventures and challenges of video games into the real world.
Game Makers was a Carclew project in association with ActNow Theatre and supported by the Government of South Australia through Arts South Australia. This is a Communities for Children activity funded by the Department of Social Services.
Game Makers Term 1: Onkaparinga
Our first season of Game Makers has had some terrific feedback:
“One of the great pieces of feedback that we were getting was that kids were so used to playing video games that they weren’t used to playing games in the real world.” Edwin Kemp Attrill, workshop leader and Artistic Director of ActNow Theatre
“Since Game Makers, I have noticed a shift in both of my son’s attitudes towards electronic gaming; they are now wanting to do more physical activity and love making up their own games. It’s fantastic, and we’ve already put our names down for the second season.”Aaron Bridge (Morphett Vale) Game Makers Season 1 participant
“My boys were addicted to electronic gaming; I wanted them to use their imagination and become more active. Game Makers was overall a brilliant experience for my family. It has allowed my sons to spend some quality time with their father and encouraged them to be active and creative. They’ve done heaps of fun things including making a fort out of blankets, played plenty of action games and had a lot of laughs.” Tara Bridge (Morphett Vale)
Season 1
Dates & Times
6 March – 17 April 2016
10am – 12noon every Sunday
Morning tea provided
Venue
Hackham West Community Centre
Majorca Road & Warsaw Crescent, Hackham West
Cost
The workshop was FREE.
Season 2
Dates & Times
15 May – 19 June 2016
10am – 12noon every Sunday
Morning tea provided
Venue
Aldinga Community Centre
Stewart Avenue, Aldinga Beach
Cost
The workshop was FREE.
Game Makers Term 2: City of Playford
Season 1
Dates & Times
6 May – 3 June 2016
9am – 11am every Saturday (Morning tea provided)
Venue
John McVeity Centre, Smithfield Plains
Cost
The workshop was FREE.
Season 2
Dates & Times
28 May – 25 June 2016
10am – 12noon every Sunday (Morning tea provided)
Venue
Grenville Community Connections Hub, Elizabeth
Cost
The workshop was FREE.
Season 3
Dates & Times
28 May – 25 June 2016
2pm – 4pm every Sunday (Afternoon tea provided)
Venue
Stretton Centre, Munno Para
Cost
The workshop was FREE.
Banner image: ActNow Theatre members standing behind a sign for “Game Makers”