Think About It after performing for the National Australia Bank in May, 2022
Think About It after performing for the National Australia Bank in May, 2022
We discuss social, moral and interpersonal issues though entertaining and thought provoking performances. Co-founders, Andy and Damien use volunteers from the audience in a theatre sports style show, directly addressing themes and issues significant to that group. The scenes can veer from light and humorous to serious and challenging.
We believe that “the standard you walk past, is the standard you accept” and our sessions aim to give participants the tools to identify and deal with difficult situations. Our hope is that, through our interactive scenes and the discussions that they generate, the audience will leave with the confidence to set their standards high, make good decisions and engage in difficult conversations with colleagues and friends when they need to. The workshops offer an opportunity to explore when to have these conversations and how to do so in a safe and respectful manner.
We tailor our sessions to match your audience. Get in touch and tell us about the sorts of issues that are relevant to your team or school group. We will create a bespoke workshop that covers relevant topics and targets the issues you identify.
Our sessions are unique because we cater specifically to the needs of your group. We will work with you to understand the issues that are significant in your workplace, team or school. We will then create an engaging performance to start important conversations and kick off the process of changing behaviours.
Our original, interactive performances involve volunteers from the audience in a theatre sports style show. The scenes can veer from light and humorous to serious and challenging, depending on the approach you think will suit your group.
We cater to small or large class groups and can work across grades to deliver sessions to address the needs of your school. While we have standard material which covers bullying, peer pressure and other social issues common to school aged children, we can also develop content that addresses issues or behaviours specific to your group.
Our sessions are useful for businesses who want to address ethical issues, talk about company culture and work towards workplace harmony. Think About It excel at devising interactive performances addressing behaviours and issues of specific concern to each business we work with.
Andy and Damien began this business running sessions for sporting teams, specifically the NRL. They have gone on to conduct sessions for various clients such as the Sydney Swans (AFL) and Western Sydney Wanderers (A League). They use their years of experience and expertise, to create a safe, fun, entertaining and inviting space for participates to explore and address issues, specified in earlier briefings. Damien and Andy consult with clients prior to the day to create a sessions that addresses the issues specific to their workplace. Issues they have tackled include depression, alcohol awareness, sexism, dealing with pressure, gambling, domestic violence and navigating appropriate behaviours in public. Andy and Damien use volunteers from the audience in a theatre sports style show, directly addressing themes and issues considered pressing the client’s workplace. The scenes can veer from light and humorous to incredibly confronting depending on the client’s directives.
The segment below features THiNK ABOUT iT Co-Founders, Damien and Andy running one of their sessions for the NRL.
“Their show is such a unique combination of humour, rapport and genuineness which leaves the audience understanding the gravity of the messaged empowered to take positive action.”
“[This] is one of the most engaging and highly effective workshops that I have seen delivered across the NRL. It challenges participants to consider their own values and beliefs... The performers are adept at drawing out genuine responses from those in the scenes, as well as those watching ... I believe theatre sports would be of great benefit to any organisation.”
“I highly recommend the programme. It was a fun, lighthearted way to get us engaged and discussing some serious issues that may at other times be difficult to talk about in a team environment including drugs and depression. I really enjoyed it.”
“Andy and Damien were both a pleasure to work with - engaging, interested, communicative and professional... they were authentic in engaging the students to think about what it means to be respectful and responsible... I could not recommend them highly enough”
“This is a highly engaging and confronting workshop designed for players and staff covering societal issues like substance abuse, gambling, domestic violence, LGBTI awareness and drink driving. Their workshop had our audience in hysterics of laughter, on the edge of tears, and every emotion in between. It is inspirational to see the NRL driving change within their game in such a progressive and engaging way, and seeing the engagement within our audience, inclusive of Agency and Diageo Exec members, left me feeling extremely proud to say that Bundaberg Rum is a partner of the NRL.”
“The presentation was a fantastic way to reinforce some key messages which a powerpoint will never bring to life. The team was so easy to work with, open to ideas and went about their business as true professionals. The realism of the scenes were crafted to suit the audience and the interactive nature of it was invaluable. While hilarious and ever engaging, everyone walked away with a new level of understanding of some important issues relevant to the sport. I would highly recommend THiNK ABOUT iT to any industry, this team is amazing at what they can do.”
“ASADA uses theatre sports to teach athletes about topics like the risk of supplements, the consequences of doping, the implications of illicit drugs and reasons to report doping.
Each scene puts athletes in scenarios that challenge their thinking and stimulate their learning, in a comedic, fun and supportive environment. It enables them to explore how they make decisions in ethically grey scenarios, and teaches them the consequences of their decisions.
Importantly, it lets athletes ‘live’ real life situations they might face in their careers, without the threat of being sanctioned for making the wrong decision. In our tool-kit of anti-doping education options, this experience is invaluable.
Andy, Damien and their team are experts when it comes to breaking down barriers, tailoring scenarios, making people laugh, and building positive learning environments. We strongly recommend them for anyone looking to make their education program engaging, fun and high-impact.”
“We engaged Damien and Andy after hearing of the great work they do in the NRL to educate players. Think About iT attended our New Player Induction Camp and Delegates Conference to introduce and discuss some confronting and sensitive topics in the athlete wellbeing space. The session was such a fantastic alternative to a standard powerpoint presentation that had been done in the past. The whole energy of the group was shifted, players were engaged, challenged in their thinking, and left the session much more aware of how they may make decisions around their actions in the future”
We are committed to the following values and bring these to bear in all facets of what we do:
Respect: we run our sessions with compassion, openness and in a way which acknowledges diversity and values free speech.
Collaboration: we work hard to ensure we understand the needs of clients and believe that clear communication is key to effective an relationship.
Inclusiveness: we provide a safe space to explore social issues, engaging with our audience and including volunteers in our sessions.
Co-Founders and Directors of THiNK ABOUT iT Andy Ryan and Damien Freeleagus have been passionately creating, scripting and conducting theatre sports style workshops, with various clients such as the National Rugby League, White Ribbon, and the Australian Football League, for several years now.