“Scuba for Change” is Stairway’s latest partner. Aside from financial support, they have provided safety and rescue training for a number of our staff and scholars, and 5 of our young people have become certified open water divers through their Dive Center at the Sunset Resort, just across from Stairway’s Learning and Resource Center. SFC’s interest in child protection is, however, not limited to Sea or dive related activities. Hosting Cracked Mirrors here in Melbourne is a way for them to introduce the unique concept around their Dive Business locally, while at the same time helping to break the silence around child sexual abuse and exploitation and offer local audiences a glimpse into Stairway and our Break the Silence Campaign.
Since its premiere more than 10 years ago, “Cracked Mirrors” has touched thousands of audiences on 3 different continents. Currently, we are in Melbourne, where the play and the animation “Red Leaves Falling” are being presented at the Burke Theatre in Mentone, and at the Star of the Sea College in Gardenvale.
Cracked Mirrors is a bold attempt communicating the deep pain and suffering children go through as a result of sexual abuse and exploitation. Composed of 4 monologues that present 4 different stories about child sexual abuse, Cracked Mirrors plays a key role in Stairway’s advocacy efforts for prevention of Child Sexual Abuse.
The play is performed with utmost conviction by 4 members of Stairway’s homegrown theater group, TASK (Talented Ambitious Street Kids), who themselves used to dwell on the streets. The authenticity they manage to emote throughout their monologues stems from their personal relation to the issue of abuse that they confront.
Another aspect that distinguishes “Cracked Mirrors” from other theater plays is the open forum following the play, which opens opportunities for a most engaging discussion on the issue of child sexual abuse. This is where the actors tell the audience that they themselves are survivors of child sexual abuse, which reaffirms the authenticity of the play and sends out a powerful message that child sexual abuse is a reality. The post-performance session brings the play to a more personal level through interaction between the audience and the performers.
After the opening night at the Shirley Burke Theater in Mentone, Melbourne, one of the people in the audience shared that she found the play entertaining despite the seriousness of the topic. “The issues in the story were serious yet it was done in a humorous way, which makes it catch the attention of the viewers”.
The drama teacher of Star of the Sea College rounded off last night’s commentary stating that the play she had just witnessed was a World Class piece of theatre. She found it an effective communication strategy to convey the message of child sexual abuse. “The message, which is impressive and educational, was delivered clearly and with a strong sense of authenticity. It really captures the heart of the audience”.
And that is exactly what we are out to do!