The Hurting Game

Wellbeing & Anti Bullying Program

A funny and engaging live performance for high school students that provides strategies for resilience, help-seeking, online safety and positive friendships. Supported by a Q&A and curriculum-aligned classroom resources.

This resilience program for high schools explores the skills we need to cope with life’s challenges and build meaningful connections.

Maddie and Tom are childhood friends. As they move through high school Maddie’s group begins to spread rumours and exclude her. She retreats into an unhealthy online world of perfectionism, anxiety and the unrealistic standards of social media.

Tom succumbs to peer pressure, deliberately failing subjects and harassing other students. Videos of him engaging in anti social behaviour are posted online, putting his digital reputation at risk.

During an explosive argument they realise they are both struggling to cope with the pressure. By reflecting on their past, they discover that resilience, respect, self-compassion and authentic friendships are key to their future wellbeing.

‘The Hurting Game’ is developed in consultation with a clinical psychologist and uses real student experiences to engage young people in meaningful conversations about their mental health and online lives.

Designed to be a creative and engaging addition to your student wellbeing program, this live theatre experience provides a rich stimulus for further discussion and learning in the classroom.

Brainstorm Productions is listed as an evidence-based program on the Victorian Schools Mental Health Menu. Brainstorm is also endorsed by the eSafety Commissioner as a Trusted eSafety Provider.

Absolutely fantastic! Basically covered the Health Curriculum in 50 minutes! If you could organise a drama that does the same for Maths, that would be awesome!! Five stars.

A creative, informative and engaging performance that enriched our students’ understanding of how to navigate the many complex issues that can affect their wellbeing. Complemented our wellbeing program and PDHPE curriculum very well. Five stars.

Outstanding! Issues were handled in a very real, creative, current & sensitive manner. Aligned neatly with our Wellbeing Program. The supporting resources are fantastic! Five stars.

Thoroughly enjoyed by all! Covered all the issues impacting our students in an up to date, entertaining and educational format. Excellent lesson plans which go hand in hand with the curriculum and our health and wellbeing programs. Five stars.

Captivating! Students were fascinated! Highly engaging, real, authentic, humorous and informative. Relevant themes of interpersonal relationships, social media use, peer pressure, body image and self esteem. 10/10

Extremely positive and moving. The relatable progression through stages of life was fantastic! 10/10

Congratulations! Impressive performance dealing with difficult issues that students face. It was clear the students loved it and many themes really resonated with them. Actors were super professional and students responded to them very well. Thank you! 10/10

A quality performance! Students were captivated from the beginning. Creative, humorous, relevant and meaningful. The actors were fantastic! It was clear the boys were able to take something away from the production. It gave them a lot to think about!

Entertaining, creative and relatable! Made students more aware of problems they may face on social media so they could reflect and make positive changes. The Q&A was fun and very useful. Great work! 10/10

Dynamic! Highly engaging and applicable to this audience. Unpacked important, real-life issues for our students. Opened their minds to how friendship circles and relationships can be toxic or authentic and positive. 10/10

Students said it was an amazing show! Covered a wide range of topics in a really engaging, sensitive way. Actors were sensational - natural and real. Loved the gamification of the production! Great interactive Q&A. 10/10

The play was excellent! Strong messages for young people that will help their development. Students were engaged and involved - laughed in all the right places. The performers were good role models and very talented!

Perfectly aimed at this group of students [Yrs 9-10]! After some discussion my students talked of changing behaviours they wouldn't have even worried about before. The piece was well rehearsed and the actors highly professional! 10/10

Very engaging and relevant! Excellent comments and feedback from students at the end. Lots of energy from the start of the production, great to watch. Actors were outstanding! 10/10.

Dynamic, entertaining and touched on real life topics: friendship, interacting with peers and social media. Supports our anti bullying, cyber safety and student wellbeing programs. 10/10

Highly entertaining and age appropriate! Excellent acting! Great Q&A and help-seeking advice. Supports our anti bullying and cyberbullying programs. 10/10

Each high school program includes:

A 50 minute live theatre performance, with themes and outcomes aligned with the curriculum and key wellbeing, bullying and cyber safety frameworks. The actors are young, professional performers who are positive role models for your students.
A 5-10 minute discussion with the students, in which key themes and practical strategies are explored and help-seeking information is provided. Students also have the opportunity to ask the actors questions.
A Teacher Resource Pack, containing:
- Pre-performance resources, including permission slip, newsletter insert, promotional tools, compliance documents and everything else you need to prepare for the day.
- Curriculum-aligned classroom resources, including lesson plans, discussion points, extension activities, worksheets and online resources.
- Printable A3 colour posters to promote the show.
Full support from our Booking Coordinators, who are available from 8am to 5pm weekdays to guide you through the process and answer any questions you may have.

The Hurting Game Student Wellbeing Program Covers:

The Australian Curriculum: General Capabilities (Personal & Social Capability, Ethical Understanding, Critical & Creative Thinking, Intercultural Understanding, ICT Capability, Literacy), HPE, The Arts, English, Digital Technologies, Online Safety & Respect Matters Curriculum Connections.

NSW: PDHPE, Creative Arts, English.

VIC: Drama, Critical & Creative Thinking, English, Ethical Capability, HPE, Civics & Citizenship, Intercultural Capability, Personal & Social Capability, Digital Technologies.

Also supports: The Australian Student Wellbeing Framework, Best Practice Framework for Online Safety Education, eSafety Toolkit for Schools, The National Education Initiative (Be You), National Framework for Values Education in Australian Schools & Pastoral Care. Supports Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL), eSmart Schools, and other programs that promote student wellbeing, anti bullying, behaviour management, resilience, cyber safety, mental health and positive relationships in schools.

What sort of venue do we need?

An indoor venue with access to electricity. There is no need for any special theatre style venue as the show works best in an open space, with students seated on the floor. A school hall or gym is ideal but we can also use triple classroom areas, libraries etc. Unfortunately due to WHS we cannot use outdoor areas. If you have an unusual venue and would like to discuss it with us please contact our team on 1800 676 224.

What is the cost and how does the minimum fee structure work?

Our maximum audience size for this performance is 250. The cost is $9 per student (+GST) with a minimum fee of $990 (+GST) applying when less than 110 students attend. Our office will email you a tax invoice after the show, based on the number of students that attended.

What provisions do you have in place for supporting child safety and wellbeing?

We are a Child Safe Organisation and comply with all aspects of Child Protection and screening in each state and territory. We have Risk Assessments in place and all our actors are trained in WHS, appropriate behaviour in schools, dealing with student disclosures and providing appropriate help-seeking information. Scripts have been researched and developed in consultation with teachers and a Clinical Psychologist.

What will the actors need on the day?

The actors will arrive one hour and fifteen minutes before the performance time to sign in and access the venue. The shows are performed on the floor (preferably NOT a stage), no chairs please. They have all their own equipment.

For more information please go to our FAQ page, or call us on:

1800 676 224

Please note: this performance contains references to eating disorders, body image issues and mental health. Teachers please contact us to discuss if you have any concerns about the content. All mental health references are followed up with relevant help-seeking information and are informed by Mindframe’s guidelines for portraying mental ill-health on stage and screen.

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1800 676 224

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