" I highly recommend the work of Bryan Derrick and the Theatre of Transformation. In my address to the joint sitting of the Victorian Parliament, I commended the work of Bryan as a strategy to help young people address the issues they face in today's society."
Andrew Hamilton, Past Principal
Heatherhill Secondary College, Springvale
"It's a form of communication that cannot be surpassed. It jumps all barriers and shoots straight to the heart. I feel it has raised my self-esteem and it's given me an outlet to express my creativity. It has allowed me to address problems in my life and thus fix them."
Daniel, A student from
Heatherhill Secondary College, Springvale
"Theatre of Transformation gave me the life skills and confidence I took with me into the real world. It's the best thing that ever happened to me at school."
Chris Pullar, Past Student, CBC St Kilda
"Chris has emerged a responsible, confident young man, at peace with himself and recognizing his responsibility to look after himself and others."
Ian Pullar, father of Chris
"...personally transformative and professionally stimulating... I feel challenged to be the most creative I can be as a teacher, therapist, friend, and person...an amazingly transformative experience... has parallels in systemic and family - sensitive thinking and practice with an innovative twist! It gets people to be aware of oppressive scenarios and non therapeutic ways of changing perceptions and behaviour in these situations."
"As you know I found the training that I had with you for the two weeks to be personally transformative and professionally stimulating nwith lots of ideas of using the Theatre of Transformation ideas in training and in my clinical work. I found your attention to detail and the very supportive and positively affirming way in which you gave your feedback at the end of each session accelerated my learning in becoming a theatre director...so to speak. It taught me much about my own anxieties and insecurities in relation to trusting my own capacities. You putting pressure on me virtually was a vote of confidence in my abilities and it proved to be very therapeutic for me."
Banu Moloney
Counseling Psychologist, Family Therapist, Lecturer,
The Bouverie Centre, La Trobe University
"Bryan has worked with our year 12's for the last two years at our annual Year 12 Conferences. It really is a privilege to watch Bryan work with young people. He has had a lasting and spectacular impact on them. Bryan has our highest recommendations and we appreciate his efforts on behalf of the students of our College."
Year 12 Co-ordinator,
Highvale Secondary College
"Every so often, we as teachers are presented with an opportunity to witness student work which can only be described as 'very special'. The 'Theatre Of Transformation' is one such event. The students involved have created a series of incredibly powerful scenarios and themes and combined them to present a 'show', which is confronting, challenging and so realistic. The opportunity is one not to be missed and incorporates so many of the elements of comprehensive personal development education relevant to our 'You Can Do It' and 'Step' programs."
John Pearce, Student Welfare Co-ordinator,
Eaglehawk Secondary College
"Bryan's outstanding creativity has already offered to the Australian people a gift that nourishes the soul."
Clare Koch RSJ Secretariat
Following Bryan's direction of the Closing Ceremonies
at the beatification of Mother Mary Mckillop by Pope John Paul II.
'The use of fire, light drama, sound and dance moved our liturgical expression into new realms of awe at gift of our humanity. Students were doing things that we couldn't have conceived and Bryan was the orchestrator, director, stage manager and producer. Simply the inspiration to new imaginings."
Tony Haintz, Damascus College, Ballarat
"Bryan's theatre and celebration explore the human condition and are strongly environmental and challenging."
"Outreach", Grief Counseling and Support Service, Fitzroy
"His sensitivity to the issues and his determination to tell people's stories with integrity...He has a commitment to developing the creative part of all with whom he works. His work reflects the man."
Bernie Durkin, Past Manager,
Wesley Community Contact Centre,
Homelessness Project, Ringwood, Victoria
"Brilliant. Should be adopted by all schools as a method of promoting resilience and student participation."
"Putting Research into Practice"
Conference for Principals & Co-ordinators,
Showcasing Drug Education Initiative
"The Forum Theatre Model is more than just another of the activities that fill the school week. It has the ability to inspire a quantum leap in personal development and understanding, and that is all one can ask of a school program."
Mr Pat Browne, Teacher & Mentor
"Our second and third year undergraduates were thoroughly engaged and absorbed by Theatre of Transformation as part of their Contemporary Health Issue course. It made their 'Book Learning' about the social, mental, emotional and sexual health issues of young people take on a three-dimensionality and added significance, as they became passionate participants in exploring these issues through theatre."
Dr Maria Pallotta-Chiarolli,
Senior Lecturer in Social University
Health and Education Deakin University Vic.
"A stunning theatrical event of explosive energy which shook the audience to its very foundations."
Roger Cripps, Past Principal
CBC St Kilda,
Passion Play, Westgate Park, Melbourne
"...How touched I was about the stand your students have made. As a kid who was 'poofta' bashed nearly every day of my high school life, it made me feel so good to hear that at least in some places attitudes are changing. I would like to send my thanks and congratulations to you and your students for helping make the world a little safer for gay men and lesbians."
John Davey,
Advisor to Senator Cheryl Kernot, Gay and Lesbian
Issues, Australian Democrats
