Resilience Training Through Laughter
Venue: School Hall, Drama Room, Multi-purpose Space, Theatre

Resilience Training Through Laughter is a dynamic and empowering workshop designed to build resilience, emotional strength, empathy, and creative expression through the transformative power of laughter.

Led by Clint Bolster — a seasoned performer, educator, and mentor — this workshop invites students to engage with physical theatre, clowning, improvisation, and playful human connection to foster personal growth, confidence, and community. Students are encouraged to reconnect with their authentic selves, build vulnerability into strength, and find joy in their individuality. Students develop critical social-emotional skills that support lifelong wellbeing and adaptability by embracing laughter as a gateway to emotional resilience.

Throughout this workshop – students will:

• Engage in physical theatre and clowning exercises that cultivate joy, vulnerability, and connection.
• Explore the role of laughter in dismantling fear, building confidence, and encouraging authentic self-expression.
• Develop emotional resilience by embracing mistakes, celebrating imperfections, and thriving in unpredictable situations.
• Participate in collaborative activities that strengthen empathy, teamwork, and communication skills.
• Reflect on the role of play and creativity in mental health, wellbeing, and personal growth.

The workshop is energetic, fun, and deeply meaningful. It offers students practical strategies for emotional regulation, self-care, and building positive relationships.

KEY LEARNING OUTCOMES

THE ARTS – DRAMA (Years 7–12):

Years 7–8

• ACADRM040: Develop roles and characters consistent with the situation, dramatic forms, and performance styles.
• ACADRM043: Perform devised and scripted drama, using voice and movement to sustain belief in character.

Years 9–10

• ACADRM048: Perform devised and scripted drama focusing on non-verbal communication, improvisation, and physical storytelling.
• ACADRM049: Evaluate how the elements of drama, forms, and performance styles convey meaning and influence audiences.

Senior Drama (Years 11–12)

• Exploration of non-realist forms, including physical theatre and clowning.
• Application of ensemble and improvisational techniques to create dynamic performances that explore personal and collective experiences.
• Reflection on the relationship between performer and audience in building emotional engagement and resilience.

HPE [7-12]:

Years 7–8

• ACPPS070: Investigate strategies and practices that enhance their own, others’, and the community’s health, safety, and wellbeing.
• ACPPS074: Investigate how emotional responses vary in different situations and how to manage these responses.

Years 9–10

• ACPPS091: Evaluate factors that shape identities and critically analyse how individuals impact the identities of others.
• ACPPS092: Plan, rehearse and evaluate options for managing emotional responses and social interactions.

Senior Health and Physical Education (Years 11–12)

• Study of wellbeing frameworks focusing on resilience, emotional regulation, mindfulness, and building positive social support systems.
• Application of positive psychology principles through laughter and community-building activities.

GENERAL CAPABILITIES (Years 7–12):

Personal and Social Capability

• Develop resilience, initiative, empathy, and adaptability through collaborative and improvisational experiences.
• Build confidence in expressing thoughts, emotions, and individuality.

Critical and Creative Thinking

• Develop divergent thinking and problem-solving strategies through improvisation and play.
• Adapt quickly to changing circumstances with creative flexibility.

Ethical Understanding

• Reflect on the power of kindness, inclusion, and human connection in strengthening personal and collective wellbeing.

STYLE / FORM:

• Physical Theatre and Clowning
• Improvisational Play
• Non-verbal and Expressive Movement
• Storytelling through Body and Gesture
• Ensemble Creation and Group Dynamics

Devised by: Clint Bolster