That’s exactly the spirit behind Story Builders, a three-day school holiday workshop created by local improvisation dynamo Emily Watson, left, and actor-writer Lucinda Cowden.
Emily is the founder of Improv For Life, a popular Peninsula-based program that helps people of all ages shake off self-doubt and learn to embrace the unexpected with confidence and humour. She is also a regular feature at the Flinders Fringe festival. Lucinda, best known for playing Melanie Pearson on Neighbours, brings decades of experience in acting, scriptwriting and character development. Together, the pair have designed a special creative experience for young people aged 10-16.
Running from July 14-16 at Mornington Community House, the Story Builders school holidays workshop is an exciting new opportunity for young people to step into the world of improvisation and performance.
The first two days are full of fun, high-energy workshops where children create characters, explore improvisation, and build a story together as a team. On the third day they perform their piece in front of friends and family. This is not a strict, scripted recital but a collaborative and improvised celebration of what they’ve created together. Expect lots of laughs and lots of surprises.
“This workshop is about so much more than performance,” Emily said. “It’s about giving young people a safe and playful space to grow. Improv helps them trust their ideas, speak up, work together, and see mistakes not as failures but as opportunities.”
Lucinda said: “As someone who’s worked professionally in TV and theatre, I know the most compelling performances come from presence and play. This workshop gives young people those foundations and shows them they’re capable of more than they thought.”
Behind the scenes, the learning is rich and impactful. The children will sharpen skills that translate directly to the classroom and beyond. They will enhance their abilities in active listening, teamwork, empathy, creative thinking, and resilience in the face of the unknown. For shy children, improv workshops can be a gentle invitation to step forward. For more confident ones, it’s a chance to grow in leadership and collaboration. And for everyone involved, it’s a lot of fun.
No stage experience is required, just a willingness to jump in, be curious, and say “yes” to the adventure of creating something new.
Whether your children dream of acting, could do with a boost in confidence, or simply love making up stories with friends, Story Builders is a chance for screen-free school holiday highlights. Places are limited, so bookings are advised at events.humanitix.com/story-builders-3-day-workshop-july-school-holidays-2025
