Cirrus@Austlit

'In this paper, I briefly introduce the participatory drama practice that the Griffith University Applied Theatre team has been engaged in within the context of new arrivals over the last ten years. I then turn to discuss resilience and the importance of hope, belonging and connectedness in the lives of new arrivals. This is followed by a description of a participatory drama program that occurred with a specific group of year 11 and 12 students with refugee and asylum seeker backgrounds during two school terms in 2016. The drama program that took place at one Brisbane high school, in Queensland, Australia, was designed as an intervention to support the young people based on the school's assessment of their particular needs. I then turn to reflect on the program's achievements against the stated goals. To do this I draw on my own observations as well as interviews with the students and one of the teachers. I conclude that the participatory drama program was a valuable and joyful intervention for these young people.' (Abstract)