GENERAL INFORMATION
PP Information Hub:
A hub of information will be maintained on our website and is accessible at the following address: https://pp.lighthousetheatre.com.au
All the relevant information, links and schedules will be available to access via this online hub, and will be updated regularly. We will also be sending out regular information updates through email and SMS.
Contact Information:
If you need to contact us, please use the following contacts:
General Enquiries (including parent roster queries): Amanda Kenneally Lighthouse Theatre 5559 4999 or email lighthouse@warrnambool.vic.gov.au
Show Directors/Children Absent from Rehearsals: Kerry Ziegler on 0428 239 127
Performance Dates:
School Performances: Thursday 28th May 2026 at 11am & Friday 29th May 2026 at 11am
Public Performances: Friday 29th May 2026 at 6.30pm & Saturday 30th May at 2pm
EXPECTATIONS
Child Safety: Warrnambool City Council and Lighthouse Theatre are committed to the Victorian Government's Child Safe Standards; and ensuring we provide a safe environment for all children whilst attending our venue.
At Warrnambool City Council all children and young people are valued and respected members of our community. Children and young people have the right to be and feel listened to, safe, empowered and included in our services, programs and facilities and as such Warrnambool City Council is committed to creating and maintaining a child safe organisation.
Warrnambool City Council is committed to:
• Preventing child abuse occurring within our services, programs, and facilities.
• Creating an organisational culture of child safety and embedding child safety into the everyday thinking and practice of all councillors, council staff, contractors and volunteers.
• Setting clear expectations of councillors, council staff, contractors and volunteers as to what is required to keep children safe.
• Ensuring councillors, council staff, contractors and volunteers are clear about their responsibilities when they suspect abuse, harm or neglect of a child.
• Ensuring all suspected child abuse is reported and fully investigated.
We acknowledge, respect and appreciate the unique histories, culture, connection to Country and cultural safety of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, young people and their families. We are committed to creating a culturally safe and inclusive environment.
Warrnambool City Council values diversity, equity and inclusion. We commit to paying particular attention to the needs of children and young people with disability, from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, those who are unable to live at home, and who identify as LGBTIQA+
Council & Lighthouse Theatre have developed a set of Child Safety Policies, Compliance Guidelines and Conduct Guidelines, that all staff, volunteers and PP participants must abide by during the program. The Child Safe policy documents are available on the Lighthouse Theatre website, accessible via the PP Info Hub, and a copy of the Child Safe Conduct Guidelines are provided with this information sheet for all parents/guardians to view. All parents/guardians are considered to have accepted abiding by these guidelines when they sign up their children for the program. Queries regarding the Child Safe policies can be directed to Lighthouse Theatre staff.
When attending rehearsals, supervisors will wear pink vests and volunteers will wear identification lanyards supplied by the lighthouse theatre. This allows them to be easily identified to children directors & other parents/guardians. All supervisors will be shown how to assist children with any questions or concerns they have during the rehearsal. The Directors and Lighthouse Theatre staff can also assist where necessary.
All parents Volunteering within the program will have to sign up as a volunteer separately to their child/children registration and are expected to have a working with children's check that lists Warrnambool City Council as a place they volunteer. Direction on how to add Warrnambool City council to your working with children can be found on the PP Hub.
Rehearsals and Expected Participation Level: Rehearsals are held each Wednesday from 3.45pm to 5.15pm and Sunday from 9/10am to 12.00pm (excluding school holidays). We ask that each child should attend a minimum of 80% of rehearsals; otherwise, they may not be able to fully participate in the show. A rehearsal schedule is available to view via the online hub. Occasionally, there may be some rehearsals where children will not be required to attend, however this is the exception rather than a rule and will be clearly communicated to parents.
Parent/Guardian Volunteering Commitment: We ask that each family has at least one parent/guardian volunteer in one aspect of the program. All families will be expected to volunteer as a rehearsal assistant at a minimum, and a roster for this will be developed in the first 2-3 weeks of the program.
We also ask that parents/guardians consider how they can assist in other production aspects - each production team will have a team leader that can be contacted to discuss how you might be able to be involved in this area. More information on this will be available during the family information session on Sunday 1st of February 2026.
Pickup & Drop Off of Children: Regardless of where the rehearsal is taking place within the venue (Main Theatre or in the upstairs Studio), all children MUST be dropped off and picked up from the Lighthouse Theatre Main Entry (Foyer). This is to ensure each child is signed in and out as stated below.
As per our child safety guidelines, an adult parent/guardian must sign their child in and out on drop off and pickup. Children are not permitted to sign themselves in or out.
Children’s Behaviour during Rehearsals: We expect all children in the program to be well behaved when at the theatre and treat the venue with respect. Therefore, there is no running allowed in the venue and definitely no jumping off the stage. We ask that they always use their best manners when talking to each other, as well as the organisers, staff & volunteers, and parents. While other children are rehearsing & reading lines, all other children are asked to please remain quiet. We ask that you do not bring electronic devices (inc. iPads, iPhones, computers or toys) to the rehearsal to prevent distractions and also to prevent damage to personal belongings. Children will be required to listen to any directions from the Directors or Supervisors in pink vests during rehearsals.
Food & Drink: Food and drink can be consumed in the Green Room only and we ask that children bring a healthy snack and capped water bottles to prevent mess. Our theatre is a ‘chewing gum’ free zone.
Lost Property: If you do happen to leave something behind, please contact the Box Office on 5559 4999. The Lighthouse Theatre takes no responsibility for any lost or broken personal items that have been brought to the venue during rehearsals. Expensive or delicate items must not be brought to rehearsals.
REGISTRATION PROCESS & COSTS
This program uses an Expression of Interest process for children who wish to take part. Due to overwhelming popularity for participating, and restrictions on the maximum cast size we can accommodate, this is the best way to ensure a fair and balanced cast for the performance. It will not be a first in-best dressed selection. Only children in Grades 1 to 6 in 2026 will be accepted.
Expressions of Interest will open on the PP Info Hub at https://pp.warrnambool.vic.gov.aufrom 12pm Saturday 13th December 2025 & close at 5pm Wednesday 17st December 2025. If you wish for your child/children to take part in the program, they must be registered for the EOI prior to the closing time. Late EOI’s can not be accepted, and the EOI period is not competitive. The form is device-friendly and Lighthouse Theatre staff can assist if you are having technical difficulties.
Following the close of the EOI, the Directors & Program Leaders will review the expressions and confirm a cast of children based on the available registrations. We want to ensure an even spread of ages across the program.
All parents/guardians will be notified via email of the outcome of the EOI by no later than 5pm Monday 22nd December 2025. If you have been selected for the program, the email will contain a link to register your child, where you can then pay the registration fee of $70.
Registration & payment must be completed prior to the first rehearsal. If you have difficulty receiving emails or paying the registration fee, please contact the Lighthouse Theatre for assistance, we are more than happy to discuss your situation and assist where possible.
Working with Children Check: We require all parents/guardians who are volunteering with the program to hold a current Working with Children Check card, with Warrnambool City Council list as a place you volunteer to ensure compliance with Council’s Child Safety Policy & the Child Safe Standards.
If you hold a WWCC or VIT (Victorian Institute of Teaching) card, please upload it online during the volunteer registration process or bring the original card to the Box Office for sighting and copying, or you can provide an authorised copy to the theatre.
If you do not have a WWCC, Volunteer Cards are free to apply for. Assistance can be provided if required.
Volunteers working must sign in at the start and end of each rehearsal at the sign in table, so we are aware who is working with the group during the program. You must also wear an identification lanyard supplied by the lighthouse theatre.
Illness: If you are feeling unwell or sick we ask you to not attend rehearsals, this safeguards everyone in the programs. If you are unable to attend rehearsal for any reasons – please contact Kerry on 0428 239 127.
OTHER QUESTIONS OR INFORMATION
If you have any other queries or require further information, please contact the Amanda Kenneally or Meg Deyell at Lighthouse Theatre on 5559 4999 or at lighthouse@warrnambool.vic.gov.au