What The Ocean Said
Meditation, projections and storytelling
James Brown and collaborators
Term 2
Join creativity and wellness for young students, with our specially commissioned new storytelling and meditation experience with digital projections. This is a sensory world of vivid storytelling, dreamy electronic music, animation, and the wonder of our Sydney harbour.
In the Centre for Creativity | Creative Learning
Suitable for Early Stage 1 - Stage 3
This event is recommended for Years K - 3
Three sessions on 29 August - 31 August 2023
Wednesday 30 August at 10am, 11.30am & 1.30pm
Standard tickets from $25
One complimentary teacher per 15 students
| Ticket | Description & price |
|---|---|
| Student | All student ticketholders |
| Standard | $25 |
| Teacher | All teacher ticketholders |
| One complimentary teacher per 15 students |
$0 |
| Additional teacher | $25 |
Prices correct at the time of publication and subject to change without notice. Students must be accompanied at all times.
Authorised ticket agency for this event is Sydney Opera House
The duration of this event is 60 mins
Event duration is a guide only and may be subject to change
In English | Wheelchair accessible
Please advise us upon booking if you have any particular learning or mobility needs for us to support.
Find out more about accessibility at Sydney Opera House.
Thank you to our donors
What the Ocean Said is a Sydney Opera House New Work Now commission, enabled by Jane & Russell Kift and by the Turnbull Foundation.
A sensory world of vivid storytelling
What The Ocean Said is a relaxing storytelling experience for both students and teachers.
You are invited to relax amidst a magical space of calm in a sea of pillows. In this meditation, we imagine what it would be like to transform into a bird and fly above the harbour, morph into a humpback whale diving deep into the water, and expand into the reaches of the ocean itself. With mindfulness techniques wrapped up in a storytime adventure, we’ll introduce younger children to meditation, and offer bigger kids a whole new perspective.
Thank you to our donors
What the Ocean Said is a Sydney Opera House New Work Now commission, enabled by Jane & Russell Kift and by the Turnbull Foundation.
Presented by Sydney Opera House
Looking for the children & families performance?
What The Ocean Said
02 Sep 2023 - 03 Sep 2023
Part guided meditation, part magical story, What The Ocean Said is a sensory world of vivid storytelling, dreamy electronic music, animation, and wonder.
Venue Information
In line with the NSW Public Health Order, venue capacity is currently limited to 75%. This includes all performances in the Joan Sutherland Theatre, Studio, Playhouse, Drama Theatre and Utzon Room. Please note that you may be seated directly alongside other patrons.
Our foyers will be open 60 minutes pre-show for Joan Sutherland Theatre performances, and two hours pre-show for Western Foyer venue performances. Refreshments will be available for purchase from our theatre bars. Please remember to maintain physical distancing whilst consuming drinks in our foyers.
All Sydney Opera House foyers are pram accessible, with lifts to the main and western foyers. The public lift to all foyers is accessible from the corridor near the escalators on the Lower Concourse and also in the Western Foyer via the corridor on the Ground Level (at the top of the escalators). Pram parking will be available outside the theatres in the Western Foyer consistent with COVID-safe rules.
Transport options
- We encourage you to use private transport options to minimise crowding on public transport (in line with NSW Government advice).
- The Sydney Opera House Car Park, operated by Wilson Parking, is open and available to use. Wilson Parking offer discounted parking if you book ahead. Please see their website for details.
- Please check the Transport NSW website for the latest advice and information on travel and COVID-19 safety measures. You can catch public transport (bus, train, ferry) to Circular Quay and enjoy a 6 min walk to the Opera House.
Frequently Asked Questions - Schools
What time do I need to arrive before the event?
We recommend your group arrives early at the venue, at least 45 minutes prior to the performance start time.
If you are late, we will seat you as soon as possible, but please be aware that some events have lock out periods where late comers cannot be admitted until a suitable break in the performance. Occasionally this is not until the interval, and in some instances late comers won’t be admitted at all.
Please call Front of House on 02 9250 7134 to notify us if your group is running late.
Where is the closest location for bus parking and drop off?
The closest location to disembark from buses and coaches is on Macquarie Street. Please contact City of Sydney to confirm bus and coach set down areas. We recommend allowing an additional 10 minutes for walking from Macquarie Street. There is no bus parking onsite at Sydney Opera House.
What are the transport options to the Opera House?
Circular Quay is the closest station for public transport via train, bus and ferry. We recommend allowing 15 minutes to walk from Circular Quay for school groups. To view timetable information and ensure your public transport needs can be met, please contact Transport NSW. Please check the Transport NSW website for the latest advice and information on COVID-19 safety measures for public transport.
Is there storage for school bags?
The safety and security of everyone visiting our site is paramount. We require all items larger than the dimensions of an A4 piece of paper to be cloaked. As our cloakrooms have limited space, we request that where possible teachers and students do not bring large bags/backpacks with them to the performance.
Does Sydney Opera House have a Risk Assessment policy?
Download our Risk Assessment Information 2021 here.
Where can I eat nearby?
If your students are bringing a packed lunch, Royal Botanic Gardens adjacent to the Opera House is quite pleasant in fine weather. Or our restaurants offer everything from casual snacks to kid friendly meals. See our Restaurants.
Can I take food and drink inside the venue?
Food and drink are permitted inside the foyers, but not in the venues.
What if our school group can't attend the performance?
Please contact our Creative Learning Ticketing Specialists on 02 9250 7770 as soon as possible to advise if your group can no longer attend. If your group can no longer attend because your school is located in a hotspot, or has had a positive case of COVID-19 symptoms, the Opera House has introduced flexible ticketing options to help you.
Frequently Asked Questions - Venue
What time do I need to arrive before the event?
We advise that you arrive 15 minutes prior to the event.
Ticket purchases and collection at our Box Office is discouraged and eTicket or postal delivery methods should be used, wherever possible. However, if you are collecting your tickets from the Box Office, we recommend doing this at least 60 minutes before the event starts.
Will there be bag checks, and is cloaking available?
In line with our venue security procedures, Opera House security will be scanning and checking bags under the Monumental Stairs, or within the western foyers, prior to entering the building. Bags will be scanned by an x-ray machine, and staff will wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) when handling your belongings, such as gloves. Cloaking facilities will only be open 60 minutes pre-show for Centre for Creativity activities. However it is strongly encouraged you travel lightly and do not bring items that require cloaking e.g. handbags bigger than A4-size, backpacks and umbrellas, which are not permitted inside our venues, this will assit with minimising contact and queuing.
What if I can't come to the event?
Please contact Box Office on 9250 7777 as soon as possible to advise if you can no longer attend. If you can no longer attend because you are unwell, or have been in contact with someone displaying COVID-19 symptoms, the Opera House has introduced flexible ticketing options to help you, find out more information here.
Who are the authorised ticket sellers for this event?
The authorised agency for this event is the Sydney Opera House.
Only tickets purchased by authorised agencies should be considered reliable. If you purchase tickets from a non-authorised agency such as Ticketmaster Resale, Viagogo, Ticketbis, eBay, Gumtree, Tickets Australia or any other unauthorised seller you risk that these tickets are fake, void or have previously been cancelled. RESALE RESTRICTION APPLIES. For more details, please refer to our General Terms and Conditions for Tickets and Attendance at Events.
Will there be food and beverages available to be purchased in the venue?
Food and beverages will not be allowed in the Centre for Creativity, unless specified in the event. Opera Bar, Opera Kitchen and Portside are also available to purchase food before your event. Please bring a credit or debit card for any on site purchases to enable contactless payment.
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