Resources for students and teachers
The Opera House’s Teacher Resources provide inspirational activities to watch, listen and read for students in the classroom or learning at home. Teachers should adapt these resources to suit the student age, stage and the lesson outcomes desired.
The resources will kick-start many collaborative conversations with students. From livestreamed talks and tours, to podcasts and videos from past performances, masterclasses and workshops, we've got it covered. Welcome to your House.
School kids write their migrant family stories into song
All ages
In 2019, students from Lansvale Public School co-created two songs with musician Luke Escombe as part of our Creative Leadership in Learning program.
Watch them sing their shared family history as they record their beautiful ballad and humorous ode to the Asian Supermarket.
From our stage to your classroom
Available on demand from our digital season
The Great Illusionist
Ages 8+
Discover the enchanting tale of a young boy who longs to be an illusionist, in this story within a story. Packed with cleverly executed tricks, it proves there’s more to magic than meets the eye!
Shaun Tan: Author Talk
Ages 10+
Discover the creative process behind The Red Tree and The Lost Thing, in this talk featuring best-selling Australian children’s author and illustrator Shaun Tan.
Ruby's Wish
Ages 6+
Through an unlikely friendship with a beatboxing clown doctor, Ruby’s time in hospital turns into an imaginative adventure. Watch her room change into a wonderland, where wishes really do come true!
Jessica Townsend: Author Talk
Ages 8+
Tune in to this inspiring talk about creativity and writing with record-breaking Australian children’s author Jessica Townsend. This talk, recorded in 2018, focuses on Jessica’s second book Wundersmith: The Calling of Morrigan Crow.
George meets the orchestra
Ages 3+
Follow George as he chats with players from the Sydney Youth Orchestra and learns all about the four families of the orchestra – strings, brass, woodwind and percussion.
Jazz masterclasses with Herbie Hancock and friends
Ages 12+
UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador Herbie Hancock and a number of internationally recognised jazz artists lead a series of masterclasses, exploring the history and artistry of jazz music.
After more? Read the director of International Jazz Day, Mika Shino share stories about the legendary Miles Davis, Herbie's legacy in music, and the liberating power of jazz.
Jazz masterclass with
Herbie Hancock
Performance with
Sound Circle
Big Band workshop with Antonio Hart
Rhythm section workshop with Hancock Fellows
Vocal masterclass with
Michael Mayo
Brass workshop with
James Morrison
Go behind the scenes of Emil and the Detectives and learn about the set design process
Ages 12+
In this five part series, designer Wendy Todd explains the set design process using Slingsby Theatre Company's production Emil and the Detectives
Learn how to make models inspired by Utzon's own designs
Ages 7+
For our 45th anniversary, we held a series of free workshops for kids, exploring the design principles of architect Jørn Utzon. In this five part series, make mini models and daring constructions.
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Tim Sharp Digital Artist Talk
Ages 9+
We hosted a special digital artist talk for World Autism Day with internationally acclaimed artist and author Tim Sharp. Tim has autism and has won fans from all around the world with his unique sense of humour and original art. Here, Tim appears alongside his mum Judy Sharp, and is interviewed by Jacqueline Marriott.
Through Laser Beak Man's Eyes
Ages 9+
As a fan of the Sydney Opera House, Tim Sharp takes us on a tour of the building and shares with us his unique point of view.
Beauty can be found in diversity, inclusion and looking at the world through the eyes of different people.
Bestselling children's author and illustrator Matt Stanton on creativity
Ages 4+
Catch up on our exclusive talk with bestselling children's author and illustrator Matt Stanton in celebration of Australian Reading Hour. Find out where Matt gets his inspiration from, his creative process and why reading and stories are important for development.
Drawing the Magic
Ages 5+
Take a look at the creative process behind the iconic characters of Hush and Grandma Poss from Possum Magic with illustrator Julie Vivas.
Behind the Magic
Ages 4+
Drawing inspiration form the world around her, join us on a visit to Julie Vivas' home studio to see where the magic happens.
Puppeteering
Ages 6+
Bring a puppet to life in four steps.
Meet the Dinosaurs
Ages 6+
Get up close and personal with the dinosaurs from Erth.
Arty Farty – A Podcast for Kids
Our new podcast Arty Farty – A Podcast for Kids has been created especially for Kid Creatives. We’re excited to share special moments, insights, tips, tricks and more from kids themselves, and creative types who appear here at the House.
Featured episodes
David Walliams
Ages 6+
David talks about his bestselling novel Billionaire Boy and the unlikely places he's found inspiration.
Listen on:
Jessica Townsend
Ages 7+
Award-winning author of the Nevermoor series, Jessica shares her tips and tricks for creating characters.
Listen on:
Henry Naylor
Ages 12+
Find out what inspires Henry to write plays and why he thinks it’s important to tell the stories that he does.
Listen on:
Classic Kids
Ages 2+
Introduce young listeners to musical soundscapes and classical compositions with the Classic Kids podcast and our interactive activity sheets.
Through sounds and storytelling, these resources are designed to help kids learn about the instrument families and develop their musical vocabulary.
How do you teach creativity?
Ages 12+
An interview with Paul Stanhope, Australian composer, conductor and educator on how the music in the adaptation of There's a Sea in My Bedroom came together.
Liverpool Boys High rewrites the school curriculum with creativity
Ages 12+
Principal Mike Saxon and his students are changing the way we learn.
Black Bear Magic
Ages 14+
We caught up with Candy Bowers and Melbourne rapper P-UniQue to chat the origins of hip hop fairytale One the bear, as well as bear-y important things like teenage identity and hip-hop in Australia.
Written resources for teachers
These resources relate to our free live stream tours, workshops and talks for classrooms.