These are some of the harrowing yet true life experiences of the young refugees that feature in Treehouse Theatre production Suitcase Stories, coming to Mittagong next week. 

On Friday, February 9 the Highlands will welcome a group of teenage Western Sydney students to share their stories on the stage at Clubbe Hall. 

The performance is a fusion of verbatim theatre – written from the student’s own perspective – movement, sound and projected imagery. 

Hailing from Iraq, Afghanistan and Syria, the Holroyd High students participated in an intensive English language program before being given the option to join the theatre group to openly discuss and perform their past and present journeys. 

Founders of Treehouse Theatre, child psychologist Catherine Maguire-Donvito and drama teacher Ruth Hartcher-O’Brien, said the program functions as a form of therapy for the students.

“We want to share the stories of refugees and help them recover from their trauma,” Hartcher-O’Brien said.

“It’s been overwhelmingly successful. We have had about 200 students through the program and seen a miraculous transformation among them.”

Many of the students find hope in sharing their stories, which Hartcher O’Brien said promoted understanding. 

“It is an amazing thing to feel yourself wholeheartedly accepted by 600 people in an audience. 

“One young girl said to me after her performance, ‘before Treehouse Theatre my story controlled me and now I control my story’.

“Our purpose is for Australia to open their arms, to be the best we can be, and to say ‘yes – you’ve been through stuff I cannot imagine and welcome’”.

Suitcase Stories is at Clubbe Hall on Friday, February 9 at 7pm. Details: https://www.trybooking.com/book/event?eid=316874