How theatre changes lives: Our roadmap for social and cultural impact
At Monkey Baa Theatre Company, we believe one performance can change a life.
We’ve seen it happen. A young person sitting in a theatre for the very first time. A burst of laughter. A moment of stillness. A story that feels like it was written just for them.
These aren’t just nice moments. They matter deeply. They help young people feel seen. They spark curiosity, imagination and empathy.
But too many young Australians still miss out.
Why we built a Theory of Change
Our Theory of Change helps explain how Monkey Baa makes a difference — and how we know we’re on the right track.
It’s not just a strategy document. It’s a shared commitment to do better for young people. It outlines the challenges they face, the role we play and the impact we aim to deliver over time.
And most importantly, it shows how your support helps bring that vision to life.
What we’re responding to
Barriers to access remain a real issue. Many young people can’t attend live theatre because of distance, cost or lack of support.
At the same time, fewer opportunities exist for young people to grow their emotional literacy. And when stories on stage don’t reflect the real experiences of diverse young Australians, it reinforces a sense of exclusion.
We’re here to change that.
What we’re doing about it
Monkey Baa creates theatre that travels — reaching young people in cities, towns and remote communities across the country. Through our Theatre Unlimited initiative, we provide free and subsidised tickets, transport support and wraparound access to ensure no one is left out.
We also commission and produce new Australian works that speak to the lives of young people today — stories that are bold, inclusive and rooted in the reality of growing up in Australia.
Our work goes far beyond the stage. It builds empathy. It strengthens confidence. It brings people together.
Two types of impact
We organise our outcomes into two main categories: social and cultural.
Social outcomes reflect how young people grow as people — feeling more confident, connected and emotionally engaged. It’s about the way theatre supports wellbeing, inclusion and positive relationships.
Cultural outcomes focus on how young people engage with creativity and storytelling. They include a sense of belonging, increased curiosity about the arts, and a lifelong connection to Australian stories and theatre.
Both are essential. Together, they shape not only individual lives but also the cultural life of the nation.
Measuring what matters
To make sure we’re creating meaningful impact, we track a set of social impact indicators.
We look for moments of joy — spontaneous positive reactions that show young people are engaged.
We ask whether they felt seen in the stories. Whether they learned something new. Whether they felt more confident or less alone.
We also monitor who’s in the audience. Are we reaching more young people from underrepresented communities? Are new voices being added to the national storytelling landscape through the work we create?
If we see these changes, we know we’re on track.
