TOXICITY: RPAC Production
TOXICITY: A dazzling new double bill of work for young people and the people that care for them.
A Co-Production by Assembly of Elephants and debase productions
Funny, provocative and vital, TOXICITY explores the lives of young people as they navigate the riptides of school and relationships – in the wake of a tsunami of social media.
TOXICITY
is
Popping Lead Balloons by Bridget Boyle, Robert Kronk and Liz Skitch
Join Mel as she walks down the not-so-sweet memory lane of her high school years – when bitching became an art form and a text message could collapse your social life. This is contemporary girl culture, with its complicated status games and high-tech bullying.
and
Rowan’s Story by Elaine Acworth
How do you ‘do’ first love, when your 5 year old self saw intimacy as scary? Unpack the generational impacts of gendered violence as an awkward, determined 17-year-old haltingly navigates sexuality, friendship and his first intimate relationship.
History
The two plays, Popping Lead Balloons and Rowans’ Story came out of intensive engagement with students in the Brisbane area during 2024 and 2025 (UQ Drama Education students, Yeronga, Kelvin Grove, MacGregor and Cleveland District State High Schools, and Alexandra Hills TAFE Senior College), allowing the works to unwrap the lives of young people in ways that are authentic, funny, provocative and respectful. They emphasize young people’s autonomy and choice and foster discussion of critical issues in a safe and supported way.
For an in-depth dive into the development of the TOXICITY project, please visit: TOXICITY: Development Journey
Event Details
Date: Friday 6 June, 2026
Times: 10.30am and 7.00pm
Location: Redland Performing Arts Centre
A free community event, but tickets strictly limited
Creatives
Director: Bridget Boyle
Set and Costume Designer: Simona Cosentini
Sound Designer and Composer: Morgan Francis
Vision Designers: Nevin Howell and Marshall Gray
Lighting Designer and Stage Manager: Freddy Komp
Producers: Elaine Acworth and Bridget Boyle
Photography: Stephen Henry
Digital Capture: Pixel Frame
Cast
Popping Lead Balloons: Janaki Gerard, Judy Hainsworth, Jade Lomas-Ronan
Rowan’s Story: Janaki Gerard, Judy Hainsworth, Jade Lomas-Ronan, Jack mahoney, Dimitri Politis
Warnings
TOXICITY contains references to coercive and controlling behaviours, sexual references and references to bodily functions, hazing and swearing. Suitable for MA 15 +
It may use haze, strobe effects and loud/disturbing sounds.
Youth Engagement
The broader TOXICITY project comprises the double bill production and accompanying workshop/s with their Learning Support Material (LSM). The LSM is detailed and specific, and includes workshop plans, student response booklets, sample assessment tasks and curriculum links.
Student participants record their thoughts and feelings on gender stereotypes and peer group friendships during the workshops. These vox pops are then incorporated by our Vision Designer into the mainstage production showing in their community.
Workshop Curriculum
Links to the curriculum include:
● learning strands within Yr 10-12 English and Drama (incl Eng IA1; Drama IA1, IA2);
● SOSE: Civics and Citizenship, Research Report and Infographic;
HPE: Personal, Social and Community Health, Research Report, Short Video Campaign
Acknowledgements
The TOXICITY Project is supported by the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland.
Rowan’s Story and Toxicity are supported by the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland.
Proudly supported by the Redland City Council through the Redland Performing Arts Centre.
Elaine Acworth was the 2025 Rodney Seaborn Playwrights Award Winner, Awarded for her play Rowan’s Story