This is How We Survive

This is How We Survive invites the audience into an immersive exploration of human resilience, integrating short cinematic pieces, immersive sound design, and poetic storytelling. Will Small weaves his powerful performance poetry and thoughtful storytelling around three portraits of human survival:

Helen, who grew up without a mother, and became a midwife, supporting mothers and babies in the earliest moments of survival and strength represented by the space of birth.

Rob, a Gomeroi man who survived a fatal car accident at 15 years old, and knows what it means to ‘be survival’ as part of the oldest surviving culture on earth.

Roje, who lived in a refugee camp between the ages of 4 and 12 before arriving in Newcastle and eventually becoming a registered nurse.

As a whole, This is How We Survive explores human resilience across time, cultures and geographies, providing a powerful reminder of the strength and persistence humans are capable of, even when faced with significant adversity.


The development of this project was supported by Creative Art Central, Central Coast Council 2023, and it has just received a suicide prevention grant for innovative projects from the Hunter New England Central Coast Primary Health Network (the PHN). Adapted versions of this work will be rolled out widely in a range of schools and community spaces.

This special launch event has been supported by The Art House and will include a performance of the work followed by a short Q&A with the creators.

*note: This event will take place in our Studio (directly opposite the café/bar). The Studio is General Admission unassigned seating. Please choose a seat from the seating bank upon arrival.