Teachers Health and Bell Shakespeare announce major new partnership supporting Australian schools

Sydney, 10 August 2026

Bell Shakespeare has today announced a major new partnership with Teachers Health, which has become The Players National Tour Partner. The Players in-schools tour is Bell Shakespeare’s flagship education program. Young, dynamic actors perform fun, lively 50-minute plays for students in schools and communities right across Australia, introducing them to Shakespeare and live performance.

This collaboration reflects a shared belief in the value of providing rich arts education experiences for teachers and students. For many students - particularly those in regional and remote areas - their encounter with The Players will be the first time they have ever seen a live performance. Teachers Health’s support will help provide these transformative experiences for those who wouldn’t otherwise have the opportunity.

Bell Shakespeare and Teachers Health share a deep appreciation for teachers and a commitment to supporting the education communities that inspire, nurture and shape future generations of Australians. They will work on joint initiatives that support teachers during The Players in-schools tour with dedicated resources and access to wellbeing programs.

The partnership will provide invaluable support to keep The Players on the road, performing up to 500 times per year in metropolitan, regional and remote areas from Karratha to Katoomba. Thousands of students and teachers will have access to transformative learning experiences.

Executive Director James Evans said, “We are absolutely delighted to welcome Teachers Health to Bell Shakespeare’s community of supporters. Their enthusiasm for ensuring all school communities, regardless of geography or socioeconomic circumstances, have access to live theatre through The Players performances, is inspiring and affirming. We are incredibly grateful for the essential support they have committed to this important program, and I look forward to a long and fruitful collaboration.”

Simone Tregeagle, Group Chief Executive Officer at Teachers Health said, “Teachers Health was created by teachers for teachers, and supporting the education community remains at the heart of everything we do. That’s why we’re excited to partner with Bell Shakespeare and support The Players tour. The reach of this program is extraordinary. By expanding access to live theatre and learning opportunities to regional, remote and disadvantaged communities, it supports teachers and their students and helps strengthen local communities, which resonates strongly with our purpose. We are proud to play our part in supporting Bell Shakespeare in bringing innovative learning opportunities to schools across Australia.”

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Further information:

ABOUT BELL SHAKESPEARE

Bell Shakespeare is Australia’s national theatre company specialising in the works of William Shakespeare and his contemporaries. Founded in 1990 with the dream of sharing Shakespeare’s plays in a way that was relevant and exciting for Australians, the company has evolved further than its visionary founder, John Bell AO, could have hoped.

Today, Bell Shakespeare tours major theatre productions, education programs and outreach initiatives to every state and territory in Australia and beyond. Performing and teaching in theatres, schools, youth justice centres and regional and remote communities, the company enjoys unrivalled reach and impact, further extending its influence through innovative digital programs.

ABOUT TEACHERS HEALTH
Teachers Health Group (THG) is health insurance for teachers, the education community, the nursing and midwifery community and their families. The organisation encompasses Teachers Health, Nurses & Midwives Health, UniHealth, Teachers Union Health (TUH) and Union Health.

Created by teachers for teachers over 70 years ago, Teachers Health Group has grown to encompass Australia’s largest industry-based health fund and one of the nation’s leading not-for-profit health insurers. Teachers Health Group focuses on what matters most – supporting the health and wellbeing of our members. THG gives back to and invests in the education, nursing and midwifery communities through scholarships, sponsorships and health and wellbeing programs.

Media contact

For more information and interview requests please contact:

Konrad Ryzak
Marketing and Communications Manager, Bell Shakespeare
E: konradr@bellshakespeare.com.au
M: 0479 166 227

Midge McCall
Head of Corporate & Internal Communication, Teachers Health
E: midge.mccall@teachershealth.com.au
M: 0498 291 744