Wakakirri

What Wakakirri does

Wakakirri is an Australian not-for-profit association, formally known as Wakakirri Story-Dance Association Inc. (WSDAI), founded in 1992 and headquartered in Alexandria (Sydney), Australia. The organization operates a national Story-Dance festival delivering performing arts programs to Australian primary and secondary schools, with a stated focus on student wellbeing, creativity, confidence building, and inclusion. Its core methodology centers on 3-7 minute "Story-Dance" performances that combine storytelling, movement, drama, music, and narrative, enabling students of all abilities to participate through on-stage or behind-the-scenes roles.

Name

Wakakirri

Legal name

Wakakirri Story-Dance Association Inc. (WSDAI)

Website

https://wakakirri.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1992

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

School Performing Arts Education

NAICS

Performing Arts Companies (7111), Fine Arts Schools (61161), Other Schools and Instruction (6116)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Performing Arts Programs (Band, Choir, Orchestra, Theater) (EDAJAJAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Community Theatre & Storytelling Festivals (MPAGAEAI), Arts & Culture Community Festivals (Multidisciplinary Arts Weeks) (MPAGAEAG), Educational & Youth Community Events (School/Youth Festivals) (MPAGAEAM)

Keywords

• School performing arts
• Story-dance education
• Student wellbeing programs
• School arts festival
• Dance education programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Alexandria

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Student Participation Fees: Schools pay per-student fees for Wakakirri Live participation. In 2026, participation costs $44 per student (incl GST), which includes pre-season workshops, certificates and digital copy of the school's performance.
2. Video Entry Fees: Schools participating via Wakakirri Video pay a flat entry fee of $220 (incl GST) per entry, which includes screening, certificates and feedback.
3. Ticket Sales: Parent and family tickets to watch student performances at theatres, with ticket prices starting at $37.
4. Artist in Residence Services: Paid facilitator services where Wakakirri-trained professionals visit schools to guide the Story-Dance creation process. AIR Beginner Program starts from $3,569; AIR Advanced Program starts from $4,235.
5. Merchandise Sales: Official Wakakirri merchandise including caps ($30), t-shirts ($45-$48), with proceeds supporting the program.
6. Donations and Grants: As a registered not-for-profit charity, Wakakirri receives public donations and grants to support the Inspiration Fund, which helps disadvantaged schools participate. 100% of donations go directly to supporting student participation.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Wakakirri operates Australia's largest school performing arts festival, enabling primary and secondary schools to participate in Story-Dance — 3-7 minute theatrical performances combining storytelling, movement, drama, music, and narrative. Schools can participate via Wakakirri Live (live performances in professional theatres) or Wakakirri Video (video submissions for remote schools), with optional paid Artist in Residence facilitator services supporting story creation from beginner to advanced levels.

Product overview

Wakakirri is a national not-for-profit story-Dance festival that offers a portfolio of programs enabling Australian schools to participate in performing arts education. The core offerings include Wakakirri Live (in-person theatrical performances in professional venues) and Wakakirri Video (remote participation via video submission). Schools can access the Free Story-Dance Kit for self-directed participation or engage the Artist in Residence (AIR) Program for hands-on facilitation, available in Beginner ($3,569) and Advanced ($4,235) tiers. Additional offerings include Official Merchandise and the Wakakirri Inspiration Fund (financial assistance), culminating in the Wakakirri National Festival Awards. Participation fees are $44 per student for Live events and $220 per entry for Video submissions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Wakakirri Live

Quantifiable outcome

• 10,000+ students participate annually in Wakakirri events
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Kids HelplineminorOthersKids Helpline is Australia's free, confidential 24/7 support service for children and young people. Wakakirri acknowledges this partnership as part of its commitment to student wellbeing and support services.
• Open ParachutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOpen Parachute supports schools through their evidence-based Social-Emotional Learning program, teaching practical mental health skills to students. Created by Clinical Psychologists and educators, the program aligns with Wakakirri's focus on student wellbeing through creative expression.
• Amplify (formerly FReeZA)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerAmplify is Victoria's refreshed version of the FReeZA program, designed to meet the dynamic needs of young people across the state. It supports organizations to collaborate with young people to create music, creative arts, and cultural events. Wakakirri events in Victoria align with this program.
• Winkipop MediaminorOthersOfficial event photographer for Wakakirri, capturing professional photographs of performances that schools can purchase through their platform.
• Stagefright Concert ProductionsminorOthersProvides official Wakakirri DVDs and video recordings from past events (2010-2023). Schools can access recent event recordings through their own channels.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Sydney Dance Company — Education & Outreach: One of Australia's largest dance companies running education programs, school workshops, and community performances. Comparable dance and storytelling curriculum focus to Wakakirri but at a broader scale.
• Sydney Theatre Company — Education: Major Australian theatre company with a substantial schools and learning program including performances, workshops and curriculum resources. Larger/incumbent player in the same school performing-arts space as Wakakirri.
• Melbourne Theatre Company — Education: Major Australian theatre company running MTC Education with schools productions, workshops, and learning resources. Overlaps with Wakakirri's school-based performing arts and storytelling programs, but as part of a broader portfolio.

Direct peers

• Music for Youth (UK): UK charity that runs national festivals, concert platforms, and school music performance opportunities. Comparable business model of school-participation performing arts events, regional showcases, and a charitable operating structure.
• Arts Unit (NSW Department of Education): NSW government-run provider of performing arts ensembles, showcases, and school performance opportunities including dance and drama events. Directly comparable live-school-performance model to Wakakirri's annual theatre festival.
• Raw Arts (Australia): Australian provider of creative arts workshops and performance programs in schools, including dance, drama and storytelling — overlapping directly with Wakakirri's school-facing performing arts delivery model.
• Australian Theatre for Young People (ATYP): Australia's flagship youth theatre company delivering theatre-making and performance programs to young people in schools and the community. Directly comparable to Wakakirri's mandate of school-based performing arts participation and wellbeing outcomes.
• Junior Theater Festival (USA): Leading international festival of student-produced musical theatre held annually in the US. Closest international equivalent of Wakakirri's model: school-based performing arts festival with adjudication and community showcase.
• Ausdance National: National peak body for dance in Australia, supporting dance education, school programs, and advocacy. Comparable as a stakeholder in school-based dance and storytelling curriculum, the same content domain as Wakakirri.
• Music: Count Us In / Music Australia: Australian school music participation organization running national music-making events across schools. Comparable annual school-participation festival format and education-outcome positioning to Wakakirri.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@Wakakirri_Official
• Facebookfacebook.com/wakakirriofficial
• Xx.com/wakakirri
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/wakakirri

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Wakakirri