Our
Story
Hila Tells Stories is an interactive storytelling performance company for toddlers, pre-schools, and primary school children. Available all across the greater Melbourne area, and other areas of Victoria and Australia on request.
Our adaptations of multicultural classic children’s books to a range of interactive performances are designed to enrich children’s world of imagination with creativity and joy. Their interactive nature teaches young minds to think fast, develop confidence, and learn social skills through the magic of theatre.
Our performances strive to empower children, parents, and teachers alike to learn new emotional skills, work together and follow their own curiosity through exposure to play.
Founder, Hila Ben Gera is a children’s storyteller with over a decade of experience, a professionally trained Theatre -Maker, Actress, Director, and Playwright, Hila's compassionate approach to storytelling invites children to interact with the worlds of wonder she creates on stage.
Hila Tells Stories has a rich history of producing interactive shows that have successfully toured across Israel, proudly sponsored by the Israeli Ministry of Education and Culture. Since its inception in Melbourne in 2023, the company has established significant partnerships with esteemed organizations, including The Lamm Jewish Library, Habayit Organization, PJ Library NSW & ACT, all of whom would be pleased to provide references if needed.
These collaborations underscore our commitment to fostering enriching experiences and promoting cultural engagement within the Melbourne community. We are enthusiastic about expanding our activities with additional and new partners in the future, as we continue to grow and thrive.
Meet Hila Ben Gera
I am a dedicated children’s storyteller with over a decade of experience, as well as a professionally trained Theatre Maker, Actress, Director, and Playwright.
Originally from Jerusalem, Israel, I embarked on my theatrical journey by graduating from 'Yoram Levinstein's Performing Arts Institute' in Tel Aviv. I further honed my skills through training in Playwriting and Stage Directing at the renowned 'Herbert Berghof Studio' in NYC.
My creative endeavors have spanned continents, taking me from NYC, where I lived for almost 10 years, to Israel, and Australia. In New York City, I founded the Lama Theater Company, an Off-Broadway company known for its mission to develop innovative and thought-provoking work. We not only thrived in New York but also engaged in international projects in London, Israel, and Nicaragua.
Alongside my theatrical pursuits, I've dedicated time to enriching young minds as a children's teaching artist at cultural and community centers such as 'The 92nd Street Y.' I've also had the privilege of directing original plays at the esteemed 'Heschel School.'
My work as a playwright and director has seen successes such as 'The Places You’ll Go,' which premiered at Dixon Place NYC, and was later performed at the Adelaide Fringe Festival in 2017, where it won the Adelaide Fringe Weekly Award- Theatre Commendation. It's currently running at Tmuna Theatre, Tel Aviv, following its 2022 premiere. Additionally, 'Lonely People Are Always Up in the Middle of the Night' enjoyed a sold-out and successful run at La Mama Theatre, Melbourne, as part of La Mama’s Explorations in 2018.
In the same year, I returned to Israel, where I had the privilege of working with the Tel Aviv-Jaffa Municipality's young children's program. During this time, I wrote engaging content and crafted interactive shows designed specifically for kids, adding another enriching chapter to my creative journey.
In 2023, I relocated to Melbourne with my Aussie husband Timbo, and the best of us, our son – Noam.
Here, I founded 'Hila Tells Stories'— a Melbourne-based interactive theatre company for children. Our collaborations with esteemed partners like PJ Library NSW & ACT, Habayit, Lamm Jewish Library of Australia, and The MC Showroom Theatre have been incredibly rewarding. My mission in interactive shows is to ignite the creative spirit in children, encouraging them to harness their imaginations and discover joy through the magic of theatre, all while having an absolute blast.
Meet Ruby Rees
Ruby is a female-identifying multi-disciplinary artist based between Sydney &melbourne.
she undertook intensive acting, playwriting and directing training at the world-renowned herbert berghof studio in new york city.
She earned her professional writing and editing degree at rmit university, Melbourne.
Ruby was the youngest recipient of the National st martin’s playwriting award in 2010 for her first play serpents.
She completed a residency at the Manhattan repertory theatre company in 2016.
She was commissioned by the company to write and direct an original work for their 10th anniversary season. upon her return to Australia, Ruby directed a series of plays for independent Melbourne companies including Simon Stephens’ punk rock at renowned Melbourne theatre fortyfivedownstairs, which saw a sold-out season and rave reviews.
While at Nida, Ruby expanded her practice to include theatre-making, devising, and the adaptation of new works.
Ruby is currently directing all Hila Tells Stories performances.
