Australian Theatre for Young People (ATYP)

Recently, ATYP hosted an exclusive preview performance of award-winning writer Vic Zerbst’s development of Converted!, a new comedy disco musical about queer young people navigating the complexities of identity, love and self-acceptance in a world that so often marginalises them. We’re thrilled to announce that we’re participating in GiveOUT Day 2024 to raise funding for the production of this excellent show! GiveOUT Australia is an annual day of giving to LGBTQIA+ not-for-profits and initiatives like ours. Join us in bringing Converted! to life — your support will contribute to the growth and diversity of Australia's cultural landscape by supporting new works and emerging talent. Click here to donate: https://lnkd.in/gkkRMWA4 

So wonderful to be working on the development of award-winning writer Vic Zerbst’s new comedy disco musical ‘Converted!’, a feel-good show all about queer teenagers who just want to fall in love, but face a system desperate to police, politicise and discuss their identities. With music and lyrics by Vic Zerbst and Oliver John Cameron, and directed by ATYP’s Associate Director, Hayden Tonazzi, our talented workshop cast and crew hosted an exclusive preview performance this afternoon. Hoping to produce this show in 2025 - stay tuned for an announcement on Converted!

Over the past few months, ATYP has experienced something of a transformation. After four months of long-service leave, our Artistic Director & CEO, Fraser Corfield, reflects on some of these changes, and acknowledges the things that remain constant, like the joy and passion that drive our work. He also gives an update on the many programs and offerings that keep us busy. Read the letter below for the full story.

A fabulous afternoon of 15-minute plays by our Fresh Ink Sydney writers wrapped up our series of national readings. Sharp, funny and moving plays by emerging writers Kate Bubalo, Aliyah Knight, Miranda Michalowski and Pratha Nagpal were rehearsed and read brilliantly by director Rachel Chant and actors Toby Blome and Vaishnavi Suryaprakash. Across Brisbane, Hobart, Perth and Sydney, a total of 16 writers had their short plays developed and showcased over the last month, brought to life by professional directors and actors in each city. We love working with all our partner companies to co-present the Fresh Ink program - Backbone, Archipelago Productions Pty Ltd and Black Swan State Theatre Company of WA. Huge thanks to the Jibb Foundation for their generous support of ATYP’s Fresh Ink program since 2019. 📸 Tyler V. Dias

ATYP is so happy to have co-presented the mid-year readings of our Fresh Ink writers in Perth with Black Swan State Theatre Company of WA last Thursday. The 15-minute plays of the talented writers - Sharni Andersson, Laura Goodlet, Clea Purkis and Makaela Rowe-Fox - were showcased at King Street Arts Centre on Whadjuk Nyoongar country, directed by Amelia Burke and performed by Jo Morris and Sophie Quinn. Congratulations to all! Thanks as always to mentor Chris Isaacs and the team at Black Swan for their passionate commitment to new writing in Perth. We are grateful to the Jibb Foundation for their generous support of ATYP’s Fresh Ink program since 2019.

Wonderful to gather at ATYP with organisations doing great work with young people. It was lovely to hear from Hon. Rose Jackson, the Minister for Youth, who referenced her connection to ATYP as alumni! Thrive International, in conjunction with Youth Action NSW and commissioned by the NSW Department of Communities and Justice, conducted a program review of key tenets of programs that successfully engage young people. It’s an honour for ATYP to have been part of the study as an example of best practice in working with young people. We’re among excellent company in this report, joined by: - Women's Shelter Armidale Inc - Regional Youth Support Services - Gosford - Julia Reserve - Camden - Saints Care Ltd. - Mountains Youth Services Team - Community Junction - St Marys - Humanity Matters Read the report here: https://lnkd.in/g3GktDV9 

ATYP is so proud of the 20 talented young writers from around Australia who we took to beautiful Bundanon for National Studio 2024. They were mentored through a range of formative sessions by three of the country's best playwrights - thanks Hannah Belanszky, Chris Isaacs and Lewis Treston! At the end of just four days together, they each created a short play for young performers. We thank the Jibb Foundation, the Packer Family Foundation, and Bundanon for their generous support of this incredible program which has seen more than 265 young playwrights at Bundanon since 2010.

Massive congratulations to our wonderful Fresh Ink Hobart writers Eilish Alexander, Paul Dellas, Andy James and Megan Kenna for their fabulous readings on Saturday at the Hedberg! The 15-minute plays by these emerging writers under 26 years of age were brought to life with warmth and humour by director Takani Clark and actors Tai Gardner and Nina Kadati. ATYP's Chair Andrew Johnson headed to Hobart to help celebrate the event. Thanks as always to Hobart mentor Belinda Bradley and Ben, Marta and the team at Archipelago Productions Pty Ltd for their unwavering support of new writing in Hobart. We warmly acknowledge the Jibb Foundation for their generous support of ATYP’s Fresh Ink program since 2019.

Huge congratulations to our Brisbane Fresh Ink writers on their mid year readings yesterday! Their short plays were brought to life by amazing actors and supported by mentor Lewis Treston, director ATYP’s George Kemp and Stephen and the team at Backbone.

Introducing our Cultivate 2024/2025 participants! Tyler Dias, Kobra Sayyadi, Madhullikaa Singh & Chloe Singleton will take part in our 12 month development program for emerging First Nations or PoC dramaturgs. These incredible theatre makers will have monthly session with mentors Jenevieve Chang and Jane FitzGerald, along with professional industry guests! This amazing program focuses on giving emerging artists the ability to further develop their skills but also establish vital industry connections. Find out more about our amazing participants here: https://lnkd.in/gWve3WzD