SPOTLIGHT O N E D U C AT I O N A N D YO U T H
T H A N K YO U F O R S H A R I N G O U R V I S I O N
Access to high quality arts education can have a life changing impact on young people. That’s why Education and Youth programs have been an integral part of Queensland Theatre since it was founded in 1970. We feel privileged to have worked with so many bright and talented young people over these years. We have a vital role to play in supporting drama education and providing programs that develop the next generation of theatre-makers. Facing the challenges of 2020 and 2021, our dedicated Education and Youth team has concentrated on maintaining and consolidating our wide range of programs, especially in regional Queensland. We want to share with you their extraordinary success stories which include sincere and heartfelt feedback from participants, their parents and teachers. As we approach 2022, we are excited to be planning an expansion of our offering to meet rapidly growing demand.
We have an ambitious plan to scale-up The Scene Project to reach more students, more schools and more locations, especially in regional and remote areas; provide Young Artists’ Ensembles outside Brisbane (with scholarships to improve access); continue the Teaching Artists’ two-year training program; and create a Young Writers’ Group for aspiring playwrights. We could not contemplate our level of investment in Education and Youth Programs without the generous support of our donors, including the Tim Fairfax Family Foundation, which has allowed us to implement our far-reaching Regional Theatre Enrichment Strategy. We look forward to meeting with you in the new year to provide you with more detail on the expansion of these programs planned for the next few years. We thank you again for sharing our vision. Together we are building a strong future for the arts in Queensland.
Lee Lewis Artistic Director
Amanda Jolly Executive Director
ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF COUNTRY Queensland Theatre acknowledges the Jagera and Turrbal people who are the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we work, and their unique relationship with the lands, seas and waterways. We pay our respects to their Elders both past and present, and to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Cover and this page, Pictured: Metamorphoses cast. Photographer: Stephen Henry
2
E D U C AT I O N A N D YO U T H S N A P S H O T 2 0 2 1
16,510 CONTACT HOURS FACILITATED WITH YOUNG PEOPLE
4850 YOUNG PEOPLE ENGAGED
103
92
119
64
EDUCATION RESOURCES DISTRIBUTED
PARTICIPANTS IN YOUNG ARTISTS’ ENSEMBLES
ARTISTS IN RESIDENCE WORKSHOPS
754
REGIONAL STUDENTS PARTICIPATED IN A PROGRAM
3114
1091
STUDENT TICKETS
PARTICIPANTS IN THE SCENE PROJECT OUTCOME DAYS
521
THE SCENE PROJECT IN
16
LOCATIONS
128
THEATRE RESIDENCY WEEK PARTICIPANTS
TEACHERS PARTICIPATED IN PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
43
14
REGIONAL
REGIONAL
89 SCHOOLS
44 REGIONAL
REGIONAL
3
YO U M A D E T H I S H A P P E N
Each year, we are excited to nurture a new cohort of bright and brave, enthusiastic and creative young people. It is a privilege to work with them, guide and mentor them, watch them learn and create, while bringing out the best in each other. We have you to thank for the continued success of our Education and Youth programs – in the number of young people who attend our plays; the overwhelming applications for sought-after spots in our Young Artists’ Ensembles; the number of entries for the Young Playwrights’ Award; and the uptake of our regional programs. Without your ongoing support these amazing programs and the outstanding achievements of young artists could not be realised.
Just a few of your stories … One of the brilliant beacons in our range of programs for young people is the incredible growth and continued success of The Scene
Project. From the pilot in 2014 centred around eight schools and 176 students in Brisbane, to 2021, where our artists engaged with 89 schools and over 1100 students across 16 metropolitan and regional locations across Queensland. The Scene Project would not be possible without the generous support of the Tim Fairfax Family Foundation, supporting our Regional Theatre Enrichment Strategy (RTES). The RTES embraces initiatives in regional Queensland: The Scene Project, Theatre Residency Week North Queensland (TRW NQ) and the Teaching Artist Program. The Scene Project’s script commission and creative development was made possible through the generous support of the Keith & Jeannette Ince Fund, a sub-fund of the Australian Communities Foundation.
Our vision for the much-loved Diane Cilento Studio, sister studio to our Bille Brown Theatre, was realised in 2020 through the generosity of The Jelley Family Foundation and a circle of generous donors. Refurbished to be the home of our Education and Youth programs and an additional performance venue, it is now a fully fitted out studio with new rigging, lighting system, control desk and new seating for up to 100 patrons. Exceptionally generous support from two key donors including The Jelley Family Foundation, enabled us to maximise learnings brought about by the challenges of 2020, and build a dedicated space to create materials to be shared and distributed digitally. Our Recording Studio is a space where young people have access to digital resources and can develop their skills in content creation. In addition, the studio has been utilised for interviews and video filming, our Quality Time podcast recordings, voice recordings, recording snippets for this year’s productions and photoshoots. Thank you once again. Your support is ensuring our young people continue to shine and have a platform to tell their stories.
Clockwise from top right, Pictured: 2022 Season brochure shoot in the Recording Studio. Photographer: Cinnamon Smith. Pictured: Metamorphoses Cast. Photographer: Stephen Henry.
4
O U R F I N E S T C O L L A B O R AT I O N
16
QUEENSLAND LOCATIONS
1091 STUDENTS
89
SECONDARY SCHOOLS
9
COOKTOWN REGION
VENUES STATEWIDE
CAIRNS REGION
TOWNSVILLE CHARTERS TOWERS
The Scene Project is our flagship Education Program involving students and teachers in the creative process of performances, from rehearsal through to production. It is unique in acknowledging students and teachers as artists and encourages live performance in a professional space and manner. The Scene Project is also about collaboration, professional development of teachers and students and enhancing existing curriculum in schools. It gives participants the opportunity to access a newly commissioned script and create their own 15-minute performance of the play. From its 2014 pilot in Brisbane with participation from 8 schools, The Scene Project in 2021 saw a record seven weeks of touring to 89 schools across 16 metropolitan and regional locations. Drama students and teachers participating in the program accessed a new play, We Are the Mutable, commissioned by Queensland Theatre and written by Australian playwright Matthew Whittet.
AYR HOME HILL MACKAY SARINA
YEPPOON EMERALD REGION
ROCKHAMPTON
GLADSTONE
BUNDABERG MARYBOROUGH
2021 locations 2022 and beyond As part of our Regional Theatre Enrichment Strategy (RTES), supported by the Tim Fairfax Family Foundation, The Scene Project 2021 included 14 locations in regional Queensland.
CHARLEVILLE REGION CHINCHILLA
GYMPIE
DALBY TOOWOOMBA
SUNSHINE COAST BRISBANE REDLANDS GOLD COAST
5
A B O U T W E A R E T H E M U TA B L E
Every year a new script is commissioned for The Scene Project, ensuring an appropriate work for students, while also providing a funded project for an Australian playwright. Our heartfelt thanks to the Keith & Jeannette Ince Fund, for supporting the 2021 commission of Matthew Whittet’s We Are The Mutable, through the Australian Communities Foundation. SYNOPSIS This is a story about a small town where all the teenagers wake up one day and have changed, transformed or mutated. Who were these people — before, during and after? Throughout the course of the play, as each student transforms or mutates, secrets are exposed, insecurities are highlighted and each character learns a bit more about themselves, each other and who they are in this world. This is a story about how we deal with change, being vulnerable and what happens when you are faced with your fears. At its core is the question — how do we find empathy?
ABOUT MATTHEW WHITTET Matthew is an actor, writer and dramaturg who has worked extensively in theatre, film and television. Matt has performed across Australia and abroad with directors such as Benedict Andrews, Neil Armfield, Lucy Guerin, Barrie Kosky, and Rosemary Myers. In 2020, No Need to Hide a Light When it Shines Like Hers was the Inaugural Online Voters’ Prize winner for Griffin’s Lysicrates Prize.
QUEENSLAND THEATRE CAST AND CREATIVES Rachel Nutchey – Jesse Jeanda St James – Quinn Declan Coyle – Charlie Daphne Chen – Frankie Declan Coyle – Teacher (Mr Lemon) Lee Lewis – Principal’s voice (pre-record) All cast – Parents
Travis Dowling – Director Amber Grossmann – Directorial Observation Tony Brumpton – Sound Designer Lucy Kelland – Stage Manager
Clockwise from top, Pictured: Matthew Whittet at the creative development for We are the Mutable. Photographer: Cinnamon Smith. Pictured: We are the Mutable cast members Declan Coyle, Jeanda St James, Rachel Nutchey and Daphne Chen. Photographer: Cinnamon Smith.
6
“I’ve always had a passion for the arts, particularly acting, but only recently have I decided to pursue a career in acting for stage and screen. This was mainly influenced by the achievement of some of my aspirations, but it was also heavily influenced by my drama teacher and participating in The Scene Project.” – Year 12 Toogoolawah Student
“I loved performing in front of such a supportive and giving audience. It was way more natural and more fun to bounce off the audience and use their energy than in class without an audience.” – Year 10 Chinchilla Student
“I love this project and QT has always done their best to make it affordable and beneficial. The students become better theatre makers from this project - particularly when it comes to ensemble work. It actually works really well in preparing them for senior.” – Toowoomba Teacher
Community Performance Supported by the Tim Fairfax Family Foundation, we were able to present the Queensland Theatre production of We Are The Mutable to the community in Mackay at the Central Queensland University (CQU) Theatre on Thursday 30 July. 53 audience members were in attendance. This was an inaugural event for Mackay, with one school group and one CQU group participating.
Pictured: We are the Mutable cast members Jeanda St James, Declan Coyle and Rachel Nutchey. Photographer: Cinnamon Smith.
7
A UNIQUE RESIDENCY
Theatre Residency Week (TRW) is the longest running theatre program of its kind with a legacy that can be felt across the Australian theatre industry.
For over 50 years, Theatre Residency Week has connected ambitious young artists from across the state. Eighty-five students from Years 9 to 12 converged at Stuartholme School in September this year, dedicating their holidays to honing their theatremaking and performance skills. Theatre Residency Week balances in-depth skills building with the excitement of theatre, offering multiple workshops and industry learning forums. Students can connect with Queensland’s leading actors, writers, directors and devisors. They also form life-long friendships. Theatre Residency Week culminates in the TRW Showcase where family and friends share in the celebration and see their loved ones perform at the end of a week of new experiences and learnings. This year, 287 students,
family and friends attended the TRW Showcase at Stuartholme’s Joigny Performing Arts Centre. We were thrilled to offer our very first in-residence (sleep-away) camp in Townsville this year, despite the disruption of a snap lockdown. Following on from two successful pilots, together with our partners TheatreiNQ and Kirwan State High School, Theatre Residency Week NQ was able to operate for the first time as it was originally intended. Held from Tuesday 6 July to Saturday 10 July in Townsville, 43 regional students resided at The Cathedral School of St Anne and St James and spent their holidays perfecting their drama skills with industry professionals. Like TRW in Brisbane, the camp concluded with a group showing of performance work completed in the workshops.
Clockwise from top, Pictured: Brisbane Theatre Residency Week Showcase. Photographer: Lucy Kelland. Pictured: Theatre Residency Week NQ participants in workshops. Photographer: Alana Dunn.
8
“Theatre Residency Week NQ was a highly engaging and enjoyable experience. I learnt a lot from not only the core group and afternoon workshop leaders but from fellow actors. It was a positive environment where I could push myself out of my comfort zone and try new things - take risks. I have been recommending TRW NQ to my friends.” – Participant, Theatre Residency Week (NQ) “I thought it was AMAZING. Oh to go back there again. Can’t wait till next year if I get that opportunity again. Met so many friends, some new family members to me. Such encouraging and amazing and talented people. Family and friends loved hearing my stories.” – Participant, Theatre Residency Week (Brisbane) “It was a very fun, great opportunity and experience where I got to step out of my comfort zone, explore more drama and theatre and meet new people.” – Participant, Theatre Residency Week (Brisbane)
Pictured: Brisbane Theatre Residency Week Showcase. Photographer: Lucy Kelland.
9
EXTRAORDINARY ENSEMBLES
Our Young Artists’ Ensembles lead the industry as the largest year-long actors’ training program run by a state theatre company. For over 10 years, we’ve been committed to the ongoing training and development of the next generation of theatre-makers. Structured to equip participants with a comprehensive performance toolkit built across weekly workshops, the program has provided students with the unique opportunity to be trained by leading professional artists like Jason Klarwein, David Morton and Nicholas Paine (Dead Puppet Society), Ellen Bailey, Veronica Neave, Thomas Larkin and Ngoc Phan. Two Young Artists’ Ensembles (Years 8 & 9 and Year 10) focussed on the foundational skills of acting, including voice, movement, script analysis, approaches to character and working as an ensemble. The Young Artists’ Ensemble for Year 11 was made up of 23 students undertaking a year-long-acting program with a full production outcome of a new work, Witches Can’t Be Burned by Silva Semerciyan. Director Zoe Tuffin and Assistant Director Flynn Hall.
92
YOUNG ARTISTS
169
STUDENT AUDITIONS
111 WORKSHOPS
The Young Artists’ Ensemble for Year 12 included 16 young, aspiring artists undertaking an elite level program focussed on the rehearsal process and a professional production outcome Metamophoses by Mary Zimmerman. This production was co-produced with Dead Puppet Society. Directed by Helen Stephens.
Pictured: Witches Can’t Be Burned cast. Photographer: Cinnamon Smith.
10
“I am writing to congratulate you and the team at Queensland Theatre for the amazing performance by the Grade 11 Young Artist Ensemble. I was deeply touched by the performance. The Ensemble were excellent, holding the tension of the play all the way through to the end. I felt very grateful for being in the audience. Such a powerful play and I was very pleased we had three young women with us to see the performance.” – Parent, Young Artist Ensemble
“I wanted to say how fantastic I thought the Young Artists’ Ensemble was on Saturday. Such beautiful work by the ensemble and I thought the direction was great. A great choice for them. Thank you for inviting me. It was exciting to see such lovely talent.” – University Lecturer
Pictured: Witches Can’t Be Burned cast. Photographer: Cinnamon Smith.
11
C E L E B R AT I N G YO U N G P L AY W R I G H T S
Our Young Playwrights’ Award is one of Australia’s longest running annual playwriting competitions for young writers. The Award calls for emerging playwrights in Years 9 to 12 to submit an original play script of any length or genre, which is assessed by a panel of industry professionals. Out of the 24 entries received in 2021, a deeply moving, comingof-age story won this year’s Young Playwrights’ Award. Sandra Miller’s Paradise Dreaming received the top prize in one of the strongest pools of entries seen in the almost 20-year history of the award. Sandra, a Year 12 student from The Glennie School in Toowoomba said: “Paradise Dreaming is about my family. It tries to capture our first moments in Australia and is special to me because I’m painting a picture we all remember differently. I use
a broad brush to encapsulate the cocktail of emotions that filled us all — as well as navigating the guilt I feel whenever I miss Africa.”
WINNER
Sandra received an all-expenses paid trip to Theatre Residency Week at Queensland Theatre during the September school holidays, including dramaturgy sessions with Steve Pirie (Associate Artist and playwright of Return to the Dirt) and will work with our Associate Artist Isaac Drandic for further support for the public reading.
SHORTLIST
Paradise Dreaming – Sandra Miller The Glennie School, Toowoomba
Greek Mythology for Millennials – Gabriel Donaldson Toowoomba Grammar School Neverland – Brydie-Rose Peters Ferny Grove State High School Keeping it Together – Suki Wallace Queensland Academies Creative Industries, Kelvin Grove My Name is Tommy – Grace Wilson Australian Christian College, Caboolture
Pictured: Artistic Director Lee Lewis and 2021 YPA Winner Sandra Miller. Photographer: Cinnamon Smith.
12
F O S T E R I N G F U T U R E T H E AT R E - M A K E R S
OUR PATHWAYS FOR STUDENTS In 2021, we were delighted to provide 16 work experience opportunities for high school students. Our Student Pathways Program gives senior high school students the chance to engage with different Queensland Theatre departments and teams and showcases the different career pathways the arts in general can offer. Students are able to develop a detailed and authentic understanding of the responsibilities of these various roles and also have the opportunity to apply their learnings through a series of hands-on, practical tasks. We welcomed students from Brisbane, Cairns, Toowoomba, Gladstone, Sunshine Coast, Rockhampton, Bundaberg and Townsville. Our university intern program gave nine students the opportunity to intern on various projects throughout the year. Interns typically complete 100 hours of placement under the supervision of a specific department in the Company.
SUPPORT FOR SCHOLARSHIPS Special thanks to the individuals and philanthropic funds who supported student scholarships for Theatre Residency Week (TRW) in Brisbane and NQ, and the Young Artists’ Ensemble Program. Theatre Residency Week is a major event in Queensland’s drama education calendar. Students travel from far and wide to participate and, in some cases, communities fundraise to support their students’ attendance. Scholarships ensure that TRW is accessible to students from all walks of life. In 2021, a number of students received full or partial financial support for scholarships through Queensland Theatre and several donors.
“It was incredible hands-on experience in such a progressive workplace that we often wouldn’t get exposed to and it really just emphasised the love of the arts that I, and the people around me have.” – Student Pathways participant, 2021
Clockwise from top left, Pictured: Toni Glynn, Director Technical and Production, showing students around Queensland Theatre’s workshop. Photographer: Cinnamon Smith. Pictured: Work experience students walking on the Bille Brown Theatre’s tension net. Photographer: Cinnamon Smith.
13
WORKING WITH THE SMITH FAMILY The Smith Family approached us as one of several arts organisations to design and deliver their SmArts program for disadvantaged students in our communities who demonstrate an interest in the creative arts. The SmArts Art Enrichment program supports students’ engagement with school by increasing their creative skills, self-confidence, social networks and knowledge of postschool options. Students in Years 9 to 11 with demonstrated interest in and/or talent for the creative arts are provided with opportunities to participate in evidence-based enrichment programs. Students participated in workshops, backstage tours and industry Q&As, culminating in a small showing in the Bille Brown Theatre for family and friends. These programs have been shown to boost not only students’ creativity and skills but also their confidence and engagement in learning. We are excited to be exploring appropriate ways to continue and expand our engagement in this area, taking our programs to young people who may not otherwise have the opportunities to share in these valuable experiences.
Pictured: Steve Pirie, Queensland Theatre Associate Artist, with students. Photographer: Shan Jacobe.
11
STUDENTS PARTICIPATED IN THIS INAUGURAL PROGRAM
14
SHARING OUR EXPERTISE
30
ARTISTS IN RESIDENCE Our Artists in Residence (AiR) Program connects professional theatre artists to high school drama classrooms, located up to two hours outside of metropolitan Brisbane. We engaged with regional schools via AiR workshops in connection to the Taming of the Shrew and Othello productions. As part of The Scene Project, artists are engaged to facilitate workshops in schools across Queensland. Designed to respond to teachers’ requests, the AiR Program sees the Company engage professional artists to deliver practical drama skill-based workshops across a variety of forms, genres and specialties. Course lengths vary from a few hours to multiple sessions over several weeks, with content tailored to curriculum and students’ needs.
ARTISTS WERE INVOLVED IN DELIVERING THE AiR WORKSHOPS AND TOURING PERFORMANCES
119
WORKSHOPS DELIVERED ACROSS QUEENSLAND
103
EDUCATION RESOURCES DISTRIBUTED
OTHELLO IN CAIRNS We were thrilled to wrap up our 2021 student offerings than with an exclusive preview performance of Shakespeare’s Othello in Cairns, as part of the Cairns Indigenous Art Fair (CIAF). This tri-lingual (Kala Lagaw Ya, Yumpla Tok and English) production is set between Cairns and the Torres Strait, illuminating the vital role of the Torres Strait Light Infantry Battalion during World War II. This was a special opportunity for 68 students and teachers to attend one of the season’s five performances from 11-13 November. We were also able to provide three schools and 40 students who attended the performance an in-school workshop and transport support.
Clockwise from top right, Pictured: Teaching Artist Sarah Ogden with students. Photographer: Cinnamon Smith. Image credit: Torres Strait Light Infantry Battalion, 119169, courtesy Australian War Memorial.
15
D E V E LO P I N G P R O F E S S I O N S
TEACHING ARTIST PROGRAM The Teaching Artist Program (TAP) provides professional development for artists who are interested in developing or building their teaching skills. This two-year program consists of a series of on-site and online intensives, mentoring and opportunities to shadow more experienced teaching artists. It also includes practical learning placements in Queensland Theatre’s Education and Youth Programs.
The first full year of the TAP in 2020 trained seven emerging Teaching Artists. Five of the seven TAP artists from 2020 were employed by the Company in 2021. This two-year program has successfully provided training for teaching artists based in Cairns and Towoomba. We intend to continue this program into the future.
“I loved it, and was utterly exhausted by it. I didn’t really know what to expect going in, but it felt like a wonderful mix between affirming my existing practice, and also giving me so so many opportunities to learn and grow and profit from those around me.” – Teaching Artist
THE SCENE PROJECT The Scene Project continues to provide teachers professional development workshops for all participating schools, both in Brisbane and across regional Queensland. In 2021, our Education and Youth staff engaged with teachers from Townsville to Toogoolawah to advance teachers’ capabilities and prepare for the upcoming S cene Project experience.
These workshops support teachers, particularly in the regions, w ith the training required to deliver the program. The positive impact of this flows on to students who are encouraged and nurtured to become our next generation of young theatre-makers. Special thanks to the Tim Fairfax Family Foundation for their generous support of these key development programs.
“I see The Scene Project as PD for teachers as much as a wonderful learning experience for students. The benefit of and insight it provides on the professional creative process is immeasurable - especially in Regional centres. It allows access to high quality opportunities, workshops and performances we would otherwise not experience.” – Mackay Teacher
Pictured: TBC Steve Pirie, Queensland Theatre Associate Artist, with Brisbane Scene Project participants. Photographer: Shan Jacobe.
16
QUEENSLAND THEATRE 78 Montague Road, South Brisbane PO Box 3310, South Brisbane Queensland 4101 Australia
FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT Zoe Connolly Director of Development Tel: 07 3010 7602 zconnolly@queenslandtheatre.com.au
December 2021 — All information in this publication is correct at time of printing and is subject to change.