History
The Australian Theatre for Young People (ATYP) came to life after a series of meetings, beginning in 1963, at the behest of playwright, Eleanor Witcombe, with theatre artists, playwrights and educators, who decided to establish a company to produce professional, high-quality theatre for young people.
A committee was formally constituted in early 1964, with members, Alastair Duncan (Chairman), Diana Sharpe (Secretary), Nigel Lovell (Treasurer) and Ellis Irving, Owen Weingott and Wendy Blacklock. The name of the new company was the subject of many meetings, and a decision was made to use ATYP as an interim measure. The name remains the same after all these years, and still best reflects the ethos of the company.
The company’s very first production was a comedy: She Stoops to Conquer – Goldsmith Examined, by Irish playwright Oliver Goldsmith, adapted and directed by Owen Weingott. It opened on the 1st of August, 1964, touring schools in metropolitan Sydney, with a cast that included Owen Weingott, Barry Creyton and Reginald Livermore.
ATYP’s first major production, a commission, Hullabaloo Belay! The Whitby Adventure by Barbara Vernon, was about James Cook before his voyage to Australia. Directed by Nigel Lovell, it cost 1,500 Pounds Stirling to mount. Opening on the 26th of December, 1964 at the St James Playhouse, it then toured to Orange, Dubbo, Warren, Cobar, from 26 Feb, 1965.
ATYP’S formative years
Productions were performed by adults for young people. Their young audience would not be involved in the company until 1967, when a workshop programme was established for young participants between 10-15 years old, in response to demand.
The Artistic Directors of ATYP throughout the years:
2009 Fraser Corfield
2003 Timothy Jones
1999 David Berthold
1998 Antoinette Blaxland (Acting till appointment of new AD)
1996 Neill Gladwin
1996 Antoinette Blaxland
1995 Penelope Wells (Acting, while Antoinette Blaxland on maternity leave)
1992 Antoinette Blaxland
1991 Glen McGillivray
1988 Mark Gaal
1987 Rowan Greaves
1984 Colette Rayment
1984 Simon Hopkinson (Acting)
1981 Jane Westbrook
1976 John Wregg
1973 Raymond Omodei
1965 Alistair Duncan (Producer)
1964 Nigel Lovell (Producer)
Current location and forever-home:
Eora Country
Pier 2/3, Suite 2, 13A Hickson Road
Dawes Point NSW 2000
2020 Eighteen80 Hall, Surry Hills (Workshops venue with Administration still at William Street)
2018 Suite 302, 52-58 William Street, Woolloomooloo (Administration)
1996 ATYP Studio 1,2, Pier 4/5, The Wharf, Hickson Road, Walsh Bay
1993 Argyle Centre, Argyle Street, The Rocks
1991 (Police Station) 132 George Street, The Rocks
1987 200 Cumberland Street, 200 Cumberland Street, The Rocks
1985 (Old Sailors’ Home), The Rocks Theatre, 106 George Street, The Rocks
1984 Myrtle Street, 3rd Floor, 82 Myrtle Street, Chippendale
1982 Esme` Hackett (Sucks – sic) Memorial Hall, 88 William Henry Street, Ultimo, Feb, 1982 (agreement
with Toetruck Theatre)
1981 NSW Institute of Technology, Broadway
1980 NIDA studios, High St, Kensington, Jan (for Summertime Youth Theatre)
1980 Santa Sabina College, Strathfield
1980 Cell Block Theatre, Darlinghurst
1979, 1980 NIDA Studios, UNSW Campus, Kensington
1979 (Jane Westbrook’s office at UNSW, where she tutored drama.), UNSW Campus, Kensington
1979 Glebe, 7 Burton Street, Glebe
1975 NIDA Studios, UNSW Campus, Kensington
1975 3rd floor, 48 O’Riordan Street, Alexandria, 1975-76 (Old Tote rehearsal studios?)
1972 Bailey Hall, Chatswood, 1972 summer holidays
1969 NIDA Huts, UNSW Campus, Kensington
1969 Parade Theatre, Anzac Parade, Kensington, June, 1969- (supported by Robin Lovejoy, AD, The Old Tote Theatre Company)
1965 Lindfield (Diana Sharpe’s home)
National Trust, Annie Wyatt Room, Watson Rd, Observatory Hill
Randwick Literary Institute