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A group of teenage performers in matching green-striped school sports uniforms stand and sit around a man in a camouflage shirt, acting in a scene on a dark theatre stage. One student sits next to him holding a script, while others watch intently. A small red bucket sits on the floor in front of them.
A group of teenage performers in matching green-striped school sports uniforms stand and sit around a man in a camouflage shirt, acting in a scene on a dark theatre stage. One student sits next to him holding a script, while others watch intently. A small red bucket sits on the floor in front of them.

Our National Learning Program

Our National Learning Program

Intersection Festival

Intersection Festival

Where performance, writing and learning meet

Intersection Festival gives school students and teachers the opportunity to rehearse and perform brand-new Australian plays, written specifically for young actors through ATYP’s National Studio program.

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Performances in NSW, SA & WA

August

Intersection Festival

A national performance festival of new Australian stories for schools

Each year, ten short plays are written by emerging playwrights as part of our National Studio residency.

Intersection Festival brings those new Australian stories to life. Designed for students aged 14–17 and their teachers, this program offers skills development in acting, script analysis and stagecraft, alongside professional development for educators in directing youth performance.

In 2026, Intersection Festival officially becomes national, presented in NSW, South Australia and Western Australia, thanks to partnerships with Carclew and WAYTCo. Be among the first schools to perform these new plays before they are published by Currency Press and sent to schools around the country!

How It Works

  1. Scripts are sent to teachers and teachers select at least two plays to rehearse with students.

  2. Students rehearse and present their own interpretation of the scripts at school.

  3. Teachers film and upload the performances.

  4. ATYP selects one group per school to perform live at the festival showcase in NSW, SA or WA.

Subsidy Places

For Intersection Festival 2026, we have added more for teachers and students to the program, which in turn, has raised the price of entry. If you are from a Low SES school and the price will prohibit your inclusion, please do mention this in the registration form.

Note: Places are limited for this program. Although registration is open until 13 March, it may be closed earlier if all places are filled before that time.

Important Dates

Applications Close: Fri 13 Mar Scripts Arrive: Mon 16 Mar Videos Due: Fri 25 Jun SA Festival: 4 Aug NSW Festival: 11–13 Aug WA Festival: 19 Aug

Location(s)

The Rebel Theatre, NSW
The Parks Theatre, SA
Belmont City College, WA

Eligibility

Schools groups across Australia with students aged 14–17 (Years 9–12)

Inclusions

  • 10 brand-new short plays written for young people, plus 5 published copies for your school.

  • Teacher resources, including a complete guide to reading and analysing a script.

  • Showcase opportunity: one group per school will perform, with a rehearsal led by a professional director on the day.

  • Meet the playwright: groups may connect with the writer of their play via Zoom.

  • Teacher professional learning: a 30-minute one-on-one session is available with an ATYP artist for program support.

Program Cost

$700

A young performer sits on a wooden bench onstage, mid-monologue, while another performer beside them chops ingredients at a kitchen bench. The scene is theatrical, with dramatic purple lighting and a pot on the table suggesting a cooking setting.
Two young actors wearing school blazers sit on a bench mid-scene. One sits stiffly with a neutral expression, while the other speaks animatedly, suggesting a contrasting character dynamic during a school-based performance.
A facilitator or director stands in the centre of a theatre space with seating behind them, speaking to a small group of young people seated off-camera. They hold a script and gesture with their hands, appearing to lead a rehearsal or workshop.
A young person stands alone onstage reading from a small booklet under moody blue lighting. Behind them, a large projection reads “INTERSECTION FESTIVAL 2025,” indicating a performance or presentation at the festival.
A seated young performer is wrapped with colourful fabric as two other performers lean in, gently arranging the materials around her. All three appear engaged in a tense or dramatic moment on stage, under cool blue lighting and a dark, abstract backdrop.
Two young actors wearing school blazers sit on a bench mid-scene. One sits stiffly with a neutral expression, while the other speaks animatedly, suggesting a contrasting character dynamic during a school-based performance.
A young performer sits on a wooden bench onstage, mid-monologue, while another performer beside them chops ingredients at a kitchen bench. The scene is theatrical, with dramatic purple lighting and a pot on the table suggesting a cooking setting.
A facilitator or director stands in the centre of a theatre space with seating behind them, speaking to a small group of young people seated off-camera. They hold a script and gesture with their hands, appearing to lead a rehearsal or workshop.
A young person stands alone onstage reading from a small booklet under moody blue lighting. Behind them, a large projection reads “INTERSECTION FESTIVAL 2025,” indicating a performance or presentation at the festival.
A seated young performer is wrapped with colourful fabric as two other performers lean in, gently arranging the materials around her. All three appear engaged in a tense or dramatic moment on stage, under cool blue lighting and a dark, abstract backdrop.
A young performer sits on a wooden bench onstage, mid-monologue, while another performer beside them chops ingredients at a kitchen bench. The scene is theatrical, with dramatic purple lighting and a pot on the table suggesting a cooking setting.
Two young actors wearing school blazers sit on a bench mid-scene. One sits stiffly with a neutral expression, while the other speaks animatedly, suggesting a contrasting character dynamic during a school-based performance.
A facilitator or director stands in the centre of a theatre space with seating behind them, speaking to a small group of young people seated off-camera. They hold a script and gesture with their hands, appearing to lead a rehearsal or workshop.
A young person stands alone onstage reading from a small booklet under moody blue lighting. Behind them, a large projection reads “INTERSECTION FESTIVAL 2025,” indicating a performance or presentation at the festival.
A seated young performer is wrapped with colourful fabric as two other performers lean in, gently arranging the materials around her. All three appear engaged in a tense or dramatic moment on stage, under cool blue lighting and a dark, abstract backdrop.

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Theexcitementandaccomplishmentthestudentsfeltattheendofthiswaspalpable.
Studentscouldfind,developandusetheircreativevoicesasactors,designers&directors.
Ilovedwatchingstudentsworkwithscriptsdifferenttotheonesweusuallyuseinclass.

St Mary's Cathedral College

Cape Byron Rudolf Steiner School

OLMC Parramatta

Theexcitementandaccomplishmentthestudentsfeltattheendofthiswaspalpable.
Studentscouldfind,developandusetheircreativevoicesasactors,designers&directors.
Ilovedwatchingstudentsworkwithscriptsdifferenttotheonesweusuallyuseinclass.

St Mary's Cathedral College

Cape Byron Rudolf Steiner School

OLMC Parramatta

Theexcitementandaccomplishmentthestudentsfeltattheendofthiswaspalpable.
Studentscouldfind,developandusetheircreativevoicesasactors,designers&directors.
Ilovedwatchingstudentsworkwithscriptsdifferenttotheonesweusuallyuseinclass.

St Mary's Cathedral College

Cape Byron Rudolf Steiner School

OLMC Parramatta

Theexcitementandaccomplishmentthestudentsfeltattheendofthiswaspalpable.
Studentscouldfind,developandusetheircreativevoicesasactors,designers&directors.
Ilovedwatchingstudentsworkwithscriptsdifferenttotheonesweusuallyuseinclass.

St Mary's Cathedral College

Cape Byron Rudolf Steiner School

OLMC Parramatta

Why take part in this program

A learning opportunity that supports students & teachers

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Grow young performers

Students build confidence in acting, character development and ensemble work while creating original interpretations of new Australian scripts.

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Meet curriculum outcomes

Intersection Festival supports Stage 5 and Stage 6 Drama outcomes through script analysis, playbuilding, improvisation, production elements and contemporary Australian theatre practice.

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Perform on a professional stage

Selected groups perform their work on a fully equipped mainstage, rehearsing with a professional director and gaining insight into the real processes of live theatre production.

Acknowledgements

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A special thanks to our Program Partners who make delivering this national program possible: WAYTCo, Carclew Youth Arts & Currency Press.

A special thanks to our Program Partners who make delivering this national program possible: WAYTCo, Carclew Youth Arts & Currency Press.

Got a question?

Get in touch with our team below

George Kemp

Producer, Artist Development & New Writing

george@atyp.com.au

(02) 9270 2400

George Kemp

Producer, Artist Development & New Writing

george@atyp.com.au

(02) 9270 2400

Pier 2/3, Suite 2/13A Hickson Rd

Dawes Point, NSW 2000

(02) 9270 2400

hello@atyp.com.au

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ATYP acknowledges Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islanders are Australia's First Peoples and we acknowledge the Gadigal People, the traditional owners of the land on which we work. They are the original storytellers of our nation and we pay our respect to Elders past & present.