Touring Nationally
Touring Nationally
Touring Nationally
Touring Nationally
Saplings
Saplings
by
Hannah Belanszky
Platforming
Hannah Belanszky, Maliyan Blair & Nyasha Ogden
Directed by
Abbie-lee Lewis
A collection of hilarious and heartbreaking stories born from workshops with young people experiencing the youth justice system.
c
Sydney & Nationally
Opens 13 May
Saplings
“I wasn’t there ‘cause I wanted to be, I was there ‘cause I had to be, okay? If Josh hadn’t eaten my noodles, I wouldn’t be here.”
Would you risk breaking bail for a packet of Mi Goreng? Would you snitch on a mate to save your own skin? Around here, ordinary days can turn on you so fast you’ve still got a smile on your face as your hopes die in your hands.
After premiering at The Rebel Theatre for the Sydney Festival in 2024 and winning Sydney Theatre Awards’ Best Production for Young People, Yuwaalaray playwright Hannah Belanszky and Kalkadoon director Abbie-lee Lewis bring Saplings to the stage once again. Four talented young actors take on multiple roles in this collection of hilarious and heartbreaking stories born from workshops with young people experiencing the youth justice system, from Marrickville to Moree.
Yani wants to go to the Easter Show, Kai wants a sense of home, Shanika wants her Mum back, and Lachlan… well, he just wants his bowl of noodles. But when the justice system is all that stands between these young people and what they want, it raises an important question: how do young people grow when the system keeps cutting them down? This poetic, personal and unexpected production will leave you asking who’s really to blame.
2026 Dates
Wed 13 May – Sun 17 May Thu 9 Jul – Tue 1 Sep
Venue(s)
Sydney Opera House
+ 10 National Tour Locations
Pricing
Ticket prices vary by venue.
Please purchase your tickets directly through the website of your selected theatre.
Duration
Approx 80 mins (no interval)
Age & Content Warnings
Suitable for ages 14+.
Coarse language (swearing), haze, loud noises, and references to First Nations peoples who are deceased.
Detailed ticketing info below
More ticketing info below
Presented by the Australian Theatre for Young People (ATYP) in partnership with the Sydney Opera House, Arts Centre Melbourne and Queensland Performing Arts Centre
c
Hear from the artists
Hannah Belanszky, Maliyan Blair & Nyasha Ogden
Hear from the artists
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Ticketing Information
Performance dates, times & pricing
★
Saplings is touring nationally and is set to be performed at 11 different venues around Australia. To book a ticket, please visit the website of your chosen theatre.
Ticket Prices
Ticket prices vary between venues – follow the venue links to book tickets.
Note: tickets at venues marked * are not yet on sale.
Ticket Prices
Ticket prices vary between venues – follow the venue links to book tickets.
Note: tickets at venues marked * are not yet on sale.
Accessibility Information
Wheelchair accessible venue(s)
Hearing assistance available
Closed captioning available
Auslan-signed performance(s)
Accessibility Info
Wheelchair accessible venue(s)
Hearing assistance available
Closed captioning available
Auslan-signed performance(s)
Accessibility Information
Wheelchair accessible venue(s)
Hearing assistance available
Closed captioning available
Auslan-signed performance(s)
Dates | Venue |
|---|---|
Wed 13 May | |
Thu 9 July | Ipswich Civic Centre* |
Mon 13 July until Sat 18 July | |
Thu 23 Jul | |
Tue 28 Jul | |
Wed 5 Aug | Darwin* |
Thu 13 Aug | |
Thu 20 Aug | |
Sat 22 Aug | |
Tue 25 Aug | |
Fri 28 Aug | |
Tue 1 Sep |
Acknowledgements
Special thanks to our Partners and Supporters who made this production possible. This project has been assisted by the Australian Government through Creative Australia, its principal arts investment and advisory body.
Special thanks to our Partners and Supporters who made this production possible. This project has been assisted by the Australian Government through Creative Australia, its principal arts investment and advisory body.
Cast & Creatives
Discover the artists behind this production
Hannah Belanszky
Writer
Writer
Hannah Belanszky
(
she/her
)
is a writer, actor and Yuwaalaraay woman based in Sydney. She is the recipient of the 2025 Belnaves Fellowship with the Belvoir St Theatre, which has long been recognised as one of the most prestigious playwriting awards in Australia. Her debut mainstage play DON’T ASK WHAT THE BIRD LOOK LIKE premiered at Queensland Theatre in 2023 and was shortlisted for the 2024 NSW Premier’s Literary Awards.
Abbie-lee Lewis
Director
Director
Abbie-lee Lewis
is a Kalkadoon woman but born on Arrante country and grew up in Western Australia. In 2008 she graduated from the Aboriginal Theatre Course at WAPA. Since moving to Sydney, she has worked with the Bell Shakespeare Company, touring their educational program, The Players. In recent years Abbie-Lee has begun to develop a passion for directing and theatre making.
Jane FitzGerald
Dramaturg
Dramaturg
Jane FitzGerald
(
she/her
)
has been Resident Dramaturg at ATYP since 2017, and has been a dramaturg for 30 years. She has worked for STC, Ensemble, Royal Court London, Playwriting Australia, ANPC and Playworks. She worked for 15 years as a Mentor with Year 12 students on HSC creative writing projects. Jane is passionate about nurturing the craft and confidence of emerging writers, dramaturgs and artists.
Talijah Blackman-Corowa
Cast
Cast
Talijah Blackman-Corowa
Talijah is a rising force in film and television. She first caught attention in Black Snow, a Goalpost Pictures series for Stan and Sundance Now, playing Isabel Baker. She went on to appear as Ainslee in the ABC series Plum. Most recently, Talijah appears in the newly released second season of Deadloch, alongside roles in the short film See Saw and the web series The Death of Bunny Munro.
Maliyan Blair
Cast
Cast
Maliyan Blair
is a Gamilaroi artist born on Bediagal land in Sydney. He has appeared on stage with ATYP in Saplings (2024) and Charlie Pilgrim (or a Beginner’s Guide to Time Travel) (2018), and with Moogahlin Performing Arts as part of the Yellamundie Festival of New Works. On screen, he features in the ABC drama Total Control (2024). On screen, he features in the ABC drama Total Control (2024) and Paramount+ series Playing Gracie Darling (2025).
Sam Harmon
Cast
Cast
Sam Harmon
Sam Harmon is a versatile performer and NIDA graduate. Most recently, Sam appeared in RENT (Opera Australia) and Jesus Christ Superstar (Crossroads Live), understudying the title role, Jesus. He made his main stage debut in LPD Productions’ RENT. Sam’s other credits include The Marvellous Elephant Man (Floating World Entertainment), Metropolis (Hayes Theatre Co/The Little Eggs Collective). Sam is represented by T&E Management.
Danny Howard
Cast
Cast
Danny Howard
Born in Broome, Western Australia, Danny has First Nation ties all up and down the west of our great southern island, including the Barrd, Noongar, Yamatji, Bunuba and Ngadju Nations. He completed WAAPA’s Aboriginal Theatre course in 2019, where a pathway in the performing arts became clear. He is driven to expand and represent his First Nations background through the arts and hopes to be a role model for future generations.
Ryan Whitworth-Jones
Associate Director
Associate Director
Ryan Whitworth-Jones
(
he/him
)
is a proud Wiradjuri man, award-winning director, producer, and arts leader. Holding an MFA in Directing from NIDA, Ryan has collaborated with prominent companies such as STC, Darlinghurst Theatre Company, Moogahlin Performing Arts, Opera Australia, Art Gallery of NSW and NAISDA Dance College. Career highlights include: Director for Fidelio (Opera Australia development), Dramaturg for The Visitors (STC); as a Producer, Ryan has earned 2 Imagine awards.
Angela Doherty
Co-Set & Costume Designer
Co-Set & Costume Designer
Angela Doherty
is a designer whose work with ATYP includes Saplings (2024) and Shack (2022), and with New Ghosts Theatre Company on Iphigenia in Splott (2021). As costume designer for Hayes Theatre Co’s A Little Night Music (2023), Red Line Productions’ The Chairs (2023) and Seymour Centre’s The Turn of the Screw (2023). She holds a BFA from NIDA and received a 2023 Sydney Theatre Award nomination for Best Independent Costume Design.
Morgan Moroney
Co-Set & Lighting Designer
Co-Set & Lighting Designer
Morgan Moroney
is a lighting & video designer whose work spans theatre and opera. Recent credits: August: Osage County (Belvoir/Black Swan), Dido & Aeneas (Pinchgut Opera), The Queen’s Nanny, Suddenly Last Summer and Clyde’s (Ensemble), The Barber of Seville (OA), Turn of the Screw (Hayes), Girls in Boys Cars (NTofP) and Saplings and Shack (ATYP). A NIDA graduate, Morgan has received multiple APDG and Sydney Theatre Awards recognitions.
Hannah Belanszky
Writer
Writer
Hannah Belanszky
(
she/her
)
is a writer, actor and Yuwaalaraay woman based in Sydney. She is the recipient of the 2025 Belnaves Fellowship with the Belvoir St Theatre, which has long been recognised as one of the most prestigious playwriting awards in Australia. Her debut mainstage play DON’T ASK WHAT THE BIRD LOOK LIKE premiered at Queensland Theatre in 2023 and was shortlisted for the 2024 NSW Premier’s Literary Awards.
Abbie-lee Lewis
Director
Director
Abbie-lee Lewis
is a Kalkadoon woman but born on Arrante country and grew up in Western Australia. In 2008 she graduated from the Aboriginal Theatre Course at WAPA. Since moving to Sydney, she has worked with the Bell Shakespeare Company, touring their educational program, The Players. In recent years Abbie-Lee has begun to develop a passion for directing and theatre making.
Jane FitzGerald
Dramaturg
Dramaturg
Jane FitzGerald
(
she/her
)
has been Resident Dramaturg at ATYP since 2017, and has been a dramaturg for 30 years. She has worked for STC, Ensemble, Royal Court London, Playwriting Australia, ANPC and Playworks. She worked for 15 years as a Mentor with Year 12 students on HSC creative writing projects. Jane is passionate about nurturing the craft and confidence of emerging writers, dramaturgs and artists.
Talijah Blackman-Corowa
Cast
Cast
Talijah Blackman-Corowa
Talijah is a rising force in film and television. She first caught attention in Black Snow, a Goalpost Pictures series for Stan and Sundance Now, playing Isabel Baker. She went on to appear as Ainslee in the ABC series Plum. Most recently, Talijah appears in the newly released second season of Deadloch, alongside roles in the short film See Saw and the web series The Death of Bunny Munro.
Maliyan Blair
Cast
Cast
Maliyan Blair
is a Gamilaroi artist born on Bediagal land in Sydney. He has appeared on stage with ATYP in Saplings (2024) and Charlie Pilgrim (or a Beginner’s Guide to Time Travel) (2018), and with Moogahlin Performing Arts as part of the Yellamundie Festival of New Works. On screen, he features in the ABC drama Total Control (2024). On screen, he features in the ABC drama Total Control (2024) and Paramount+ series Playing Gracie Darling (2025).
Sam Harmon
Cast
Cast
Sam Harmon
Sam Harmon is a versatile performer and NIDA graduate. Most recently, Sam appeared in RENT (Opera Australia) and Jesus Christ Superstar (Crossroads Live), understudying the title role, Jesus. He made his main stage debut in LPD Productions’ RENT. Sam’s other credits include The Marvellous Elephant Man (Floating World Entertainment), Metropolis (Hayes Theatre Co/The Little Eggs Collective). Sam is represented by T&E Management.
Danny Howard
Cast
Cast
Danny Howard
Born in Broome, Western Australia, Danny has First Nation ties all up and down the west of our great southern island, including the Barrd, Noongar, Yamatji, Bunuba and Ngadju Nations. He completed WAAPA’s Aboriginal Theatre course in 2019, where a pathway in the performing arts became clear. He is driven to expand and represent his First Nations background through the arts and hopes to be a role model for future generations.
Ryan Whitworth-Jones
Associate Director
Associate Director
Ryan Whitworth-Jones
(
he/him
)
is a proud Wiradjuri man, award-winning director, producer, and arts leader. Holding an MFA in Directing from NIDA, Ryan has collaborated with prominent companies such as STC, Darlinghurst Theatre Company, Moogahlin Performing Arts, Opera Australia, Art Gallery of NSW and NAISDA Dance College. Career highlights include: Director for Fidelio (Opera Australia development), Dramaturg for The Visitors (STC); as a Producer, Ryan has earned 2 Imagine awards.
Hannah Belanszky
Writer
Writer
Hannah Belanszky
(
she/her
)
is a writer, actor and Yuwaalaraay woman based in Sydney. She is the recipient of the 2025 Belnaves Fellowship with the Belvoir St Theatre, which has long been recognised as one of the most prestigious playwriting awards in Australia. Her debut mainstage play DON’T ASK WHAT THE BIRD LOOK LIKE premiered at Queensland Theatre in 2023 and was shortlisted for the 2024 NSW Premier’s Literary Awards.
Abbie-lee Lewis
Director
Director
Abbie-lee Lewis
is a Kalkadoon woman but born on Arrante country and grew up in Western Australia. In 2008 she graduated from the Aboriginal Theatre Course at WAPA. Since moving to Sydney, she has worked with the Bell Shakespeare Company, touring their educational program, The Players. In recent years Abbie-Lee has begun to develop a passion for directing and theatre making.
Jane FitzGerald
Dramaturg
Dramaturg
Jane FitzGerald
(
she/her
)
has been Resident Dramaturg at ATYP since 2017, and has been a dramaturg for 30 years. She has worked for STC, Ensemble, Royal Court London, Playwriting Australia, ANPC and Playworks. She worked for 15 years as a Mentor with Year 12 students on HSC creative writing projects. Jane is passionate about nurturing the craft and confidence of emerging writers, dramaturgs and artists.
Talijah Blackman-Corowa
Cast
Cast
Talijah Blackman-Corowa
Talijah is a rising force in film and television. She first caught attention in Black Snow, a Goalpost Pictures series for Stan and Sundance Now, playing Isabel Baker. She went on to appear as Ainslee in the ABC series Plum. Most recently, Talijah appears in the newly released second season of Deadloch, alongside roles in the short film See Saw and the web series The Death of Bunny Munro.
Maliyan Blair
Cast
Cast
Maliyan Blair
is a Gamilaroi artist born on Bediagal land in Sydney. He has appeared on stage with ATYP in Saplings (2024) and Charlie Pilgrim (or a Beginner’s Guide to Time Travel) (2018), and with Moogahlin Performing Arts as part of the Yellamundie Festival of New Works. On screen, he features in the ABC drama Total Control (2024). On screen, he features in the ABC drama Total Control (2024) and Paramount+ series Playing Gracie Darling (2025).
Sam Harmon
Cast
Cast
Sam Harmon
Sam Harmon is a versatile performer and NIDA graduate. Most recently, Sam appeared in RENT (Opera Australia) and Jesus Christ Superstar (Crossroads Live), understudying the title role, Jesus. He made his main stage debut in LPD Productions’ RENT. Sam’s other credits include The Marvellous Elephant Man (Floating World Entertainment), Metropolis (Hayes Theatre Co/The Little Eggs Collective). Sam is represented by T&E Management.
Danny Howard
Cast
Cast
Danny Howard
Born in Broome, Western Australia, Danny has First Nation ties all up and down the west of our great southern island, including the Barrd, Noongar, Yamatji, Bunuba and Ngadju Nations. He completed WAAPA’s Aboriginal Theatre course in 2019, where a pathway in the performing arts became clear. He is driven to expand and represent his First Nations background through the arts and hopes to be a role model for future generations.
Ryan Whitworth-Jones
Associate Director
Associate Director
Ryan Whitworth-Jones
(
he/him
)
is a proud Wiradjuri man, award-winning director, producer, and arts leader. Holding an MFA in Directing from NIDA, Ryan has collaborated with prominent companies such as STC, Darlinghurst Theatre Company, Moogahlin Performing Arts, Opera Australia, Art Gallery of NSW and NAISDA Dance College. Career highlights include: Director for Fidelio (Opera Australia development), Dramaturg for The Visitors (STC); as a Producer, Ryan has earned 2 Imagine awards.
Angela Doherty
Co-Set & Costume Designer
Co-Set & Costume Designer
Angela Doherty
is a designer whose work with ATYP includes Saplings (2024) and Shack (2022), and with New Ghosts Theatre Company on Iphigenia in Splott (2021). As costume designer for Hayes Theatre Co’s A Little Night Music (2023), Red Line Productions’ The Chairs (2023) and Seymour Centre’s The Turn of the Screw (2023). She holds a BFA from NIDA and received a 2023 Sydney Theatre Award nomination for Best Independent Costume Design.
Hannah Belanszky
Writer
Writer
Hannah Belanszky
(
she/her
)
is a writer, actor and Yuwaalaraay woman based in Sydney. She is the recipient of the 2025 Belnaves Fellowship with the Belvoir St Theatre, which has long been recognised as one of the most prestigious playwriting awards in Australia. Her debut mainstage play DON’T ASK WHAT THE BIRD LOOK LIKE premiered at Queensland Theatre in 2023 and was shortlisted for the 2024 NSW Premier’s Literary Awards.
Abbie-lee Lewis
Director
Director
Abbie-lee Lewis
is a Kalkadoon woman but born on Arrante country and grew up in Western Australia. In 2008 she graduated from the Aboriginal Theatre Course at WAPA. Since moving to Sydney, she has worked with the Bell Shakespeare Company, touring their educational program, The Players. In recent years Abbie-Lee has begun to develop a passion for directing and theatre making.
Jane FitzGerald
Dramaturg
Dramaturg
Jane FitzGerald
(
she/her
)
has been Resident Dramaturg at ATYP since 2017, and has been a dramaturg for 30 years. She has worked for STC, Ensemble, Royal Court London, Playwriting Australia, ANPC and Playworks. She worked for 15 years as a Mentor with Year 12 students on HSC creative writing projects. Jane is passionate about nurturing the craft and confidence of emerging writers, dramaturgs and artists.
Talijah Blackman-Corowa
Cast
Cast
Talijah Blackman-Corowa
Talijah is a rising force in film and television. She first caught attention in Black Snow, a Goalpost Pictures series for Stan and Sundance Now, playing Isabel Baker. She went on to appear as Ainslee in the ABC series Plum. Most recently, Talijah appears in the newly released second season of Deadloch, alongside roles in the short film See Saw and the web series The Death of Bunny Munro.
Maliyan Blair
Cast
Cast
Maliyan Blair
is a Gamilaroi artist born on Bediagal land in Sydney. He has appeared on stage with ATYP in Saplings (2024) and Charlie Pilgrim (or a Beginner’s Guide to Time Travel) (2018), and with Moogahlin Performing Arts as part of the Yellamundie Festival of New Works. On screen, he features in the ABC drama Total Control (2024). On screen, he features in the ABC drama Total Control (2024) and Paramount+ series Playing Gracie Darling (2025).
Sam Harmon
Cast
Cast
Sam Harmon
Sam Harmon is a versatile performer and NIDA graduate. Most recently, Sam appeared in RENT (Opera Australia) and Jesus Christ Superstar (Crossroads Live), understudying the title role, Jesus. He made his main stage debut in LPD Productions’ RENT. Sam’s other credits include The Marvellous Elephant Man (Floating World Entertainment), Metropolis (Hayes Theatre Co/The Little Eggs Collective). Sam is represented by T&E Management.
Danny Howard
Cast
Cast
Danny Howard
Born in Broome, Western Australia, Danny has First Nation ties all up and down the west of our great southern island, including the Barrd, Noongar, Yamatji, Bunuba and Ngadju Nations. He completed WAAPA’s Aboriginal Theatre course in 2019, where a pathway in the performing arts became clear. He is driven to expand and represent his First Nations background through the arts and hopes to be a role model for future generations.