Welcome to April at ATYP

I’m writing this introduction sitting in a huge theatre tent on the Gold Coast, waiting to let the audience in for our second performance of Patrice Balbina’s Chance Encounter with the End of the World. This beautiful little play draws together artists from six countries, and is being presented as part of the Commonwealth Games Cultural Festival. I always wanted to be part of an international sporting event! We perform this week on Tuesday and Wednesday on the Gold Coast, then we leap on a plane to fly to Sydney to do a short season at Riverside Theatres in Parramatta. If you are driving distance from either part of Australia make sure you come along, we’d love to see you.

Further afield the team from A Town Named Warboy are continuing their national tour. The Warboys are in Canberra this week before heading down to Victoria. This powerful production is entertaining audiences of all ages, giving people around the country a chance to see their national youth theatre company.

The end of the financial year has appeared on the horizon which signals the launch of our 2018 Annual Appeal. For those wonderful people who know ATYP and believe in what we do, anything you can give is massively appreciated. Participating in youth theatre makes a huge impact on the personal growth of young people. Your donations are vital to keeping this important company going.

Of course with school holidays just a week away spaces are filling up fast. If you want to get involved in the amazing program of activities make sure you contact Claudene and Rob as soon as possible to secure your place.

And finally, for all the new and established writers around the country, applications are currently open for the 2018 ATYP Foundation Commissions. These two annual commissions worth a combined $24,00 generate plays for actors aged 10-13 and 14-17 and have been won in the past by some of the nations best emerging writers, screen and stage. We would encourage everyone to apply.

As always that’s just a tiny glimpse of all that’s happening this month at ATYP. We also have masterclasses, auditions, script development workshops and school activities. Get in touch with us to find out how you can get involved.

Until next month.

Fraser