You’ll ❤ what’s on at ATYP in February! 🎭
It’s February. 2020 is officially up and running! I can’t remember any years that have started with the sadness and sense of foreboding that we’ve experienced in the past month. Our hearts and thoughts are with all those affected by the fires, the drought and now the floods around Australia. The one positive from these trying times is seeing the sense of community that unites us in times of trouble. So often the activities that are bringing people together are lead by our nation’s artists. They are an inspiration for all of us.
During our Summer holiday workshop program we started collecting donations for the amazing folks at Wildlife Rescue South Coast. To date, we’ve raised over $600. If you’d like to donate you can do so via their website. Thanks to all the parents, carers, families and young people who so generously dug deep to support the tireless volunteers look after fire-affected wildlife on the south coast.
As we pack away the boxes from holiday workshops we are getting ready to welcome our weekly drama classes. If you haven’t yet registered for this term get in quick. Yes places are filling up, but more importantly, if you don’t join us this week you’ll miss your chance to say goodbye to our much-loved manager of all things workshops, Rob Jago. Rob started with ATYP five years ago this week, has been the heart and soul of the company and will be sadly missed. Rob has put this excellent program together as a farewell to the company so check what’s available on the website. You’ll see why he’s one of the finest acting coaches in the country.
For emerging playwrights in Sydney and Perth, applications are now open for the Fresh Ink National Mentoring program. Fresh Ink is one of Australia’s most respected professional development programs for emerging young writers. The ten-month program gives four writers in each participating region the opportunity to be guided by a leading industry professional, learning the craft of storytelling to enhance their own voice. Head to the writing page of our website to apply.
Sydney audiences should also book now for the Sydney premiere of CUSP by Mary Anne Butler, playing next month. Co-produced by ATYP and Darwin’s iconic Brown’s Mart Theatre, CUSP won the 2018 Northern Territory Literary Award for Theatre before receiving rave responses to its opening season in Darwin last October. Featuring an extraordinary cast of three young professional actors, the play follows young lives on the edge of adult responsibility. This is an example of Australian youth theatre at its very best – a compelling story propelled by self-deprecating humour and disarming truth that leaves us feeling like we’ve spent a tropical hour with our feet in the dirt of the Top End.
I look forward to seeing you there.
Until next month.