Australian Theatre for Young People will deliver high-quality workshops in public secondary schools, with a focus on lower socio-economic areas. Aligned with the Dram...
Australian Theatre for Young People (ATYP)
Theatre for Change: Empowering Young People Through The Art of Performance
GOAL
$20,000
australia > NATIONWIDE > Metro and regional
01/01/2025 > 31/12/2025
FIELD OF INTEREST
- Arts and culture
- Community and economic development
TARGET POPULATION
- Young people (6-25)
- People experiencing socio-economic disadvantage or vulnerability
PROJECT SUMMARY
Australian Theatre for Young People will deliver high-quality workshops in public secondary schools, with a focus on lower socio-economic areas. Aligned with the Drama and Creative Arts Curriculum and HSC syllabus, these workshops are designed to enhance students’ drama skills while cultivating essential soft skills such as communication, collaboration, empathy, and confidence.
Our approach integrates in-school workshops led by experienced artists, comprehensive teacher and student engagement, and digital access to resources and productions via the innovative ATYP On Demand platform. Professional teaching artists, equipped with extensive theatre and performance experience, will lead the workshops, ensuring engaging and skills-based sessions.
The program is tailored to meet the diverse needs of young people at risk, those with disabilities, and neurodivergent young people, ensuring an inclusive and supportive environment for all participants. We strategically focus on geographic areas and schools where students might otherwise lack access to high-quality arts education.
Under the guidance of some of the industry’s most experienced tutors, our workshops aim to positively impact participants’ wellbeing, self-esteem, and academic engagement. By nurturing creativity and providing meaningful artistic experiences, ATYP aspires to make a lasting impact on the personal and social development of young people in underserved communities.
PROJECT OUTCOMES
Our mission is to make youth-driven, evidence-based learning experiences accessible to young people and educators across the country. We build on proven methods to ensure impactful and lasting benefits for young people. By delivering high-quality theatre workshops in underserved public secondary schools, particularly in lower ICSEA percentile areas and rural and remote communities, we expect to achieve the following key outcomes:
Enhanced Wellbeing and Self-Esteem: Extensive research demonstrates that participation in the performing arts profoundly impacts young people's emotional, social, cognitive and academic development. A 2017 study by Patternmakers found that 91% of young Australians reported improved wellbeing and 89% saw increased self-confidence from participating in the performing arts. Our program aims to replicate these outcomes by fostering emotional resilience, self-esteem, and confidence among participants.
Development of Essential Soft Skills: Students will develop critical skills like communication, collaboration, empathy, and problem-solving. These abilities not only enhance academic performance but also prepare young people for future success in various life pathways, contributing to their holistic development.
Improved Academic Performance: Engaging in the performing arts has been shown to enhance cognitive development and academic achievement across all areas of the curriculum. Our workshops, aligned with the Drama and Creative Arts Curriculum and HSC syllabus, foster creative thinking, reflective skills, and a deeper engagement with the learning process.
Strengthened Community Connections: Theatre participation strengthens community ties and increases young people’s willingness to engage in community activities like volunteering and voting. By fostering belonging and connection, the program promotes a culture of inclusivity and mutual respect in schools.
Ultimately, we seek to empower young people, enrich their educational experiences, and support their personal and social development, leaving a lasting impact on both individuals and their communities.
Australian Theatre for Young People (ATYP)
The Australian Theatre for Young People (ATYP) delivers professional arts education programs with a national impact. Our vision is to enrich the lives of young people through the transformative power of theatre.
As Australia’s oldest youth theatre company, ATYP provides young people with opportunities to engage in theatre both on and off the stage. Our Youth Advisory Board — a dedicated committee of 60 young people aged 13-26 from across Australia — plays an instrumental role in refining our approach, to meet the diverse needs of the young people we serve.
Research demonstrates that participation in the performing arts offers significant benefits across emotional, social, cognitive, and academic domains. Engaging in theatre fosters creativity, builds confidence, and strengthens community connections.
ATYP is a leader in connecting young people with industry professionals: providing opportunities through productions, workshops and writing programs. Our programs cater to young people aged 4-26, supporting them from their first theatre experience to the start of their professional careers. We stage critically acclaimed productions and national tours, providing young people with a platform to voice their opinions and experiences while developing skills in critical reflection.
Our state-of-the-art facilities are home to the young artists of tomorrow. The Rebel Theatre — ATYP's fully-equipped performance venue named after our Ambassador, Rebel Wilson — serves as a dynamic space where young voices can thrive. We host a range of productions, workshops, and events, offering a professional environment for young artists to showcase their talents and connect with audiences.
BUDGET BREAKDOWN
TOTAL BUDGET: $50,000
FUNDING
| Funding source | Amount |
|---|---|
| Philanthropic grants (unconfirmed) | $30,000 |
| Funding gap (unconfirmed) | $20,000 |
EXPENSES
| Expense item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Workshop Manager (for 20 workshops) | $8,000 |
| Teaching Artists, Teaching Assistants and Oncosts (for 20 workshops) | $16,640 |
| Production Staff and Oncosts (for 20 workshops) | $8,724 |
| Technical Support (for 20 workshops) | $1,724 |
| Cleaning (for 20 workshops) | $540 |
| Production Costs including Equipment, Workshop Consumables, Printing Scripts and Lesson Plans (for 20 workshops) | $2,400 |
| Venue Hire (for 20 workshops) | $2,500 |
| Travel Costs including Flights, Car Hire, Petrol and Accommodation (for 20 workshops) | $7,000 |
| General Admin costs including Phone, Insurances, Audit and Financial Admin Costs (for 20 workshops) | $1,472 |
| Production Contingency (for 20 workshops) | $1,000 |
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