Local. National. International. CYT is stepping it up a notch and jumping feet first onto the global subway system…Welcome to Season 2015!

Today, more than any time in history, we have the capacity to be globally connected. Canberra is a unique location in that it combines a regional character within a highly advanced city-state. We already straddle the lines of interconnectivity in this way, so why not reach for the stars? Our artists have been working solidly over the past 5 years, to build an impressive body of work and set of skills that would stand up across the country. This has been proven in the national tours; 40+ nominations and awards for our annual production seasons; the overwhelming successes of our artists gaining entry into fine arts institutions such as NIDA, RADA (London) and WAAPA across multiple disciplines; emerging artists making industry transitions to professional theatres; invitations to meet and work with LA casting directors and the establishment of some of the most exciting new independent artists and theatre companies around.

CYT is committed to producing art and artists of local, national and international significance. In order for us to take the achievements of the last 5 years and ensure their ongoing significance, we need to take our art to the world and start to bring the world’s art to us. This year, CYT embarks on a mission to move beyond the boundaries of our C Block Theatre space, to bring a season of extraordinary theatre into the community, to the region and to the world. Our goal is to define ways in which our artists can have sustainable professional careers that are local and global, without having to leave Canberra permanently. We want to keep our great artists here building careers, creating great work and being nationally recognized for excellence. So jump with us onto the interconnected subway system, as we travel far and wide with our season, to prove that Canberra Youth Theatre’s art and artists are indeed worthy of local, national and international stages.

Our first work starts on the national line of the global subway, with Imaginarium, a 3-day storytelling festival, welcoming nationally acclaimed children’s author, Kate Forsyth (The Impossible Quest series) and featuring our first 24-hour Production Project – putting a full production directly into the hands of our most imaginative artists (7-13yrs)! We then welcome internationally renowned independent company, Trick of the Light from the New Zealand line, with their award winning family show, The Bookbinder. In August, venture across town, deep into the National Portrait Gallery with our challenging performance art work, Skin – exploring identity and body image in response to the NPG’s Australians Unclad exhibition. Follow us into the regions as we embark on a 2-year project with United Fusion, in Cowra; and join us on the global line, as we finish the year with our brand new commission, Dead Men’s Wars, an international collaboration with Long Cloud Youth Theatre, which will see our production tour for its first international season in New Zealand!

Karla ConwayArtistic Director

IMAGINARIUM is a three-day festival of storytelling for primary students, featuring CYT’s first ever 24-hr Production Project by our young artists, headline workshops from acclaimed children’s author, Kate Forsyth (The Impossible Quest series) and headline performances by renowned Australian Puppeteer, Marianne Mettes (Sesame Street, PuppetOOdle).

Engage in a hive of performances, author talks, and idea generations. Participate in improvisations, creative writing, dance, puppetry, filmmaking, illustration, zine and imaginative play workshops. Star in your own TV show at CYT’s Chroma Key Studio and download your clips at the end of the day! Bring along a book and swap it in the Book Fair or pick up a new one and have it autographed by our visiting authors! For those looking for a challenge, step up and get involved in our 24-hr Production Project!

During Imaginarium, artists (7 – 13yrs) will have 24 hours to write, audition, cast, direct, design, build, rig lights and rehearse a brand new World Premiere production, ready to perform for family, friends and public as the festival finale on Saturday night! This is one event you will not want to miss!

Auditions 21 March

Primary students & CYT artists (7 – 13yrs) 9 - 11 APRIL | GORMAN ARTS CENTRE

CYT in partnership with ACT Writers Centre

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“They say you can get lost in a good book. But it’s worse getting lost in a bad one …”

From award-winning independent company Trick of the Light Theatre (NZ), comes a story of mystery,magic and mayhem. Inspired by the haunting works of Neil Gaiman and Joy Cowley, The Bookbinder weaves shadow-play, paper art, puppetry and music into an inventive solo performance for adventurous adults and curious children…

Multi-award Winner - 2014 NZ Fringe Awards (Best Theatre | Best in the Fringe | Tiki Tour Ready Award)

Suitable for all ages 7 – 77yrs 17 - 18 APRIL | C BLOCK THEATRE

- 2014 Sydney Fringe Festival (International Excellence Award)

Presented by CYT and Trick of the Light Theatre, NZ

ACT PREMIERE

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CYT in partnership with the National Portrait Gallery

Exploring the soul behind the skin, audiences will be taken on an intimate journey through the National Portrait Gallery, examining, observing and reflecting on the different skins we wear to construct and control our identity through the myriad roles we play in our lives.

Combining spoken word, physical theatre and performance art, Canberra Youth Theatre puts our contemporary relationship with body image under the microscope, to present an intimate series of live performance installations through the National Portrait Gallery, in response to Australians Unclad – an exhibition examining Australian culture through various state of undress.

Auditions 18 February

CYT Actors Ensemble (16 – 25yrs)

Directed by Alison Plevey & Katie Cawthorne

27 - 30 AUGUST | NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY

WORLD PREMIERE

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CYT in collaboration with Long Cloud Youth Theatre (NZ) and supported by The Street (ACT) & Whitireia Performance Centre (NZ)

Dead Men’s Wars is a vital, new theatre work developed by Canberra Youth Theatre in collaboration with Long Cloud Youth Theatre, NZ. It explores the place of young people within the ANZAC legacy, in both Australia and New Zealand and the evolution of our relationship over the past century.

Dead Men’s Wars is a fast-moving, contemporary perspective on our ANZAC traditions by this generation – boldly challenging the ANZAC mythology and interrogating gender inequities, through a multi-dimensional manipulation of time, space, memory and art. This brand new work by 2014 Bruce Mason Playwriting Award winner, Ralph McCubbin Howell (NZ) calls on audiences to redefine the relevance of the ANZAC spirit for the next century, as we re-connect the NZ voice to Australia’s ANZAC narrative.

Dead Men’s Wars will premiere in Canberra and tour to Wellington, NZ.

Auditions July 2015

CYT & LCYT Artists (14 – 25yrs)

Directed by Stella Reid

14 – 17 OCTOBER | THE STREET, CANBERRA

21 – 24 OCTOBER | WHITIREIA THEATRE, WELLINGTON NZ

WORLD PREMIERE

BY RALPH MCCUBBIN HOWELL

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16 – 25 yrs

CYT Actors Ensemble is designed for performers in

college and beyond, who wish to pursue advanced

actor training within a production context. Develop

core skills in acting and audition technique, movement,

voice, improvisation, script analysis and devising. The

program is committed to ensuring that actors develop

their craft holistically, including critical experience

performing with and without audience, in both live

performance and studio-based acting contexts.

Entry by audition

CYT Actors Ensemble will present SKIN at the

National Portrait Gallery in August 2015.

Tutors: Katie Cawthorne Alison Plevey

Apply: www.cytc.net Applications Close: 16 February

Seniors 15-25yrs

Juniors 9-14yrs

Technical Theatre is a hands-on, practical workshop

exploring all the elements of Lighting, Sound and

Stage Management. Through the term, techies will learn

how to use all the equipment in the theatre to run a

production safely, including how to rig and focus lights;

set-up sound equipment; patch, program and operate

desks; create soundscapes and stage manage a show.

Senior techs will also learn the principles of design.

All Tech students will have the opportunity to apply

these skills practically, working across multiple shows

in the production season.

Tutor: Johnboy Davidson Enrol: www.cytc.net

2017

15 - 25 yrs

Performance Lab is for actors, directors, dancers,

writers, circus artists, designers, technicians, gamers

& musicians who are interested in the theatre-making

process and want to work with others, building

independent collectives or companies. The Lab aims to

assist the transition from emerging artist to independent

professional, through creative development of new

projects, destined for spaces and festivals across

Australia. Collaborate and experiment with

multi-disciplinary forms, in this cutting edge Laboratory,

training independent theatre-makers who wish to learn

how to create new works from the ground up.

Tutor: Karla Conway

Apply: www.cytc.net

Applications Close: 20 April

15 – 25 yrs

Auditions: Working Actor focuses on the ways in

which young and emerging actors can break into the

entertainment industry by developing strong audition

techniques. This master class series will take participants

through the process of preparing contrasting audition

pieces for schools (NIDA, WAAPA, VCA), and professional

acting jobs, voice overs and screen tests – focusing on

different techniques required by the industry for each

pathway. Led by NIDA’s former Head of Performance

Practices, the course will conclude with a mock audition,

based on the NIDA model.

Tutor: Karen Vickery

Enrol: www.cytc.net

A fun and exciting workshop, the 7-9yrs Ensembles learn

the key elements of performance in a safe, creative and

welcoming environment. Participants build confidence

and develop core skills in voice, movement, story and

character, using drama games and exercises to unleash

their imagination and work as a creative team.

With their tutor, actors work together to adapt a story

or devise an original performance, which utilizes these

skills in a fun and practical way, culminating in a polished

performance for family and friends.

7 - 9yrs Ensembles

Monday | Wednesday

Enrol: www.cytc.net

10-12yrs Ensembles are introduced to different

theatrical conventions and performance styles, while

continuing to develop essential skills in improvisation,

voice, movement, character and storytelling.

Delving into a particular style, participants work as

an ensemble and creative team to create an original

performance that reflects their ideas, skills and

worldviews, culminating in a polished performance for

family and friends.

10-12yrs Ensembles

Monday | Wednesday

Enrol: www.cytc.net

Drama in Primary Schools workshops are a fantastic and

fun weekly after school program for kids 7-12yrs! Using

drama games and activities participants build confidence

and develop introductory drama skills in voice,

movement, character development, improvisation

and theatre making. Parents are invited to see their

works in progress at the end of each term.

Schools: Neville Bonner Primary School Miles Franklin Primary School Fraser Primary School Turner School North Ainslie Primary School Lyneham Primary School Charnwood Dunlop School Aranda Primary School

Yrs 2 - 6Mon | Tues | Wed | Thurs

Enrol: www.cytc.net

Holiday Workshops are an intensive week of skill

building, performance making and madcap fun for

young actors aged 7 – 12yrs.

Morning sessions are skills based, using drama games

& activities to develop core performance skills, build

confidence and generate ideas and characters that

appeal to the actors.

Afternoon sessions focus on play building – the creation

and rehearsal of a polished original performance from

participants’ ideas, which will be performed for family

and friends at the end of the week!

Ages: 7-12yrs Times: Mon–Fri | 9am–3pm dailyHolidays: Jan | Apr | July | Oct Enrol: www.cytc.net

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13–17yrs Ensembles experiment in new acting

techniques and theatre making practices, with a focus

on refining high-level performance skills.

Semester 1 focuses on an introduction to

theatre-making, using a range of processes to uncover

ideas, generate material and structure a cohesive

original work which reflects what the artists want to

say and how they want to say it. Semester 2 sees actors

using a range of performance mediums as they learn

how to interpret and work with text, drawing on a broad

selection of acting methods to bring monologues and

scenes from the page to the stage.

13 – 17yrs Ensembles

Tuesdays

Enrol: www.cytc.net

CYT‘s Work Experience Program provides highly

motivated individuals with the opportunity to come

behind the scenes at CYT for a week, gaining insight into

what it is like to work within a theatre company.

Work in the theatre, observe rehearsals, attend program

meetings, assist in the office and get your hands dirty

in the workshop! Students with a particular interest in

technical theatre, playwriting, design, arts marketing

or arts management may also be eligible for extended

mentoring and internships.

Enquiries: info@cytc.net

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CYT’s teen actors from the 13 – 17yrs Ensembles will develop original new works for public performance in the 2015

Fast + Fresh Festival at the Canberra Theatre Centre.

Fast + Fresh offers young actors, writers and directors the opportunity to create and produce new Australian 10-minute

plays that reflect their world and unique point of view. Working with some of Canberra’s best tutors and mentors, the

artists will identify themes and ideas that are bold, contemporary and relevant to them. Using advanced devising and

writing processes, the artists will work with their mentors over 15 weeks to interrogate their ideas, experiment

with different forms, generate material and finely craft a new work for performance at both CYT and the

Canberra Theatre Centre.

The plays entered by CYT will be devised, written and performed by the artists in the 13 – 17yrs Ensembles. The best plays

from each heat will go into the final showcase of the festival on Saturday 6th June.

13 – 17yrs Ensembles

Tuesdays

Enrol: www.cytc.net

Come to the Theatre! CYT is excited to grow in partnership

with our high school and college Drama teachers by

offering: Friday schools matinees for CYT productions;

theatre tours; teacher resource kits and post-show

discussions with the artists for your students; comp

tickets for teachers; subsidised ticket prices for students;

cross promote school productions to CYT membership;

work experience placements for students; facilitate

specialised workshops through By-Design; we will

even come and run a Careers Night talk at your school:

Navigating Australia’s Theatre Industry for parents and

students.

Bookings & Enquiries: info@cytc.net

By-Design Workshops are individually tailored training

and development workshops designed specifically to

meet your needs.

CYT facilitates By-Design Workshops for regional

communities, corporate training, public libraries,

youth groups, National Institutions, early childhood

programs, primary schools, high schools, colleges and

other community organisations, working in a variety of

settings.

Workshops can be conducted at your venue or in our

theatre space at Gorman Arts Centre.

Talk to us about creating a program designed specifically

to your needs.

Enquiries: (02) 6248 5057

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In partnership with the Canberra Theatre Centre (CTC). CYT Ambassadors are a group of motivated senior students representing high schools & colleges across Canberra, who meet regularly to attend an eclectic program of live theatre, sit in on open production rehearsals and take part in workshops led by visiting guest artists. Experience the latest works from Sydney Theatre Company, Barking Gecko, Sydney Festival, Circus OZ, Queensland Theatre Company, big Hart, Sydney Dance Company and more, all for free!

In return, Ambassadors simply share their experiences with friends, posting responses to the shows throughout the year on social media and sharing their experiences at school.

Ambassadors will take turns to blog about their favourite experiences, which will be published online by CYT and CTC.

Apply: www.cytc.net | Get Involved

Applications Close: 20 March

AMBASSADOR WELCOME | CYT

BLACK DIGGERS | CTC

THE BOOKBINDER | CYT

FRAME OF MIND | CTC

STORM BOY | CTC

KELLY | CTC

BETRAYAL | CTC

SKIN | CYT

GHOSTS IN THE SCHEME| CTC

BUT WAIT...THERE’S MORE! | CTC

DEAD MEN’S WARS | CYT

AMBASSADOR WRAP UP | CYT

KATIE CAWTHORNE ALISON PLEVEY

RUTH PIELOORTAMZIN NUGENTCAROLINE SIMONE O’BRIEN

ANDREW EDDEY CASEY ELDER MILLY COOPER

KARLA CONWAY

KAREN VICKERY JOHNBOY DAVIDSON

CATHY PETÖCZCATHERINE JEAN-KRISTA

CASSIE HART NICOLA TYNDALE-BISCOE

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WEBWWW.CYTC.NET

EMAILINFO@CYTC.NET

PHONE(02) 6248 5057