Have a specialized Drama Workshop program designed to suit your specific needs.

In the past we have run workshops in:

Audition Preparation, Acting Technique, Improvisation, Group Devising, Comedy, Physical Theatre, Circus, Acting For Camera, Commedia dell’Arte, Voice, Scriptwriting, Unlocking Shakespeare, 20th Century Theatre Practitioners, Theatre of the Oppressed, Suzuki, Laban, Viewpoints, Butoh, Boal, Directing, Approaching Text, Lighting Design, Set & Costume Design, Stage Management & Teaching Primary and Secondary Drama.

Act up! Act out! Act Now!

This workshop explores what happens when improvisation meets script. Participants will focus on developing their acting skills through applying improvisation techniques to scenes from well known scripts ranging from Shakespeare to contemporary Australian theatre to film/tv.

Throughout the semester participants will learn how to interpret and work with script whilst drawing on a broad selection of dynamic improvisation exercises and techniques to bring the scenes to life. The workshop will conclude with a short performance of duologues for family & friends.

Just add your imagination and stir!

In this fun workshop participants will develop their performance skills as they play drama exercises and engage in the collaborative process of playbuilding. Using nothing but their imaginations and drawing on the performance and story telling skills taught each week participants will be guided through the process of creating an original work that tells their very own collective story – the Story of Us!

This is a fun workshop for little actors who want to explore the magic of drama.

Participants will actively engage their imaginations through playing drama games and exercises. Over fifteen weeks participants will learn about focus, given circumstances, space, time, voice, movement and improvisation as they create characters and explore the art of storytelling.

Please Note: There is no performance outcome for this workshop, the focus is on building skills and confidence.

A fun workshop for little actors who want to explore the magic of theatre!

Participants will develop their performance skills through playing drama games and exercises. They will focus on creating kooky characters and exploring the art of storytelling as they bring to life Lisa Shanahan’s much loved book Gordon’s Got A Snookie* – a story about a very sookie gorilla and how he finds some friends. This workshop will conclude with a short performance for family & friends.
* published by Allen & Unwin

News Flash! invites participants to develop their performance skills as they create an original theatre performance based on a strange and true story about a “devilish granny”!

Inspired by a newspaper article about Henrietta Raes, a French granny who baffles everyone she meets and outsmarts the law, participants will develop kooky characters and create a humorous performance to be remembered. Keep your eye on your croissant it may just go missing…. This workshop will conclude with a short performance for family & friends.

Villains plotting dastardly deeds (gasp!) Heroines in peril (oh no!) Heroes saving the day (hooray!)

In this workshop participants will develop their acting skills focusing on developing skills in voice, movement and character development as they bring to life the exaggerated characters and crazy plot lines of a classic short melodramatic tale of great silliness!
This workshop will conclude with a short performance for family & friends.

A fun workshop for little actors who want to be able to tell big stories!

Participants will play drama games and engage their imaginations by improvising characters and stories. Stories will be told and retold in this workshop in more ways than you can poke a stick at. Participants will delve deep into the world of storytelling as they transform a well-known story using creative movement, voice, and the magic of theatre.
This workshop will conclude with a short performance for family & friends.

Canberra Youth Theatre and Little Dove Theatre Art present Battlefield.

Battlefield is a Butoh-inspired Live Art work that explores the cross generational desire to reach for perfection through conformity.

Participants must be prepared to work to the extreme of their physical and mental capabilities, as you will be exploring your performance limits and embody your unique emotions.  It's confronting. It's exhausting.  It's exhilarating.

Participants must be available for every rehearsal and performance.

Please wear loose comfortable clothing you can move in.

Using Butoh and 80’s dance, Chenoeh Miller will direct CYT performers aged 18-25 in the all encompassing sensory experience of Battlefield. With a Butoh body as their foundation the performers responses to Battlefield will be evocative, startling and thought provoking – the human propensity to seek perfection through conformity will be laid bare. The performance will take place in an intimate space.

Chenoeh is well known for creating work which fuses the two performance styles of Butoh and Live Art: Butoh originated in Japan in the late 1950s, Live Art was a term coined in the 1980’s in the United Kingdom.

Canberra Youth Theatre and Little Dove Theatre Art present BATTLEFIELD as part of the 2010 Canberra Festival.

Battlefield is a Butoh-inspired Live Art work that explores the cross generational desire to reach for perfection through conformity.

Using Butoh and 80’s dance, Chenoeh Miller will direct CYT performers aged 18-25 in the all encompassing sensory experience of Battlefield. With a Butoh body as their foundation the performers responses to Battlefield will be evocative, startling and thought provoking – the human propensity to seek perfection through conformity will be laid bare. The performance will take place in an intimate space.

Chenoeh is well known for creating work which fuses the two performance styles of Butoh and Live Art: Butoh originated in Japan in the late 1950s, Live Art was a term coined in the 1980’s in the United Kingdom.

Actors Ensemble - Actor Training from Professional Artist (Year Long Course)

The CYT Actors Ensemble is for young people aged 18-25 who are passionate about developing their skills in performance through professional training.

Auditions for the Ensemble are held at the start of each year and those selected commit to training together on a weekly basis developing core skills in acting, movement, voice, improvisation and performance making.

In 2010 the Ensemble will be actively engaged in the development and performance of CYT’s major production, RETRIEVAL, a hybrid art installation performance at the National Library of Australia.
RETRIEVAL will take our audience on a weaving journey deep into the stack of the National Library. It will be an expedition into our collective past. The library is the keeper of our past – it is a maze of the stories of humanity. Stories of the mundane and of great profundity are deposited there hoping one day to be retrieved – to be read – to be heard – to be of use – to make a difference. History repeats itself when stories are not heard and heeded. Retrieval challenges us to look back in order to look forward.

PARTICIPANTS MUST ENROL & COMMIT TO THE ACTORS ENSEMBLE FOR THE WHOLE YEAR. Apply now as places are strictly limited!

Application forms can be obtained by contacting the CYT office - us@cytc.net
or by phone (02) 6248 5057

hiJinx: boisterous celebration or merry-making, unrestrained fun!

hiJinx is a youth managed and produced evening of youth variety performance at the National Folk Festival.

If you are between the ages of 12-25 and have an act then you are invited to apply to perform at hiJinx. Get up off your couch and act, sing, dance, juggle, play a tune, show your short film, cavort and do your hiJinx on stage.

All performers get a complimentary day pass to the National Folk Festival.

For an application form please contact the hiJinx Committee at hijinx@cytc.net

CYT’s OPEN HOUSE program is for young independent artists seeking to create/ rehearse/develop a theatrical project. OPEN HOUSE invites emerging artists to take theatrical risks and expand their performance horizons through engaging in an artistic residency in our space for a fortnight.

CYT’s OPEN HOUSE program is for young independent artists seeking to create/ rehearse/develop a theatrical project. OPEN HOUSE invites emerging artists to take theatrical risks and expand their performance horizons through engaging in an artistic residency in our space for a fortnight.

In 2010 CYT will run OPEN HOUSE twice: providing an ACT & an interstate emerging artist with the opportunity to develop new work in our theatre.

The selected artist will have:
- rent-free access to a flexible performance space with lighting rig
and sound system for two weeks.
- a stipend to financially support* them for the duration of Open
House (conditions apply)
- the support of the Artistic Director of CYT and/or a mentor
- access to the resources of the company (office, workshop,
technical & theatrical)
- travel reimbursement* for non ACT recipient (*within Australia,
conditions apply)
- accommodation for non ACT recipient at Gorman House Arts
Centre

Contact the Artistic Director for further details and an application form, us@cytc.net or 02 6248 5057

OPEN HOUSE Recipients must be Australian Citizens.

Applications Close: Friday 9 April 2010

“OPEN HOUSE was the perfect testing ground, we failed, we succeeded, we discovered new ideas waiting for us “ - Cathy Petocz 2008 OPEN HOUSE Recipient

“I was terrified and delighted with the result…I had a dream…thanks to Canberra Youth Theatre the dream is coming true.”
- Tobias Manderson-Galvin 2009 OPEN HOUSE Recipient

RETRIEVAL, a hybrid art installation performance at the National Library of Australia.

RETRIEVAL will take our audience on a weaving journey deep into the stack of the National Library. It will be an expedition into our collective past. The library is the keeper of our past – it is a maze of the stories of humanity. Stories of the mundane and of great profundity are deposited there hoping one day to be retrieved – to be read – to be heard – to be of use – to make a difference. History repeats itself when stories are not heard and heeded. Retrieval challenges us to look back in order to look forward.

Commit to training all year with a group of dedicated young performers and then perform in a major production at the end of the year!

In Semester 1 participants will explore the essentials of acting. Develop skills in voice, movement, characterisation, improvisation and physical theatre.

In Semester 2 the Teen Ensemble will be actively engaged in the development and performance of CYT’s major production, RETRIEVAL, a hybrid art installation performance at the National Library of Australia.

RETRIEVAL will take our audience on a weaving journey deep into the stack of the National Library. It will be an expedition into our collective past. The library is the keeper of our past – it is a maze of the stories of humanity. Stories of the mundane and of great profundity are deposited there hoping one day to be retrieved – to be read – to be heard – to be of use – to make a difference. History repeats itself when stories are not heard and heeded. Retrieval challenges us to look back in order to look forward.

PARTICIPANTS MUST ENROL & COMMIT TO THE TEEN ENSEMBLE FOR THE WHOLE YEAR. Enrol now as places are strictly limited!

The senior Actors Ensemble at Canberra Youth Theatre will be embarking on a new initiative to explore and expose great new playwriting to the people of Canberra, in THE SEED: Staged Reading Program.

On the first Tuesday of each month the Actors Ensemble will present a staged reading of new play by award winning emerging playwrights from across Australia. THE SEED started off with a one of Canberra’s most exciting writers, David (Finig) Finnigan, presenting Autopsy Play Backwards and Other Plays.

The next new work, by award winning QLD playwright, David Burton will be presented on Tuesday 4th May. Ending Gorgeous is a play about a real-life superhero: Margaret, who is independently contracted by the government as Australia's first line of defense. The balance between Margaret's personal life, her children and saving the world, leads her to re-examine her entire morality.

Admission to the Staged Reading is FREE!! CYT is committed to the development of new work and supporting emerging writers, actors, designers and technicians by providing professional pathways for their development. Come along and share in the excitement of hearing cutting edge contemporary playwriting! Audience feedback is welcome.

Lights! Camera! Action!

Acting for the Camera requires a very special skill set, different to the needs of the stage actor. In this practical workshop, the participants will develop specific techniques for working in film and television – from hitting your mark to camera techniques and etiquette of the film set. Participants will also gain exposure to TV Presenting and will create a short show reel of scenes and presenting work.

This workshop will conclude with a gala screening of film / television scenes shot throughout the duration of the course.

Places are limited so enrol now at www.cytc.net
Enquiries: us@cytc.net
(02) 6248 5057

Backstage Madness (Lighting, Sound, Stage Management)

Are you fascinated with Theatre but not so keen to be in the spotlight? Back Stage Madness is a practical workshop exploring what makes a production actually tick.

Through an exploration of Lighting, Sound and Stage Management, participants will learn how to run a theatrical production, design, rig and focus lights, set-up and run sound equipment, create digital sound scapes and stage management – creating the prompt book and calling the cues for a show.

Participants will learn these skills and apply them to the Major CYT Production – 'Retrieval'. You will become a member of the Backstage Team and run the show at the National Library of Australia in November

Places are limited so enrol now at www.cytc.net
Enquiries us@cytc.net
(02) 6248 5057

Special Project - The Quilt

Participants will view this historical artifact, "The Red Riding Hood Quilt" and devise a Museum Theatre piece inspired by the detailed depictions of Red Riding Hood and the wolf as an allegory for Nazi Germany.

In 1946, Ukrainian woman, Olga Basylewycz created a handmade quilt featuring Little Red Riding Hood, whilst living in a displaced persons camp in southern Germany post world war II. This quilt, which can be interpreted as a vivid allegory of Nazism, became an innocent wall decoration at a Melbourne kindergarten, before being donated to the National Museum through the Museum's migrant heritage program.

Participants will view this historical artefact and devise a Museum Theatre piece inspired by the detailed depictions of Red Riding Hood and the wolf as an allegory for Nazi Germany. The performance will be included as a part of the Museum Theatre Festival from 3-6 November.

This workshop will conclude with a performance at the National Museum of Australia.

Places are limited so enrol now at www.cytc.net
Enquiries us@cytc.net
(02) 6248 5057

Embark on a long distance scriptwriting journey with the young writers from other youth theatres across the country.

Young playwrights will write short plays based on a chosen theme and in 2011 the youth theatre companies will perform their own and each others work. If your play is chosen by another youth theatre you may have the chance to travel to see your play performed!

Here at CYT you will be guided through the process of writing a short play from idea to final draft. You will also have the opportunity to work with the Head of Playwriting at NIDA, Jane Bodie, for an intensive workshop on your play idea, with Peter Matheson on structure and form of your writing and finally, share an amazing weekend intensive with award winning playwright Angela Betzien on working with actors and working through the re-writes! An amazing opportunity to work with some of Australia’s best!

This workshop will conclude with a script reading of completed works.

Enrol now at www.cytc.net
Enquiries us@cytc.net
(02) 6248 5057

Participants will gain in-depth insight into character development, voice, movement and interactive performance as they explore the world of red-nose and contemporary clowning.

Using their red noses as their guides, participants will explore relationships between people, places and objects, and improvise their way to a group-devised original clowning performance. Laughs are guaranteed as exaggerated characters and wondrous discoveries collide in a world where anything is possible.

This workshop will conclude with a short performance for family & friends.

Enrol now at www.cytc.net
Enquiries us@cytc.net
(02) 6248 5057

Meet the Poncenbys: the world’s most dysfunctional and unlikeable family.

Trouble is brewing as the Poncenby's plot and plan for their long-awaited family reunion. People are disappearing! Strange events are taking place! Alarming odours are permeating the floorboards! Participants will develop their performance skills as they create an original theatre performance filled with mystery, mayhem, and all round tomfoolery.

This workshop will conclude with a short performance for family & friends.

Places are limited so enrol now at www.cytc.net
Enquiries us@cytc.net
(02) 6248 5057

Participants will develop their acting and stagecraft knowledge through drama games and exercises that focus on building fundamental theatrical skills. This fun workshop will include brainstorming and story creation as each week the participants join forces to devise an original performance that takes a quirky look at the world and our place in it.

This workshop will conclude with a short performance for family & friends.

Places are limited so enrol now at www.cytc.net
Enquiries us@cytc.net
(02) 6248 5057

A fun workshop for little actors to take a storybook and transform it from the Page to the Stage!

Participants will develop their performance skills through playing drama games and exercises. They will focus on creating great Aussie characters and exploring the art of storytelling as they bring to life Muldoon & Rudd’s Jasper & Abbey and the Great Australia Day Kerfuffle*.
* Published by Allen & Unwin

This workshop will conclude with a short performance for family & friends.

Places are limited so enrol now at www.cytc.net
Enquiries us@cytc.net
(02) 6248 5057

This is a fun workshop for little actors who want to explore the magic of drama.

Participants will actively engage their imaginations through playing drama games and exercises. Over fifteen weeks participants will learn about focus, given circumstances, space, time, voice, movement and improvisation as they create characters and explore the art of storytelling.

Please Note: There is no performance outcome for this workshop, the focus is on building skills and confidence.

Places are limited so enrol now at www.cytc.net
Enquiries us@cytc.net
(02) 6248 5057

Participants will play drama games and engage their imaginations by improvising characters and stories.

Your favourite children’s characters and stories will be explored as participants develop their acting, voice and movement skills, using their personal favourites as inspiration for the creation of their own fantastic characters and exciting tales.

This workshop will conclude with a short performance for family & friends.

Places are limited so enrol now at www.cytc.net
Enquiries us@cytc.net
(02) 6248 5057

Your country needs you! Join the Impro Militia - an improvised army of rag tag comic soldiers who are drawn together to save the environment!

The Impro Militia will develop their acting skills and draw on a broad selection of dynamic improvisation exercises to devise an improvised show for public performance. Utilizing only found objects which are readily available, the Impro Militia will go on a perilous journey to solve the world’s environmental crisis and rescue the planet with the help of suggestions and objects from the audience!

This workshop will conclude with an evening public performance in C-Block on Tuesday 9th November @ 7:30pm – all welcome!

Places are limited so enrol now at www.cytc.net
Enquiries us@cytc.net
(02) 6248 5057

Participants will explore Shakespeare’s characters and the language, relationships and interplay that make them memorable.

Heroes and villains will face off in a showdown as the fools cause chaos from the sidelines. This workshop will break through the language barrier as the rhythm, purpose and longevity of Shakespeare’s language is analysed using First Folio texts. Participants will improve their acting skills through in-depth exploration of voice and character development.

This workshop will conclude with a short performance for family & friends.

Places are limited so enrol now at www.cytc.net
Enquiries us@cytc.net
(02) 6248 5057

On the first Tuesday of each month the Actors Ensemble will present a staged reading of a new play by an award winning emerging playwrights from across Australia.

In semester 1, THE SEED presented works by award winning writers David Finnegan (ACT) and David Burton (QLD).

Admission to the Staged Reading is FREE!!

CYT is committed to the development of new work and supporting emerging writers, actors, designers and technicians by providing professional pathways for their development. Come along and share in the excitement of hearing cutting edge contemporary playwriting! Audience feedback is welcome.
For Playwrights:

Semester 2 will bring a further 3 new staged readings and submissions are open now! Playwrights who are keen to have their works presented can submit one or multiple plays to Karla Conway, Artistic Director of CYT.

Plays must be submitted electronically and be accompanied by a brief synopsis, character breakdown and a biography of the playwright including any creative developments/ awards/ productions.

Send submissions to: karla@cytc.net or post to:
The SEED @ CYT
PO Box 127
Civic Square ACT 2608

CYT’s Open House program is for young independent artists seeking to create/ rehearse/develop a theatrical project. Open House invites emerging artists to take theatrical risks and expand their performance horizons through engaging in an artistic residency in our space for a fortnight.

In 2010 CYT will run Open House twice: providing an ACT & an interstate emerging artist with the opportunity to develop new work in our theatre.

Open House 1 recipient, Michael Quincey O'Neill worked extensively on the development of a complex and intriguing new play. With the guidance of 2 mentors, Michael underwent a rigorous playwriting process and emerged with a worked staged reading to present at the end of his Open House.

The selected artist will have:
- rent-free access to a flexible performance space with lighting rig
and sound system for two weeks.
- a stipend to financially support* them for the duration of Open
House (conditions apply)
- the support of the Artistic Director of CYT and/or a mentor
- access to the resources of the company (office, workshop,
technical & theatrical)
- travel reimbursement* for non ACT recipient (*within Australia,
conditions apply)
- accommodation for non ACT recipient at Gorman House Arts
Centre

Contact the Artistic Director for further details and an application form, us@cytc.net or 02 6248 5057

Open House Recipients must be Australian Citizens.

Applications Close: Friday 10th September

“Open House was the perfect testing ground, we failed, we succeeded, we discovered new ideas waiting for us “
- Cathy Petocz 2008 Open House Recipient

“I was terrified and delighted with the result…I had a dream…thanks to Canberra Youth Theatre the dream is coming true.”
- Tobias Manderson-Galvin 2009 Open House Recipient

Actors Ensemble - Actor Training from Professional Artist
(Year Long Course)

The CYT Actors Ensemble is for young people aged 18-25 who are passionate about developing their skills in performance through professional training.

Auditions for the Ensemble are held at the start of each year and those selected commit to training together on a weekly basis developing core skills in acting, movement, voice, improvisation and performance making.

In 2010 the Ensemble will be actively engaged in the development and performance of CYT’s major production, Retrieval, a hybrid art installation performance at the National Library of Australia.
Retrieval will take our audience on a weaving journey deep into the stack of the National Library. It will be an expedition into our collective past. The library is the keeper of our past – it is a maze of the stories of humanity. Stories of the mundane and of great profundity are deposited there hoping one day to be retrieved – to be read – to be heard – to be of use – to make a difference. History repeats itself when stories are not heard and heeded. Retrieval challenges us to look back in order to look forward.

PARTICIPANTS MUST ENROL & COMMIT TO THE ACTORS ENSEMBLE FOR THE WHOLE YEAR. Apply now as places are strictly limited!

Application forms can be obtained by contacting the CYT office - us@cytc.net
or by phone (02) 6248 5057