Growing up with NYTC
Growing Up, at Carriageworks, August 31-September 5, 2010. Tickets: $32.00, artist discount: $26. Lots more information about shows and how to get involved at: www.nytc.com.au
LINDSAY FARRIS is the visionary driving force behind the new-born National Youth Theatre Company (NYTC). It’s a start-up theatre company of emerging young artists from all backgrounds, including indigenous communities and rural and regional NSW. Open to 15-25-year-olds, NYTC aims to nurture exceptional talent through industry exposure, mentorships and training with experienced and skilled arts practitioners from across the creative range.
The first crop of 24 actors have previously come together for a series of hands-on workshops, led by a committed and skilled team of slightly older (more emerged) artists. And now, this exciting new company will perform their first show – a collection of playlets that riff on the theme “Growing Up”.
The stories were dreamed up by the actors in the workshops then presented to a team of playwrights. The writers – the crème de la crème of Australian up and coming and already arrived stage writing – have developed them into a dynamic series of individual narratives that culminate, says artistic director Lindsay Farris, in “an intelligent, brooding and thrilling theatrical event.”
The likely quality of the work and expectation is evident in the writers in this line-up, in A-Z order: Van Badham, Alex Broun, Jason Childs, Lindsay Farris, Jono Gavin, Virginia Gay, Ned Manning, James Millar, Kirby Medway, Kate Mulvany, Lachlan Philpott, Mary Rachel-Brown, Rebekah Smith, Georgina Symes and Lucie Stevens.
Farris says of NYTC: “Australian youth need to be given every possible chance to succeed, both as students and artists, to go on and make their mark in this creative, competitive, and rewarding industry.” Farris is an admired actor in his own right; less well known is his commitment as a teacher and mentor to young people through his work at Newtown High School of the Performing Arts and as a theatre lecturer at schools nationally. He’s also taken part in the NSW State Drama Camp, NSW Riverina School’s Drama Camp, NIDA Young Actors Studio, NSW State Drama Company and the NSW State Drama Ensemble. He also lectures regularly at schools and community centres on film, theatre, acting, and drama in education.
The NYTC story, says Farris, “started in regional Australia, from teaching in the outback for about six years. In trying to develop a platform for those guys to have access to the industry. Something that they could look to for mentorship, guidance, work, anything arts related really. But practical things, not just ideas and talk.
”The metro company came from collaborating with young actors in separate institutions over a few years, and just formalising the whole thing. We did a call out for actors, and had about 120 applications from all over – from Lismore to Wagga Wagga – then we pulled it together and started producing our first three shows in three months.”
Ambition and innovation took over, as Farris explains: “Then I kinda got excited by the idea of only producing new Australian works, so we contacted about 16 really great writers, who all said 'Yes!' It was important to try and investigate a whole bunch of ideas I'd been working with for a number of years, and just try them out.”
And so NYTC kicks off a thrilling new ride for NSW youth with Growing Up. Because, as Farris realised, ”I come across many young artists who don’t know where to find the guidance they need to nurture their talent. They need practical opportunities that support them in achieving their immediate and long-term artistic goals. National Youth Theatre Company aims to foster the creativity of Australian youth in a supportive, challenging environment, to assist in the creative growth of Australia’s next generation.”
So, better get you on over to Carriageworks for a night of future talent spotting and some new writing to savour.
