April 2017

The Brain comes out again!

The Brain was created as a workshop resource for Byron Youth Services Project U-Turn and Cringe the Binge projects back in 2010 when Byron Youth Theatre created Angie’s Story and Calling The Shots.

It then found a new lease of life going to the Blues Festival! Each year since The Brain has given BYT members the opportunity to go to the Blues accompanied by Lisa and the wonderful Mandy Morris, another local performer. Although many people think the Brain is a giant Easter egg, Lisa and BYT members spread the word on having a great time without getting messy by consuming less alcohol, drinking plenty of water, eating yummy festival food and looking after each other.

Lisa and BYT wish to express their gratitude to Byron Youth Service and Festival organisers, especially Shelley for making it possible!!

Broken

A four minute promo from the public show at Byron Community Centre in November 2016.

After each show we circulate a one page, anonymous survey to all our audience members, requesting feedback and suggestions for future topics to cover. Domestic and family violence featured highly in the surveys and this request was met by BYT cast and Director Lisa Apostolides by the creation of their first, linear play called “Broken”.

Funded by Northern Rivers Community Foundation and a donation from Splendour In the Grass festival, Lisa wrote the play which was then workshopped by BYT cast members and actor Sam Hemphill.

“ I decided to play a lead role of Lily in this production” shares Lisa “ as I didn’t feel it appropriate for the majority of the violence to be directed at a young person. I engaged Sam to play the role of my new partner who has difficulties in dealing with my teenage son, Daniel, played by Seth Freeman, from a previous relationship. Both Lily and Daniel suffer verbal, emotional and physical abuse.

The work shopping and rehearsal period were intense and fruitful in creating an extremely moving and powerful play which highlights the complex problems in such situations and how to access assistance. Other characters of Daniel’s girlfriend and her friends played by Serren Glenn, Tilka Fosmale, Kia Walsey and Brynn Davis-Hay created a fantastic supporting subplot adding to the tension and drama.

The Women’s Resource centre, the Men and Family Centre, Ontrack community program, headspace Lismore, ACON Lismore, local Police and Community housing were all consulted during the development of this play as well as feedback from an online survey.

Performances were held at four local high schools as well as community performances at The Drill Hall, Mullumbimby and Byron Theatre with outstanding response from young people and adults.