News
This Girl Laughs, This Girl Cries, This Girl Does Nothing
BYRON YOUTH THEATRE TEENS EMBRACE DIVERSITY
Byron Youth Theatre’s, First BYT ensemble aged 13 – 17 years is bringing “This Girl Laughs, This Girl Cries and This Girl Does Nothing” by Finegan Kruckemeyer to the stage this month at the newly renovated Drill Hall Theatre.
This modern day fairy tale written by one of Australia’s esteemed playwrights for young audiences, revolves around three young sisters who are left in a forest by their woodcutter father and forced to find their own way in the world. From a classical beginning, three resolutions are made — one sister walks one way to find purpose, one the other to find adventure, and the third stays right where she is to create a home. The three sisters traverse the globe in their unique ways to find themselves and heal.
The play appeals to audiences of all ages, blending imaginative storytelling with poignant messages that children can appreciate and adults can delight in. Drawing inspiration from classic stories with a contemporary twist, First BYT aim is to captivate audiences across the Shire, both young and old.
Sally Davis has been facilitating this ensemble since the beginning of the year and responded to their enthusiastic request to create a production that embraces physical theatre, comedy, and social inclusion.
“This experience is giving the teenagers a sense of belonging, confidence and is opening their minds to the idea that theatre and the arts can be a potential career. Teenagers need risks and challenges and performing, designing and staging a show meets those needs and offers them a deep sense of fulfillment and pride to stage their work in front of their local community, peers and parents” shares Sally.
The teenagers have been involved in the entire production from set design, direction, staging, costume creation and prop design and it has demanded extra rehearsal time apart from their weekly class held on a Wednesday 4.45-6pm at the Drill Hall.
“Being a part of this awesome ensemble and doing this play has been so rewarding. I’ve been XYZ”
There are only 2 performances on WEDNESDAY 25TH at the Drill Hall Theatre, so bring the kids along to experience this dynamic production and support local youth theatre. Tickets available from
Special Screening of Our Home Holiday Town
OUR HOME HOLIDAY TOWN
Age 12+
YAC, 1 Gilmore Crescent, Byron Bay
Thursday September 29th : 7.30pm
Tickets: $25
All proceeds go towards future youth productions
https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/our-home-holiday-town-film-tickets-411645772587
Byron Youth Theatre (BYT) thought provoking, poignant social action theatrical production called Our Home Holiday Town which had to end its production last December early due to a COVID scare is back!
Fortunately the Company’s performance was filmed with eight cameras crewed by SAE Creative Media Institute students Lee Collier, Phoenix and Jovian Batchelor supervised by experienced local filmmaker SAE Animation Lecturer, Nigel Haslam. This has enabled BYT to hold a special screening in Byron for those who missed out in 2021.
“ It was devastating when we had to close the production early last December” shared Director Lisa Apostolides, “ We’d spent a lot of funding on bringing in a substantial lighting rig, creating a large main set and reorganising the venue space for the show and obviously many many hours of rehearsing!”
Feedback from community members, who did get to see the first two performances was outstanding! Local lawyer and Councillor Mark Swivel was one of the lucky ones!
‘Super engaging, fun treatment of a tough topic. Our kids will cop the worst of our housing crisis and policy fails. Bravo Byron Youth Theatre!’
This production was the result of a collaborative research project between BYT and the Centre for Children and Young People at Southern Cross University (SCU). Director of BYT, Lisa Apostolides and the cast members worked closely with Dr. Antonia Canosa, Dr. Catherine Simmons and Dr. Peter Cook to uncover tourism-related issues in the Byron Shire and the mental health concerns for young people. Trained as co-researchers during a series of workshops, cast members conducted interviews and surveys with their peers and community members to understand the effect of the impact.
The research revealed young people care deeply about their community, particularly when witnessing the negative impacts of tourism activity, including littering, anti-social behaviours, housing affordability, homelessness, and disrespect for Aboriginal sacred sites.
“It’s been an absolute privilege to work with Lisa and the cast at BYT. I am delighted that the screening is going ahead as my colleagues and I were among those who had booked last year and were extremely eager to see the finished result. This was an empowering experience for the young people who want to be actively involved in lobbying for more socially and environmentally just forms of tourism in their community” said Dr Canosa.
The project received funding from Regional Arts NSW ( CASP), Northern Rivers Community Foundation , Southern Cross University and sponsorship from The Regent Cinema , Mullum Hire ,Byron4kids, local psychologist Peter Chown, Liz Terrancini and Christina Gobet-Freeman and supported by Byron Youth Service, resulting in ä play that is raw, dynamic, engaging and critical for our times.
The special screening will be held at Byron Youth Service’s ( BYS) Youth Activity Centre (YAC) in the heart of Byron.
“It is great for The YAC to be able to host BYT’s film of this powerful production and support the poignant and meaningful work that they are presenting. I’m constantly impressed with the talent and creativity among young people in our community. It’s very important and exciting work.” comments Christian Tancred, Manager of BYS.
There will also be information about the Byron Way Pledge which was inspired by the production which seeks to promote responsible tourism.
CLASSES FOR 2024
2024 : STARTING TERM 4 ABYT
VENUE: BYRON COMMUNITY CABIN, CARLYLE STREET, BYRON BAY
CONTACT: Lisa Apostolides : byronyouththeatre2481@gmail.com
Advanced BYT (ABYT) is for young people aged 16-24 yrs. It is preferrend that you have had some experience, either attended Drama classes in school or an out of school Drama/Theatre class previously.
MONDAYS 4.30-7.30pm, & SUNDAYS 4-7pm when close to performances.
Fee payment $175 per term ( 16-17 yrs) Fee payment $150 per term (18-24yrs)
** Registered for Creative Kids Vouchers** Anyone attending more than one BYT class can apply for discount
Auditions for Advanced BYT
Preparation:You will need to rehearse and perform a 2-3 minute monologue and a second piece from the list below:
Play a musical instrument
Perform a dance sequence
Perform a song
Deliver a speech which you have written
Perform a slam poem
Present a portfolio of original graphic design
Present a portfolio of lighting design
2024 : 1ST BYT BYRON BAY
VENUE: BYRON COMMUNITY CABIN, CARLYLE STREET, BYRON BAY
CONTACT: Sally Davis : buttercupbonanza@gmail.com
Drama/ Theatre classes for 12-16 yr olds. 1st BYT classes explore all aspects of Drama and Theatre and leads towards a range of performances, sometimes with audiences!! There is no pressure to perform for those who just enjoy participatng in class
TUESDAYS 4.30-6pm
Fee payment: $175 for 9 week term
** Registered for Creative Kids Vouchers
2024 : 1ST BYT MULLUMBIMBY
VENUE: DRILL HALL THEATRE, MULLUMBIMBY
CONTACT: Sally Davis :buttercupbonanza@gmail.com
Drama/ Theatre classes for 12-16 yr olds. 1st BYT classes explore all aspects of Drama and Theatre and leads towards a range of performances, sometimes with audiences!! There is no pressure to perform for those who just enjoy participating in class
WEDNESDAYS 4.35-6pm
Fee payment: $175 for 9 week term
** Registered for Creative Kids Vouchers
2025 : STARTING TERM 1 FEBRUARY
TRY BYT VENUE: UNITING CHURCH HALL, DALLEY STREET, MULLUMBIMBY
CONTACT: Adrienne Lester : connect@umbrellatp.com.au
Drama/ Theatre classes for 8-11 yr olds. TRY BYT classes are an introduction to drama and theatre. Classes focus on improvisation skills, characterisation, team building, langauge skills, and basic playbuilding. We offer performance opportunities however there is no pressure to perform for those who just enjoy participating in class.
WEDNESDAYS 3.30-4.30PM
Fee payment: $175 for 9 week term
Registered for Creative Kids Vouchers
BYT wins Mental Health Award
Byron Youth Theatre (BYT) were thrilled to be up in lights for their contribution to youth mental health when they won the Way Ahead, Mental Health Association of NSW, Media and The Arts award for several of their productions including Mind Made Me.
‘Being recognised by the Mental Health Association of NSW is a big deal for a small regional theatre company,’ said BYT director Lisa Apostolides.
‘All of our productions have a mental health aspect and we’ve known for a long time the positive effects it has had on youth and community audiences from our feedback forms but this is fantastic.’
WayAhead is a not-for-profit organisation that has been dedicated to promoting mental health and wellbeing for over 80 years. Out of the eight categories the Media and The Arts recognises individuals or organisations who have created thoughtful, informative and responsibly reported media and/or artistic projects relating to mental health illness.
Sahaj Blatt is one of the original cast members of Mind Made Me and is now back working with the group on their latest’s production.
‘BYT was a large part of adolescent life, It was not only fun but I learnt a lot about the different issues we covered,’ Sahaj told The Echo.
‘We performed [Mind Made Me] to well over 1,000 young people, at special events, and at an international conference. It means a lot to us to have a high profile organisation recognising what we do and I hope it gets our work to more audiences.’
This excitement was reflected by former theatre member Serren Glen who told The Echo that ‘This award is amazing and will hopefully open up new funding for the Company. BYT is like the best well intentioned family, Lisa cares very deeply for us all. Being in BYT helped me with my own mental health issues when I was younger and I love that it empowers so many young people through our performances and workshops.’
Established in 2010 and working with young people aged between 16 and 25, BYT have produced thirteen educationally based, youth governed productions (performances and workshops) on issues relating to binge drinking, drink driving, compassionate connections between generations, mental health (anxiety, depression, body image, non suicidal self harm), adolescent sexual health, illicit drug use, LGBTIAQ+youth, domestic and family violence, bullying connected to youth suicide, racism and prejudice and upstander/anti-bullying and issues of abuse.
Lisa told The Echo that receiving the award ‘will certainly help us with future funding opportunities as well as connecting us with more state, national and international organisations to further the impact of our work.’
You can listen to a interview about the award on 22nd October 2020
https://www.facebook.com/events/933609707168317/
BYT acknowledged twice in NSW Parliament!
Mind Made Me created by Byron Youth Theatre in 2014 and performed every year since has been acknowledged by two NSW Ministers in Legislative Assembly in 2018 and 2019. The Hon. Ben Franklin MLC recognised BYT’s performance as part of Mental Health Month event in Lismore in 2018 and Tamara Smith, the Member for Ballina in the Legislative Assembly of the NSW Parliament spoke of the achievements of BYT and the performance at the 20th International Mental Health international conference held in Gold Coast August 2019. Both commended BYT on their outstanding contributions to the lives of young people and community of North Coast NSW.
Under Your Thumb
New production coming to schools and community in November.
This production has been funded by CASP Regional Arts NSW and Northern Rivers Community Foundation supported by Byron Youth Service, Byron Bay Community Association, Arts Northern Rivers, Brunswick Picture House, headspace and the Women’s Resource Service in Mullumbimby.
Exploring issues of abuse in social and intimate relationships, Under Your Thumb combines dance, dramatic scenes, live music, slam poetry and dark comedy to take the audience on a journey through a series of bold, thought provoking vignettes.
After touring the local High Schools, BYT will stage a public performance of Under Your Thumb at the Brunswick Picture House on Thursday 28th November starting at 6pm where food and drinks will be on sale.
The production contains issues and language that some may find triggering. It is recommended for age 15+
Tickets available on the door or online at https://brunswickpicturehouse.com/
For more information contact Lisa Apostolides via email byronyouththeatre2481@gmail.com
BIG THANK YOU
BYT wish to express their deep gratitude and thanks to Rotary Byron Bay for their funding donation which allowed us to create a new Forum Theatre piece called “Speak Out” which empowers young people to make a stand against bullying and re-launch our Mind Made Me performance. Both productions were taken to schools earlier this year.
Gone Tomorrow
Funded by Northern Rivers Community Foundation, a wonderful donation from Cunning Stunts and the support of the Drill Hall Theatre this incredibly powerful play focuses on pressures that young people often face which can lead to suicidal ideation.
Byron Youth Theatre cast members and Director Lisa Apostolides connected with headspace Lismore, Stand by response service, Run it Past Me, psychologist Peter Chown, Mindframe, Beyond Blue and Welfare Staff at each of our local high schools.
The video below is the full show, performed at the Drill Hall Theatre, Mullumbimby on 9th and 10th December 2017.
Poster Art work by kind permission of Pablo González-Trejo
https://www.pablogt.com/
Win a Ticket, Save a Life
Christmas is supposed to be a time of joy and happiness, but for many it’s the most difficult time of the year. Those experiencing mental illness can often find this time of year harder to bear.
BYT’s production about youth suicide prevention, Gone Tomorrow, highlights the importance of watching out for such signs in our family and friends and assisting them to get the help and support they may need.
We are offering ONE FREE TICKET TO EACH PERFORMANCE to the first people who contact Lisa by email : byronyouththeatre2481@gmail.com, subject: Win a ticket, Save a life.
Performances will be held at The Drill Hall Theatre, Mullumbimby, NSW on SATURDAY 9TH DECEMBER at 2pm and 6pm and SUNDAY 10TH DECEMBER 6pm.
Guest speakers Rose Hogan from StandBy support after suicide service (Saturday 2pm), Michelle Walter, trauma counsellor (Saturday 6pm) and local psychologist Peter Chown (Sunday 6pm) will give a brief talk and Q&A after each performance. Information about local services will be available.
We encourage all parents with teenage children aged 15+ to attend as well as community members as youth suicide prevention is a key concern for all. BYT are very grateful to Northern Rivers Community Foundation for funding this project as well as a Cunning Stunts donation. The production has been supported by Byron Youth Service, headspace, StandBy support after suicide, WayAhead, Mental Health Association of NSW and local school counsellors.
For more information checkout our Facebook Event page
Art work image: Pablo González-Trejo, Brent, 39 x 31 inches, 100 x 80 cm, 2008, Charcoal and Acrylic on Canvas
BYT go live on the internet!
This was our first public performance of the P.A.S.H show. (Positive Adolescent Sexual Health), at the Byron Community Centre Theatre.
