‘We’re developing future champions of theatre’

A unique Queensland Theatre Company (QTC) program for young people is sparking young people’s interest in careers in the arts but also building the audiences and champions of the future, thanks to generous philanthropic support.

This story was first published in Inspiring Stories of Giving Vol 2 in August 2024.

The Scene Project started in 2013, with professional artists running programs at eight schools in Brisbane. Eleven years on, students at more than 120 schools, with 60% throughout regional Queensland, are reaping the benefits of the program.

QTC Executive Director Criena Gehrke said Scene, the company’s largest educational offering, encourages drama students to take part in the creative process from planning and writing to rehearsal and presentation.

“Each year more than 6,000 young people engage in drama programs and activities with Queensland Theatre,” Criena said. “The Scene Project is at the heart of our education offerings for young people, designed to build connection, critical and creative thinking, wellbeing and interpersonal skills using the medium of participation in theatre.”

The project, which started as a small metropolitan initiative to engage schools and communities regardless of location, is leading the way nationally, Criena said.

Since 2013, QTC has commissioned a playwright to pen a new work each year. Participating students are then asked to create their own 15-minute performance piece based on the script, in a way that resonates with them and their community. During the creation phase, Queensland Theatre artists visit schools to run workshops supporting students and their educators in crafting their performance.

Clusters of several schools then come together in their local performing arts centre to perform alongside their peers in events called Outcome Days. Students perform and then watch each other’s work before a company of professional artists from Queensland Theatre perform the whole piece, followed by a celebration and forum with all participants.

Criena said generous grants are enabling the initiative to evolve and grow.

“The costs sit outside traditional education and touring funding mechanisms, so philanthropic partnership is critical for regional access and growth,” she said. “While all ways of engaging with the arts are positive, the great thing about The Scene Project is that it is not a competitive environment – instead, it brings young people together for the unique experience and to find their ‘tribe’.

“Peer learning, skill sharing, and community connection is a critical benefit to the participants, particularly those who find like-minded people in an often isolated community. It also builds the  connection to their local performing arts centre, removing any perceived barriers.”

The Tim Fairfax Family Foundation (TFFF) initially provided $1.2 million over five years to prioritise growth and capacity-building in regional areas. Rekindle Foundation has now committed $500,000 over five years.

Criena said the support was incredible.

“We believe that much of the success comes from a shared set of values and a true belief in the importance of theatre and storytelling, especially to young people,” she said.

“Without their generous support we couldn’t have expanded the way that we have – it enables us to keep the program affordable for schools and to take it all over our state. I’m proud to say that Queensland – and QTC – is leading in our engagement with communities and schools.”

While the program can be a stepping stone into a career in the arts for some participants, Criena believes it is also creating the next generation of audiences.

“We’re developing future champions of theatre and showing them that everybody deserves to have access to amazing theatre, not just those in the cities,” she said.

Director and actor James Cook is one of the directors of Rekindle Foundation, which is based in NSW. Rekindle has three key focuses: the environment, affordable community housing and the arts.

“When we launched into philanthropy, we sat down as a family and discussed our values,” he said. “I’ve been involved in the arts since I was a teenager and it was important to me to find something in that space, especially in supporting youth and education in the arts.”

James is keen to develop strong relationships and follow The Scene Project’s progress.

“We’re interested in the discipline but also in how young people can develop skills in connecting, collaborating, teamwork, expressing themselves, and building empathy and resilience, especially the youth from regional areas,” he said.

“Too often theatre and the arts can be inaccessible to people outside metropolitan areas. It can sometimes seem inaccessible to people in metropolitan areas, so anything we can do to help fling open the doors to the arts is really important.”

James said that philanthropy was more important to the arts than it had ever been, given that the area is often being pulled from the education system.  

“I feel people realised the importance of live performance during the pandemic – people really wanted it back when it was taken away,” he said.

Felicity Campbell, 16, from Rockhampton, is an aspiring writer and director. The Year 11 student, who loves everything to do with the arts, was thrilled to have the chance to take part in The Scene Project in 2023. “We were given a script, and our job was to rework then piece it all together again and we had QTC performers talk to us about the project and work through one of the scenes,” she said.

“It opened a whole new world, and it was great to meet students from other parts of Queensland. I really want to do something in the arts when I leave school.”

Felicity’s mother Tess said the program had boosted Felicity’s confidence, and in more than just performing.

“It was incredible to see how they all worked together, listened to each other, and had a real camaraderie.”