Ensemble Theatre aims to inspire the next generation of storytellers
A new creative hub has been launched to inspire the next generation of storytellers. Ensemble Youth Studio (the studio), founded by Ensemble Theatre, aims to connect young people with the magic of theatre and drama.
Ensemble Theatre education lead Sophie Kelly believes that the skills developed in drama and theatre training ‘are going to be really important for them in the future.’
As ‘the future of theatre lies in younger generations,’ one of Sophie’s current priorities is to work with schools and connect with younger audiences. With a vision to ‘expand our community engagement,’ the studio has teamed up with Loreto Kirribilli to run drama workshops in the school holidays from 6 to 17 July.
For Sophie, part of the magic of these workshops is the opportunity for each student to perform at Ensemble, taking their skills to the stage.
“At the end of the day, theatre is an exchange between the performers and the audience,” says Sophie.
“And so that’s always the final part, that students get an opportunity to perform.”
The workshops will be run by industry professionals and are an opportunity for young people to build up skills in areas such as drama, theatre and performance.
The goal of both the studio and the holiday program is to ‘provide what we would consider gold-standard industry training for young people,’ Sophie says.
Although school enrolments in drama are on the decline, she is still hopeful for the future of the art. Sophie says that ‘the skills you get from (drama and theatre) training are going to be fundamental skills in this sort of AI world that we’re moving into.’
She thinks theatre is ‘the best way to do that’ and to connect with skills such as problem-solving, communication and creative thinking – such skills form ‘part and parcel of any kind of drama training.’ “That’s what I hope that children and young people get out of it, and what I hope their parents start to value as well,” Sophie says.
As to the future of the studio, it will ‘run a whole variety of different programs.’ Sophie says the studio hopes to connect young performers and playwrights with professionals, as well as put on more skill development workshops.
“I really hope that we can start to create a culture that values these skills, as training for young performers, but also as fundamental human communication skills that we all need, that we’re going to desperately need if we want to stay connected to one another and we want to keep living a life as storytellers.”
For bookings and further information, visit ensemble.com.au/youth_studio