Stage School Australia
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| Stage School Australia | |
|---|---|
| Information | |
| Other names | Young Australian Broadway Chorus (YABC) Australian Boys Dance Academy (ABDA) |
| Former names | Victorian Youth Theatre (VYT) Children's Performing Company of Australia |
| Established | 1984 |
| Faculty | 200+ |
| Website | stageschool |
Stage School Australia is a performing arts training organisation for young people founded in 1984.[1] Based in Melbourne and Brisbane, its performing arm is known as the Young Australian Broadway Chorus.[1][2] The school also operates the Australian Boys Dance Academy.[3] Classes are offered for children as young as 4 years of age, up to age 18.[1]
History
[edit]| Type | Theatre group |
|---|---|
| Location | |
| Website | stageschool |
Established in 1984 in Melbourne, the group was known as the Victorian Youth Theatre (VYT) for many years.[1] It later became known as the Children's Performing Company of Australia.[1] It has operated as Stage School Australia since 2014.[1]
In 1999, the school's performing ensembles became known as the Young Australian Broadway Chorus (YABC).[1] Recognised by The Age as "Melbourne's leading musical-theatre training organisation", the YABC offers classes in singing, dancing, and acting, and stages several shows a year.[4][2][5] Many YABC alumni have gone on to pursue professional careers.[5]
In response to strong interest from the community, the school opened the Australian Boys Dance Academy (ABDA) in 2014.[1][2][3] In the early years, its motto was "No tutus. No tights. We dance in pants."[3] The ABDA offers classes in hip-hop, jazz, and tap dance.[6]
In 2022, Stage School Australia expanded to Brisbane.[7] According to the school, as of 2025, it operates across 30 venues across Melbourne and Brisbane, with more than 200 teachers and over 5,800 students.[1] The organisation also hires out its stage sets, props, and costumes for external shows.[8]
As of 2025, the artistic director is Robert Coates, who started working for Stage School in 1995, and has directed most major YABC productions.[2][9][4]
Productions
[edit]Stage School Australia students perform at least twice a year.[1] The Young Australian Broadway Chorus students perform in professionally staged productions, and can audition for school holiday productions and tours.[5]
In 2010, the Young Australian Broadway Chorus performed Pure Imagination at the National Theatre in St Kilda, Melbourne.[10] The show featured musical theatre classic songs from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, Oliver!, Guys and Dolls, and Wicked.[10]
In 2011, YABC acquired the rights to stage the Broadway musical Spring Awakening.[4] A cast with 24 members, all between the ages of 16 and 18, performed the full 2-hour musical at the National Theatre in St. Kilda, with signed permission from their parents.[4]
In 2016, a cast of 74 performers from YABC appeared in the school's production of Disney's Beauty and the Beast at the University of Melbourne Union Theatre.[11]
Stage School Australia's first production in Brisbane was The Wizard of Oz at the Draney Theatre, Ashgrove in 2024.[12][7] In April 2025, it is staging the musical Seussical, also at the Draney Theatre.[13][7] A review in The Scoop called it "a joyful, high-energy celebration of imagination".[13]
Tours
[edit]Since 1996, Stage School Australia has conducted tours in Australia and internationally to countries including France, Germany, Italy, Singapore, the United Kingdom, and the United States.[1]
In 1999, 15 performers from the Victorian Youth Theatre went on a three-week tour in the United States, with performances at venues including Disneyworld in Florida and the Lincoln Center in New York.[14]
In 2010, 40 performers from the YABC performed at the Adelaide Fringe festival.[15] A review in The Advertiser called their Broadway Junior Collection musical "fabulous", presenting "a torrent of foot-tapping big numbers, some good solo spots to showcase rising star material, some spirited dance routines and a bit of a story".[15]
Notable alumni
[edit]- Deniz Akdeniz was discovered while performing with the Victorian Youth Theatre and was offered a role in the Disney Channel's As the Bell Rings.[16]
- Andrew Lees
- Rhiannon Fish
- James Frecheville
- Hannah Greenwood
- Tessa James
- Reuben Liversidge
- Nikolai Nikolaeff
- Emilio Ramos
- Chris Scalzo
- Caitlin Stasey
- Maria Thattil[17]
- Samantha Tolj
- Alex Tsitsopoulos
- Matthew Werkmeister
- James Majoos
Sources
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "About Us". Stage School Australia. 7 November 2023. Retrieved 19 April 2025.
- ^ a b c d Lambert, Catherine (18 January 2016). "YOUTH THEATRE FAR FROM CHILD'S PLAY". Herald Sun. ProQuest 1757525733. Retrieved 19 April 2025 – via ProQuest.
- ^ a b c "Guys, leave your tutu at the door". Bayside Leader. 23 February 2016. ProQuest 1767120726. Retrieved 19 April 2025 – via ProQuest.
- ^ a b c d Usher, Robin (28 January 2011). "Rude awakenings". The Age. Melbourne. Retrieved 20 April 2025 – via ProQuest.
- ^ a b c "Young Australian Broadway Chorus". Stage School Australia. Retrieved 20 April 2025.
- ^ "Australian Boys Dance Academy – Because Boys Can Dance, Too". Stage School Australia. Retrieved 20 April 2025.
- ^ a b c "Hats off to young stars in Seussical". The Courier-Mail. 16 April 2025. ProQuest 3190404890. Retrieved 19 April 2025 – via ProQuest.
- ^ "Taking It To The Next Stage". Stage Whispers Magazine. 5 April 2020. p. 32. Retrieved 19 April 2025.
- ^ "Key Personnel". Stage School Australia. 7 November 2023. Retrieved 19 April 2025.
- ^ a b Poljo, Nadja (14 June 2010). "A stage in his career". Bayside Leader. Retrieved 20 April 2025 – via ProQuest.
- ^ Lambert, Catherine (6 July 2016). "A BUMPER CAST OF BEASTLY BEAUTIES". Herald Sun. Melbourne, Victoria. Retrieved 20 April 2025 – via ProQuest.
- ^ "Is the next Dorothy in Brisbane?". The Courier-Mail. 5 July 2024. ProQuest 3075766461. Retrieved 19 April 2025 – via ProQuest.
- ^ a b Skubala, Sarah (16 April 2025). "Review: Seussical Bursts To Life In A Colourful Spectacular". The Scoop. Retrieved 19 April 2025.
- ^ Nicholson, David (10 October 1999). "ARTS SEASON IS BURSTING AT THE SEAMS". Daily Press. Newport News, Virginia. ProQuest 343024240. Retrieved 19 April 2025 – via ProQuest.
- ^ a b Harris, Samela (11 March 2010). "FRONT ROW FRINGE, FESTIVAL, WOMAD NEWS AND REVIEWS Once on this Island". The Advertiser. Adelaide. Retrieved 20 April 2025 – via ProQuest.
- ^ "Bells ringing for boys". Herald Sun. 14 July 2008. ProQuest 361149844. Retrieved 19 April 2025 – via ProQuest.
- ^ Epstein, Jackie (6 December 2023). "Ex-Miss Universe makes shock career change in 'full circle' moment". Herald Sun (Online). ProQuest 2899256716. Retrieved 19 April 2025 – via ProQuest.