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Under Your Thumb
“Wouldn’t life be easy if it was all just black and white, but it’s not , there’s so much grey, isn’t there? Where we can get lost, confused, stumble down the wrong alley, take a wrong turn and end up abusing each other. Why can’t we control ourselves? Are we capable of change?”
This opening speech of Under Your Thumb sets the stage for a swath of though provoking vignettes depicting issues of abuse experienced by young people. Whether it be physical, sexual, psychological, emotional or spiritual, the impact it has on an individual’s life is long lasting which in turn affects our society. Funded by Country Arts Support Program Regional Arts NSW , Northern Rivers Community Foundation and supported by Brunswick Picture House, Under Your Thumb was yet another youth audience directed choice for BYT . During the research and development phase representatives from the headspace Tweed Heads and Women’s Resource Service, Mullumbimby, assisted with consultations and an informative training session. BYT combined this with a survey, interviews, online information from websites such as Youth Action and Reach Out.com and personal experiences to create this original production.
After a successful tour of local High schools with many audience members rating it as the “Best ever!” production, BYT delivered a public performance at the Brunswick Picture House. Check out the promo video below!
The Company wish to acknowledge the sourced work by Mila Cuda and Jessica Romoff for their slam poem “Exes”, Emmeline May for Consent and Tea and Jamie Varon for “This is how we date now” used in Under Your Thumb. They wish to thank Charlie Gill, Lighting Design and light and sound operator, Myla Yeomans, Graphic designer, and previous BYT member Charlotte Dodds for choreography. Mike and Marion Russo for props and costume items and the many friends, supports and BYT family members who helped make it happen!
Youth Health Conference 2018
“Owning Future Change” is the premiere Australian interdisciplinary conference for young people, researchers, clinicians, health workers and educators who work to improve, promote and advocate for the health and wellbeing of young people in Australia and beyond.
This year’s conference explored Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people’s health, diversity and health, and sexuality education and sexual health as its major themes.
Each of these areas bring challenges that require understanding the evidence, having respectful conversations and building a strong advocacy platform in order to bring about equity and improved health and wellbeing for many of our young people today. Youth participation was integral to planning, programming and delivery.
This Conference motivated, educated and showcased research, innovative programs and practical resources via an extensive and comprehensive program including keynotes, proffered paper and poster sessions, workshops and networking and a performance by Byron Youth Theatre.
This year the Australian Association for Adolescent Health partnered with the Australian & New Zealand Mental Health Association to deliver the 2018 Youth Health Conference.
#OwningFutureChange focused on the responsibility we all have to finding solutions to health inequities between young people and the general population, and between different populations of young people themselves. Whether at local, state or national levels or globally, we all play a role to bring about change, now and in the future.
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
Australian Association of Adolescent Health Conference
Hear what folks said about the P.A.S.H show on the Gold Coast in November 2018
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.
In My Skin
In My Skin, which explores issues of racism and prejudice was created in response to youth and community audiences requests after our previous productions Here Today and Gone Tomorrow. It’s a hot topic not only in Australia but world wide with increase awareness of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander issues, asylum seekers, refugees and right wing groups and organisations inciting white supremacy.
In My Skin was funded by Country Arts Support Program Regional Arts NSW with financially support by Byron Council and a wonderful donation from Rotary Byron Bay. BYT wish to express our deep gratitude to these organisations as well as Byron Theatre, Drill Hall Theatre Company and Byron Youth Service.
The production incorporated 3D graphic projections interspersed between stylised dramatic scenes to transport the audience into a new future World where no culture or practices exists.
The Company also used song and choreographed dance to create a powerful, poignant production which raised many questions and hopefully galvanised audiences to take more action to create a more harmonious society.
In My Skin Vox Pops – Tony Barry
Tony attended the Drill Hall Theatre performance inciting a standing ovation!!
First BYT
FIRST BYT is a brand new class for 12-14 year olds which commenced in 2019!!
For information about using your Creative Kids Voucher for classes please visit the ABOUT page on this website
.https://www.byronyouththeatre.com/about/
Supported by Byron Community Centre, the group meet on a TUESDAYS at The Byron Community Cabin in Carlyle street, Byron Bay from 4.30-5.45pm.
This drama and theatre course develops and builds on performance technique, acting, vocal and improvisation skills for stage and screen. Through a range of extended improvisation exercises, script work, monologues, duologues, voice and movement exercises young people will devise a performance for primary aged children. Opportunities to perform in the Children’s section of local festivals will be explored as well as local community events.
The classes also improve self confidence, language and communication skills, empathy, and imagination.
There are 9 sessions each term and cost is $150.
Please email or call Lisa for more details
byronyouththeatre2481@gmail.com
0403023693
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Byron Youth Theatre classes for 12-14 year age group provides
a safe and creative environment for young people:
- To have fun while acquiring new skills
- To further develop improvisation, role playing, acting, movement, voice skills
- To further develop stage and performance awareness
- To work cooperatively with other class members
- To devise complex role plays, improvisations and short scenes
- To develop language, communication, listening and concentration skills
- To develop self confidence and experience empowerment
- To develop social and leadership skills
- To develop physical development and emotional intelligence
- To recognise the importance of using your imagination creatively
- To understand the world around them
- To further develop empathy and compassion for others, all living beings and our world
- To create a play of social significance to present to other young people, family and friends.
TERM OUTLINES
Term 1
Games, exercises and activities will be used in each session to meet the learning outcomes listed above. There will be specific themes/topics chosen by the class members which will provide a focus for sessions. These will be explored with improvised scene work. Key focus : Improvisation, theatre sports, co-operation and storytelling
Term 2:
Games, exercises and activities will be used in each session to meet the learning outcomes listed above. Introduction or development of short scripted scenes in groups and monologues Key Focus: characerisation, stage awareness, performance skills
Term 3:
Games, exercises and activities will be used in each session to meet the learning outcomes listed above. Exploring issues : nominated by class members deeper exploration through drama and theatre structures of poignant issues E.g high school, changing bodies, device use, bullying. The class will be introduced to a variety of dramatic styles that will enhance their practice. Eg. use of mask, slam poetry in performance, physical theatre technique Key Focus: use of imagination, use of personal experience and external stimulus to create dramatic presentations
Term 4
Games, exercises and activities will be used in each session to meet the learning outcomes listed above. Small group development of extended scene/play. Class members will be facilitated to develop a short play based on a chosen theme or external stimulus, eg/ poem, picture, article, in small groups. This will involve in depth characterisation, use of costumes, props and set items.
Key Focus: characterisation, team building, roles of responsibilities, acting and performance skills
Variations of these will occur in the second year often with class members joining at 12 and remaining until 14. Larger productions will be undertaken if there are enough class members who have developed the required skills during the first year.
