Young Company 2026
Supporting the next generation of performers, designers and production personnel.
What is the Young Company?
The Young Company is a collective of South East Queensland’s most outstanding young artists. This ensemble is made up of students in Years 9–12 who are ready to dive into the professional theatre-making process—working alongside industry professionals to collaborate, design, devise, and command attention in the staging of a full-scale State Theatre Company production in the Diane Cilento Studio at QTC.
The Young Company includes:
- Young Performers who will train as part of a performance ensemble and act in the 2026 Young Company production
- Young Production & Design Personnel who will work alongside mentors to co-design and present the 2026 Young Company production
The young people who make up the QTC Young Company 2026 are those interested in pursuing careers in the performing arts — whether as performers, designers, or technicians. The Young Company is a collective of like-minded and ambitious young creatives who seek to expand their skills and contribute to a positive, inclusive, and collaborative environment. Together, they will create a superb and spectacular production as a team.
What does the Young Company 2026 do?
In 2026, the Young Company will present Matthew Whittet’s School Dance during the June/July school holidays.
Young Performers will work with Director Ben Newth, a choreographer, and other specialized teaching artists to share skills, expand collective knowledge, and build a performance ensemble capable of tackling the complex world of School Dance.
Young Production personnel will collaborate with Director Ben Newth, a series of design mentors, and professional production staff to design, source, install, and operate the imaginative and grand 1980s-inspired design world of School Dance. Roles include lighting design/technician, sound design/technician, set and costume design, and stage management.
Applications have now closed for the 2026 Young Company
About School Dance by Matthew Whittet
Set in ‘1980-something’ three self-confessed nerds edge toward the school disco, only to discover one of them is literally becoming invisible. Filled with big drama, bigger hair and iconic ‘80s vibes, School Dance is a hilarious, heart thumping adventure about standing up, standing out and seeing the friends who truly see you.
School Dance will play in the Diane Cilento Studio at Queensland Theatre Company from 4 – 11 July 2026. Tickets are on sale now.
Contact us
For queries relating to the Young Company 2026 or the season of School Dance, please reach out to our Education & Young People Team youthensemble@queenslandtheatre.com.au
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