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 3 – 11 July 2026. Tickets will go on sale April 2026.
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
Proudly supported by
