The 2009 Education Program will be announced in October 2008. For more information about the program please contact Helen Hristofski, Education Manager at hhristofski@sydneytheatre.com.au

Our new look Education website will also be launched in late October 2008, providing rich content specifically designed to support students and teachers.

You can visit our existing Education website here.

We all remember the first time we went to the theatre. Whether you remember quivering with excitement, falling in love with the lead actress or wondering why you had only just discovered this amazing form of storytelling, you remember. It’s probably safe to assume (since you’re visiting our website) that the experience was a profound one.

Profound experiences are exactly what we strive to create for young people via our Education Program. Experiences that will engage imaginations, enrich learning and start a life-long habit of theatre participation and appreciation. In short, we’re wooing the next generation of theatre beasts.

Our Education Program is the most comprehensive commitment made by any state theatre company in Australia. It’s critical to us. And it’s a source of great pride. We create full-scale productions specifically for young people, commission new plays and partner with Australia’s leading theatre-for-young-people companies, to ensure our youngest audiences engage in rich theatrical experiences. We are strengthening our relationship with Zeal Theatre who, after many years of working with Sydney Theatre Company, will join us as Associate Company in 2009.

In 2009 we will also present four new Education productions and a plethora of workshops. The productions will include two new Australian works and, for the first time, The Residents will perform as part of the Education Program. As in previous years, we will open the doors to our Main Stage Season through our Schools Days performances. These performances allow young people to experience the twelve productions in our Main Stage Season through lower priced tickets, and to participate in pre- and post-performance discussions with the creative team and cast. We’re particularly excited to announce our new Young Playwrights’ Residency which will aim to inspire and encourage young people with a flair for playwriting. Ten budding talents from across NSW will be invited to the Company to learn, network, develop their ideas and hopefully be stirred to continue developing their passion. 

Finally, we should say that the exciting work within our Education Program is achieved without the aid of government or corporate support. We thank our generous philanthropic partners and individuals who support us through the STC Foundation. You’re ensuring that we are able to increase access for those students who find it difficult to come to our theatres. And, we hope, ensuring that they will always remember their early experiences of the theatre.