Young People's Theatre Newcastle

YPT has a long established Theatre School which offers a structured developmental program to allow children between the ages of eight and eighteen to follow their interests and to develop theatre skills. There is no audition process for entry to the Theatre School and no prior performance experience is required. There are usually two class groups timetabled for each year, eg. Class 3.1 and Class 3.2.  These groups are not graded and they may scheduled at different times.   The number of students enrolled in the Theatre School is limited in order to give all students an opportunity to participate in at least one production each year.

YPT is for all children interested in theatre/drama. Our expectation is that children make a commitment to attend classes and that they do so on a regular basis.  There are no Theatre School classes during school or public holidays.

In deciding to come to Theatre classes, we ask children and parents to consider their other commitments. Families often have to make choices about the activities available for children on Saturday mornings and, when making a decision about joining YPT, please take into account that parents usually have to be available to transport children to classes.

How can I join the Theatre School?

New students are enrolled to fill class vacancies.  Waiting Lists are kept for each class. If classes have a full quota of students and a place is available on the Waiting List, prospective students may complete a Waiting List Form. These forms are available at the Office only- they are not available on the internet nor are they posted, faxed or emailed. Parents are asked to complete the form at the Office. New students are not required to supply evidence of performance ability and there is no entry audition. All new students and those placed on Waiting Lists are provided with a YPT Information Sheet. 

YPT accepts students from Year 3 to Year 12 at school. Students in Year 2 may apply to have their name put on a Waiting List for the following year. Students are placed in Theatre School classes according to their year at school, ie. a Year 4 school student is placed in a Year 4 Theatre School class. Vacancies are filled from the Waiting List in order of placement on the list. Only students enrolled in the Theatre School are eligible to audition for YPT productions.

What do I need to know about the classes?

Most classes are on Saturday morning for 1½ hours, i.e. from 9.00am to 10:30am or from 10:30am to 12:00pm.  Year 10 and above (senior) classes are held on Monday evenings between 6.00pm and 7.30pm. The YPT Theatre School Timetable provides details of current class times and locations. Classes, with approximately 18 students and two tutors, are held in venues in the Hamilton/Broadmeadow area. There are no classes during school holidays or on public holidays. Click here to view 2012 Term Dates.

Regular attendance is required to maintain a place in class. Students must be punctual in arriving at classes as late entry is disruptive to the class. Attendance at less than 75% of classes could result in a student’s place not being available in the following semester. Leave of absence may be considered for family holidays and prolonged illness but not for weekly commitments such as sport. Parents are asked to contact the YPT Office (Ph: 4961 5345) to notify of a planned absence or to explain an unplanned absence.

What are the Theatre School Fees?

Fees are set at the YPT Annual General Meeting each year. Fees are paid on a per semester basis – a semester being two school terms.

There are no other costs attached to either the Theatre School or to involvement in productions.

What are student rights and responsibilities?

Students have a right to be:

• treated with courtesy & respect
• presented with a sequential, challenging curriculum that is appropriate at their age, stage of development and drama skill level and understanding
• given clear instructions regarding expectations for activities and how they are meaningful for their drama development
• given accurate feedback in the form of positive critical analysis of their work as soon as possible after completing a task
• provided with a safe environment at all times

Students have responsibility for:

• treating other students and tutors with courtesy and respect
• participating conscientiously in class activities and doing their best to achieve at the highest possible level
• listening to explanations and instructions and asking questions if they don’t understand
• providing feedback about others’ work based on the content of the lesson; accepting criticism from tutors and classmates and applying the suggestions of tutors and other students in order to improve their work
• following safety instructions and not behaving in an unsafe way

What should I wear to class?

Students need to wear comfortable clothing that they can move in freely without embarrassment. T-shirts, shorts, leggings, bike pants, trackpants, etc. are appropriate. Footwear should be soft and flexible. Midriff tops, see-through fabrics, tight clothing and excessive jewellery are not suitable. High heeled, strappy or platform shoes and thongs are not suitable and, in some situations, may be a safety hazard.

What do parents need to know about classes?

Parents are requested to drop their child not more than 10 minutes before classes are due to start and to pick them up within 10 minutes of finishing time. With the exception of specially organised Demonstration Days, parents are not permitted to observe classes. This policy is to ensure that students are allowed to develop their skills without the pressure of being observed by adults.

Parents should check that a tutor is in attendance before leaving their child at the class venue. If there are no cars or people about, please wait with your child to see what is happening. Past experience has demonstrated that parents sometimes mistakenly bring children to class at the beginning of the school holidays or on a public holiday when classes are not scheduled!

What do parents need to know about supervision of students between classes and rehearsals/performances?

Students participating in morning classes may also be involved in afternoon rehearsals and/or afternoon and evening performances. Parents are responsible for transporting students between venues, as necessary. Some older students, cast and crew walk to Beaumont Street after class to have lunch before an afternoon performance or to have a meal between afternoon and evening performances.

The Theatre is closed between the afternoon and evening performances.  Students are not permitted to stay at the Theatre between shows – there is no supervision of students by YPT adult members once the adults and students have signed out after the afternoon performance. Parents are responsible for ensuring that suitable arrangements are in place for their children during this period.  The Theatre is not available to shelter from bad weather or seek any assistance for about 2 hours between afternoon and evening performances.

How do I maintain my place in class once I am enrolled?

Once a student is enrolled, they maintain their place in class for so long as they conform to Theatre School rules regarding attendance and behavior.  Students complete re-enrolment forms, to confirm their interest in remaining in class, and pay fees twice a year, ie. at the start of each semester.

How do I re-enrol?

YPT Theatre School works on a semester basis.  Current YPT students re-enrol twice a year, ie. at the beginning of school term 1 and 3.  Re-enrolment Forms are distributed by tutors in Theatre School classes towards the end of the Terms 2 and 4. The form and the fees must be returned by the required date prior to the start of the following semester.  If students decide not to return for the following semester, they are asked to inform the tutor before the end of the current semester.  This allows us to make an offer to a student on a Waiting List.

What is Associate Membership?

Senior students who have attended Theatre School classes for the previous two years may apply for Associate Membership when they are in Years 11/12.  Applications for Associate Membership are lodged with the Principal of the Theatre School and approval is at the Principal’s discretion.  Associate Members are eligible to audition for YPT productions.