Spotlight On: Our Wonderful & Curious Production Assistants, Tahlia and Sienna 
3-minute read // Published by Young Peoples Theatre, April 2025
Written by: Chelsea Willis
Pictured: Tahlia Budden and Sienna Hawes on the set of Disney’s Alice in Wonderland JR. 

For each of our YPT productions, YPT engages students to join the creative team as Production Assistants. This is a role on the creative team, where the students get to work along side the adult members of the creative team to lead the students through the production process. Tahlia Budden and Sienna Hawes are the Production Assistants on Disney’s Alice in Wonderland JR, and they have been exceptional members of the team. From leading fun and effective warm-ups, to helping with singing and chorey and helping backstage, they have been such an important part of the team.

Tahlia and Sienna are both Think Beyond Students at YPT and have both graced our stage many times themselves, which is such valueable knowledge on the team. You will catch them both on stage later in the year in Animal Farm Find out more about their experience on Disney’s Alice in Wonderland JR. below.

Tell us what a Production Assistant is?
Tahlia: Being a Production Assistant means getting a behind the scenes look at how a show is brought to life. I’ve had the chance to help teach choreography, lead warm-ups, and even help come up with choreography. It’s been an amazing opportunity to learn from everyone and how much work and creativity goes into making a show.
Sienna: Productions Assistants help with all sorts of things throughout the production. We’ve helped with choreography (even helping choreograph some dances!), teaching the cast parts of the blocking/choreo, helping backstage, leading warm ups and revision.

What has been most rewarding about being involved in Alice in Wonderland?
Tahlia: The most rewarding part has been watching the production grow from the very beginning. As well as getting to see the cast develop their characters and grow as an ensemble. While also getting to work close with such talented directing team and seeing their ideas come to life.
Sienna: I have absolutely loved being a part of a production team for the first time! I’ve learnt so much about directing and staging productions in a way that engages the audience and cast. The most rewarding part so far has been either teaching the cast dances/leading the revising process or helping backstage and seeing the magic come to life!  

What have you learned from this experience that will help you with your own performance?
Tahlia: This was my first time being a Production Assistant, and I’ve absolutely loved it. I’ve learned so much from everyone involved from the directing team to the cast. By being apart of the audition process and witnessing the cast grow, I’ve been inspired by the commitment and growth of acting throughout the production which i can inspire from for my own performance.
Sienna: I’ve learnt that performing isn’t always about how much talent you have, it can be more about the energy and life you bring to the character, as well as your commitment to the production and your character’s intentions. It was also really beneficial to see the audition process from the other perspective, as you see the director’s put their trust in the role they truly believe you will excel at. 

Alice in Wonderland is such a classic and fun story. Are there any moments people should look out for?
Tahlia: Definitely! The directors have come up with some really creative concepts that will keep the audience engaged in the magical world. They’ve added little details that ranges from the set to characters swapping items throughout the show. So make sure to be on the look out those.
Sienna: Look out for all the objects switching between characters and the hints to Alice’s bedroom through the set pieces! The show is designed for the audience to take their own perspective of Alice’s story.

Why should people come and see Alice in Wonderland?
Tahlia: People should come and see the show because the cast and directing team have poured so much hard work, passion, and creativity into it. It’s a performance full of energy, and imagination, as Alice dives into her world of imagination. Perfect for families and friends to come see.
Sienna: The directors have such a fun take on the story, plus the set is absolutely awesome (we have a slide!). The cast is super talented and have brought so much of their own character, making it so different to other productions of Alice.

Disney’s Alice in Wonderland JR. runs until 24 May at YPT Theatre. Tickets from $25 – book at ypt.org.au

 

Top 5 Musical Theatre Albums as voted by YPT Kids!

2 minute read // Published by Young Peoples Theatre, August 2020

We love Musical Theatre here at YPT! See below for our Top 5 Musical Theatre Albums as voted by YPT students.

1. Hamilton
Winner of 11 Tony awards including Best Musical and Best Score, Hamilton has been an international mega-success and our students have been loving it since Day 1. This revolutionary album is a must listen to for all, whether you like Musical Theatre or not. Hamilton is based on the life of Alexander Hamilton, an American founding father and uses a mix of genres to create a dynamic musical!

2. Come From Away
Come From Away is an incredibly heart-felt musical, about a small town called Gander dealing with the aftermath of the September 11 attacks. Also winner of Best Score at the Tony Awards, this Musical was one of the shows our students saw on our 2019 Performing Arts Trip to the UK. If you haven’t listen to this album, well you’ve been living under a rock… (pun intended)

3. Hadestown
Also winner of Best Score at the Tony’s, Hadestown is the story of the greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice and going to the underworld. The beautiful score captures your attention and as a mostly sung through production, you can listen to majority of the show by listening to the cast recording.

4. Les Miserable
Our kids love a classic! Les Miserable, which is celebrating 45 years as a musical is a favourite of our YPT kids. This completely sung through musical, set in 19th Century France is also a Tony Award Winner for Best Score and an international success.

5. SpongeBob the Musical
This fun family friendly show is often a favourite in Musical Theatre Classes. The 2016 show will have you smiling for days. The interesting part about this show is that each song is written by a different composer and explores many different genres and all 20 of the composers were nominated for Best Score at the Tony Awards. Don’t be a simple sponge, get onto this cast album!

We hope you enjoyed our Top 5 Albums as voted by YPT Kids. Happy Listening!

10 reasons every kid should do Drama!

3-5 minute read // Published by Young Peoples Theatre, July 2020

Drama students and drama teacher know that the theatre is a place of creativity, belonging and fun. Aside from being an activity that we love, drama develops important life skills and strong personal qualities. Whether you’re into Shakespeare or Hamilton, drama classes teach you valuable lessons that extend way beyond the auditorium seating. Here’s 10 reason why every kid should do drama!

1. BEING CONFIDENT
   Would you stand on stage in front of a large group of people and sing, dance or act? I am guessing for most of you it would be no. But for a drama student, absolutely, it’s the best part! Drama gives student’s confidence to shine, it develops them not just as performers but as people and allows them to trust their instincts and believe in themselves.
2. WORKING AS A TEAM
   Or as we call it in the theatre an ‘Ensemble’.  Team work makes the dream work in all areas of life areas of life and the collaborative nature of theatre is no different.
3. RESILIENCE
   Every drama kid has missed out on a role they really want to play. Whether it’s the lead role in a production or the ‘leader’ in a class game, drama students learn to grow, cope with rejection and try again next time.
4. HUMILITY
   And not only did that disappointed kid deal with not getting their dream role, they also happily are cheering on the person who did.
5. COMMUNICATION
   Drama students learn how to get their chosen message to others through verbal and non verbal communication. They have to negotiate in group work, make decisions and problem solve. Sounds hard? Not at all, in Drama it’s part of the fun!
6. CREATIVITY
   Drama keeps your imagination active well past your years of playing tea parties in the backyard.
7. ACCEPTING FEEDBACK
   Every drama class gives students both direct and indirect feedback on our performances. Not only do drama students learn to accept feedback, they learn to apply it. Its’s called taking direction in the theatre, and it is a valuable life lesson.
8. EXPRESSING EMOTIONS
   Drama would be a whole lot less dramatic without emotions. Imagine watching a play where no one expressed any emotion! Boring! Not only do drama students learn about emotions they learn to express them onstage and then talk about it!
9. BREAK FROM SCREEN TIME
   Drama is all about being in the moment, with so much screen time for children, drama is a welcomed and entertaining break and time to play and create!
10. FRIENDSHIPS
    Drama friends are friends for life. Not only drama friends will the share a love for theatre but they will accept and respect each other. Drama creates powerful bonds and that’s why theatre’s are more like a homes. It’s a community. It’s a family. And that’s the real theatre magic.

If you are looking for Drama Classes for your child. Look no further than Young Peoples Theatre. We are not-for-profit community organisation that has been providing high quality and affordable tuition for over 70 years. Enrol or enquire at ypt.org.au/theatreschool