Launched in January 2010, Young Bards is a series of creative workshops and performance opportunities for young people aged 9 to 18 years. These programmes, productions and classes aim to meet the demands of students, teachers and actors in our community, ranging from an introduction to acting and Shakespeare and week long holiday programmes to intensive workshops for VCE students requiring specific support to meet their goals.

With the new Young Bards programme the Australian Shakespeare Company extends its vision of exciting, contemporary theatre produced the way Shakespeare intended – unshackled from traditional constraints, accessible and above all entertaining for everyone.

“Your performance of A Midsummer Night’s Dream completely revolutionized my students’ attitude to Shakespeare. How can I thank you for what you have done for these students?”  Jo Vandermark, Teacher

"Thanks for your great work last week… it exceeded expectations! There has been a transformation in the way in which the class is responding to the play.  No longer are they simply reading words from the page – they are far more engaged in the play itself and the characters that make up the play.” Bob Hillman, Trinity Grammar School

September school holidays: Shakespeare Mosh Pit 2.0 and 3.0

During the September holidays aspiring performers develop skills in acting, communication and interpretation during a fun and physical week of classes. Applications now open - only 20 places per course. 

2.0 for 13-15 year olds: Shakespeare’s characters have never been so exposed! Participants spend a fun and active week exploring ways to create dynamic characters through an array of physical, vocal, sensory and text based methods.

3.0 for 16-18 year olds: Australian Shakespeare Company actors and directors will take aspiring actors and those wishing to attend drama school though professional rehearsal techniques, aiming to achieve improved levels of performance standards using selected speeches and scenes from a variety of Shakespeare’s plays.

January school holidays: Shakespeare Mosh Pit 1.0

During a fun and physical week of acting classes aspiring actors aged 9 to 13 will develop skills in acting, writing, communication and interpretation through drama games, story-telling, improvisation, script writing, movement and song.

Term 1: Shakespeare Dissected

Australian Shakespeare Company actors perform and unravel a classic Shakespeare play in a high energy journey presented at the Athenaeum Theatre. Using live theatre, multimedia and audience participation, the VCAA English objectives for year 11 and 12 students come alive. 2011 production to be announced.

Term 2: Bravehearts “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”

Aspiring actors aged 16 to 18 years audition for a full production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Exciting rehearsals focussed on skills development take place over 12 weeks, culminating in a performance to the general public.