During our weekly classes young people will collaborate to create original theatre from the ground up. Term 2 and 3 will culminate in a work-in-progress showing during the final class of the terms. In Term 4, the original works created will be showcased to the public at the UNDERARTS Festival in December 2025. Young people will have the opportunity to involve themselves in any or all parts of the production process, whether it be acting, directing, writing, dramaturgy or set, costume and sound design.

We are process driven: we play games, we improvise, we explore theatrical genres and techniques, we world build, we dance, we experiment with space and objects, we design, we make music, we create set and costume, we act, we listen to each other, we make new friends, we take care of each other, we put on a show.

Our weekly classes are run by UNDERARTS founders Anna McCarthy and Allison Wiltshire, who have nearly twenty-years of professional arts experience. We will facilitate a dynamic curriculum inspired by our own educational and professional experiences in theatre making.

Each term two guest artists will be invited into the space to run a workshop inspired by their own artistic practice. We are pleased to announce that some of Melbourne’s most prestigious and acclaimed theatre markers are joining us in 2025: Sarah Aiken (Chunky Move), Zoey Dawson (Melbourne Theatre Company), Susie Dee (multi-award winning director, dramaturg, writer and actor), Ash Flanders (award winning performer, writer and cabaret artist) and Stephen Nicolazzo (Artistic Director of Brink Productions).

The cost for our Term 2 program is:

$300 for 8 - 12 year olds (with a $30 reduction if you sign up during the term)

We are happy to offer a trial class if your child/young person is hesitant to commit to a whole term.

Accessibility is important to us - if the cost of the classes or workshops are too high, please get in contact with us at hello@underarts.com.au