Meet the 2018 Youth Ambassadors

This group of Year 11 theatre-lovers are embarking on a year-long extension program that offers insight into the world of professional theatre. Each month they attend an MTC production, meet with artists and staff, and share their experiences of theatre with like-minded peers. Meet the 2018 MTC Ambassadors:

April
April is interested in acting and directing. ‘The MTC donors have been my favourite guest speaker so far this year!’ says April. She has also enjoyed meeting actors, and particularly enjoyed watching Gloria by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins. ‘It was great having the chance to go backstage to see how the set worked.’

Bailey
Bailey is interested in acting, and travels from Ballarat to participate in the MTC Ambassadors program. ‘I can’t really decide on a favourite show because they’re all so different to one another,’ says Bailey. ‘If I did have to choose one, it would be The House of Bernarda Alba, adapted by Patricia Cornelius after Federico García Lorca.’

Charlie
Charlie is interested in acting. ‘My favourite MTC production this year has been Wild by Mike Bartlett,’ says Charlie, ‘because of how humour was used to explore issues that are extremely relevant to our world today.’ Wild explored privacy and surveillance in the digital age.

Eilish
Eilish is interested in design. ‘The best part of MTC Ambassadors is the ability to have access to professionals in such a communicative way, with the plus of seeing what they’ve done.’ Guest speakers so far have included playwrights, designers, stage managers and production staff.

Gypsi
Gypsi is interested in acting. ‘My favourite show so far would have to be Wild, because it was WILD! It was amazing to see how everything cam together for the play and how everyone and everything had to work together to make the show and stagecraft a success.’

Imogen
Imogen is interested in direction and design. ‘My favourite thing about this program so far has been the rest of the lovely Ambassadors. Getting to know this intelligent, curious and funny group of people has been so much fun, and it’s amazing to be surrounded by like-minded people.’

Jaimee
Jaimee is interested in all aspects of theatre! ‘Being an MTC Ambassador is amazing because I get to hang out with other passionate theatre nerds and amazing industry professionals.’ The MTC Ambassadors are from schools across the state, including three students from regional Victoria.

Jainam
Jainam is interested in lighting, sound and acting. ‘The MTC Ambassadors meetings are of great learning and interaction,’ says Jainam. ‘Each meeting is filled with incredible opportunities and exhilarating performances – I couldn’t ask for more! I just wish they occurred more often.’

Joanna
Joanna is interested in writing. ‘My favourite MTC production so far has been Hungry Ghosts by Jean Tong,’ says Joanna. ‘I loved seeing the all-Asian cast and the story was close to home. It’s great to see this kind of representation.’ Hungry Ghosts also toured to six regional venues across Victoria and Tasmania.

Lilu
Lilu is interested in all aspects of theatre! ‘My favourite show so far this year has been The House of Bernarda Alba. The illusion of the past in a modern setting was very well done.’ The Ambassadors also met the cast of this production after they saw the performance. Lilu travels from the Macedon Ranges to participate in MTC Ambassadors.

Lucy
Lucy is interested in prop and set design. ‘I love being able to see a show each month and then discuss it with all the other MTC Ambassadors. It’s so cool to be able to talk and hear from people who work in different areas of the Company.’ Lucy travels from Gippsland to participate in MTC Ambassadors.

Luey
Luey is interested in acting and writing. ‘My favourite guest speaker so far this year has been Dan Giovannoni. It was fantastic meeting Dan, a playwright connected with MTC, because playwriting is something that interests me greatly. The description of how Dan writes was interesting, and assured me in understanding what I may wish to do in the future.’

Maddy
Maddy is interested in lighting and directing. ‘Costume Designer Sophie Woodward has been my favourite guest speaker so far. It was really interesting to learn about how costumes were made, and we were doing costumes in class at the time.’ Her favourite production so far this year is The House of Bernarda Alba.

Mateo
Mateo is interested in acting and film. ‘The best part of MTC Ambassadors is the passion everyone shares,’ says Mateo, ‘and the access to behind-the-scenes. The meetings are so interesting.’ At their first meeting, the Ambassadors went backstage at Southbank Theatre to see the Abigails’ Party set from a stage manager’s perspective.

Ruby
Ruby is interested in acting and directing. ‘My favourite production so far this year has been Hungry Ghosts,’ says Ruby. ‘I liked that the stories in each scene sometimes contrasted with each other, it was really thought provoking. The set design was so unique and I loved watching the actors navigate it.’

Sonia
Sonia is interested in directing and writing. ‘My favourite guest speaker so far this year has been Andrew Bailey,’ says Sonia. ‘Andrew designed the set for Wild. I loved learning about his design process, and the complexities of the Wild set. It was really interesting to see how every facet of the set came together.’