An intensive week of drama workshops for Victorian students with limited access to the arts.
Our annual Youth Scholarship Course is a life-changing week of drama workshops at Melbourne Theatre Company. The course provides an opportunity for young people with limited access to the arts to learn and develop drama skills, gain confidence, self-awareness and self-expression whilst building friendships and a lifelong affinity for theatre. Lunch is provided each day, and accommodation is available for a limited number of students from regional Victoria. This program is intended for students who would not otherwise have access to an extra-curricular drama program due to economic, geographic or personal barriers, and is offered free of charge.
More information about the course is included below.
When and where
Monday 30 September – Friday 4 October 2024 in Southbank, Melbourne.
Eligibility
Young people who:
- Are aged from 14 to 16 years at the time of the course
- Are currently enrolled in secondary school in Victoria
- Would not usually have the opportunity to participate in an intensive drama course due to disadvantage in one or more of the following areas: economic, educational, geographic and/or social/personal
Melbourne Theatre Company is committed to sharing stories that reflect the diversity of the human experience. We welcome applications from everyone – regardless of race, sexuality, faith, ability or gender.
How to participate
Teachers nominate a student at their school via an online form. Each school may only nominate one student per year. Teachers receive a link to send to their student to complete their application.
Nominations for the 2024 course have now closed. Nominated students and their teachers will be contacted before the end of August regarding the outcome.
About the course
SELECTION PROCESS
Students are nominated by a teacher at their school. Only one student can be nominated each year per school.
The selection panel, comprising Melbourne Theatre Company Education staff and the course teaching artists, selects approximately 20 students who best meet the eligibility requirements. The panel strives to achieve a balanced mix of students according to age, gender, school type and region.
The group of students selected to participate in the Youth Scholarship Course will all be aged 14-16 and everyone will be from a different Victorian school.
GUIDELINES FOR NOMINATION
The opportunity for students to showcase their talent is not the major focus of this course, so students nominated purely for reasons of ability will not be given preference. Teachers should consider nominating a student who may thrive if given the opportunity to develop their skills in an alternative learning environment.
This course is intended for students experiencing economic, educational, geographic and/or social/personal disadvantage. Please note: We don’t expect nominated students to have considerations in each area, but please provide as much information as possible, as all relevant details regarding the student’s situation can assist the selection panel.
ACCOMMODATION FOR REGIONAL STUDENTS
Thanks to Quest Southbank, we can provide free accommodation to a limited number of students from regional and remote Victoria if they do not have relatives or family friends to stay with in Melbourne.
Each apartment has 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and a kitchenette. To stay at Quest Southbank, at least one parent or carer is required to accompany the student to provide duty of care.
Check-in will be Sun 29 Sep and check-out will be Fri 4 Oct.
TRAVEL TO AND FROM MELBOURNE
Students must make their own way to and from Melbourne Theatre Company.
Upon request, we can reimburse students for train/bus fare only. Please save receipts.
FOOD AND DRINK
Morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea and drinks will be provided on each day of the course. We cater for dietary requirements.
SUPERVISION
Melbourne Theatre Company will supervise students during the course. We cannot provide duty of care outside of the course hours. If the student is staying with relatives or family friends, a contact person must be nominated by the student’s family. Students are expected to make their own travel arrangements to and from Melbourne Theatre Company.
Also in this section
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Deadly Creatives
A one-of-a-kind creative learning and engagement initiative for young First Nations people.
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Youth Ambassadors
A yearlong enrichment program for Year 11 theatre-lovers to step behind-the-scenes.
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Regional Workshops
We strive to make creative, theatrical experiences accessible to all students in Victoria.
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Talks and events
Enhance your theatre experience with a pre-show talk, revision webinar or HQ tour.
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Work Experience
Observe one week of rehearsals at our Southbank headquarters.
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School Partnerships
Our school partnerships connect students with Melbourne Theatre Company staff and artists.
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Teacher PD
Professional development opportunities for teachers to meet with our staff and artists.
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Costume Hire
We have an enormous array of costumes available for school groups to hire.