Pittwater Life June 2023 Issue

News
Helping youth stage their identity
Since its resurrection two
years ago, the Northern
Beaches Youth Theatre
has gone from strength to
strength – and now it wants
your help in growing further.
“There’s always a lot of
laughter and fun. Myself and
Chantal feel very privileged
to work with the kids,” says
Victoria Lockhart.
Chantal is Chantal Harrison,
who along with
Victoria are the co-directors
of Northern Beaches Youth
Theatre (NBYT). Pittwater Life
last talked to the pair two
years ago when they started
NBYT back up after a 10-year
hiatus. Previous to that, it had
two decades producing great
plays and great young actors
– Chantal was NBYT alumni
herself.
Back in 2021 the theatre
was about to put on a production
of the heart-warming
play ‘Hating Alison Ashley’.
It’s safe to say it was quite a
success.
“It was excellent,” says
Victoria, “we really chose the
right play to do and so there
was a sigh of relief afterwards.
“The audience loved it, the
kids loved doing it, and we
could see that we were servicing
a part of the Northern
Beaches which had not happened
in a long time.”
Another contemporary play
came next: ‘School of Sharks’
was written about life on an
isthmus, the strip of land out
to an island.
“We saw some irony in
doing the play on the peninsula,”
says Victoria, “and it
was something that appealed
to the youth – there are some
mental health issues in it,
which seemed especially
heightened in young people
after COVID.
“Like with ‘Hating Alison
Ashley’ we had a double cast
as so many kids wanted to be
involved. The play is full of
humour and coping mechanisms
for dealing with mental
health.”
And indeed the NBYT itself
is very much an antidote
to the pressures of being
a young person in today’s
world.
“It’s a stepping stone to confidence
in many ways,” agrees
Victoria. “Students come out
of their shell and it gives
them a voice. Kids that were
quiet and shy are suddenly
animated.”
‘Christmas Carol High
School’ – again with a double
cast – was the latest production.
And now with ‘Anne
of Green Gables’ about to
premiere, the theatre is very
much looking to take its next
growth step.
“We’re looking for more
youth to get involved, but also
more adults,” explains Victoria,
“and we want the community
to know we’re there.”
”We’re building ourselves
as a theatre and we’re now
looking for people to assist
with grant applications,”
BOOST: Victoria and
Chantal (rear) say
Northern Beaches
Youth Theatre provides
kids with a stepping
stone to confidence.
she said. “We’re looking for
philanthropists and we want
to grow.
“We know now that we’re
needed and appreciated.
It’s a safe space for youth
to explore and get into that
lovely creative and imaginative
space. They can free
themselves and feel ownership
and pride over what they
create. We’re facilitating their
creativity.
“But to do more, we need
more finances.”
If you want to get involved,
the Home Theatre is in Warriewood
at Pittwater Uniting
Church. Rehearsals are
4.30pm to 6.30pm on a Friday
evening. And that ramps up
coming up to production
time – which is the case now,
with ‘Anne of Green Gables’
next up.
“The kids have just loved
it,” says Victoria. “We hadn’t
done anything traditional
up until now and this is a
straight adaptation of the
story.”
“It’s been great to do a
traditional piece, with people
involved in creating the set
and costumes that requires –
so that people could see our
scope and variety.
“And everyone has loved it.
They giggle a lot at the language,
and it’s a great education
for them.” – Rob Pegley
*Anne of Green Gables performances
June 15 and 17
(Cast A) and June 22 and 24
(Cast B). Tickets @ Humanitix.com;
Adults $20, Youth/
concession $12, Family $50.
Email infonbyt@gmail.com
24 JUNE 2023
The Local Voice Since 1991