Songwriting Workshops with the Australian Theatre for Young People

Term 2

  • Schools
  • Workshops
  • Aboriginal Studies
  • Drama
  • Music
  • Centre for Creativity
  • Run time: 90 minutes Subject to change

Storytelling through song

Inspired by Australian Theatre for Young People’s production of Saplings, students will work with a First Nations songwriter to write verses and tell stories through lyrics, rap and music.  

Yuwaalaray playwright Hannah Belanszky and Kalkadoon director Abbie-lee Lewis bring their exceptional talent to the stage for Saplings, a collection of hilarious and heartbreaking stories born from workshops with young people experiencing the youth justice system from Marrickville to Moree. 

The performance is set to a soundtrack of rap and hip-hop music made by young people in the youth justice system. 

This interactive music workshop will uncover the process of writing songs (and stories) for the stage – demonstrating the power of storytelling through lyrics, rap and song. Students will work with a songwriter to write a verse to music that is a powerful expression of their experience. 

This workshop can be booked alongside a performance of Saplings

What to expect

Students will: 

  • Develop their own song lyrics and verses to find their own creative storytelling voice.
  • Understand how elements, characteristics and themes of music are used in song to convey meaning.
  • Consider how their lyrics might be arranged to music and soundscapes, and what their musical influences are.
  • Develop an understanding of how to compose music and lyrics for live performance and its relationship to a script. 

Subject areas: Music, Drama, English, History, Aboriginal Studies, Aboriginal Languages 

Cross curriculum priorities and general capabilities: Creative and Critical Thinking, Literacy, Personal and Social Capability, Intercultural Understanding, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures. 

Key themes: First Nations cultural practices, storytelling, rituals, song lines, identity, collaboration, theatre design, dramaturgy, creative writing, music and sound design. 

This workshop is supported by the St George Foundation, Create NSW and Creative Australia. 

Presented by Sydney Opera House and the Australian Theatre for Young People (ATYP)

Event details

About Australian Theatre for Young People (ATYP)

Australian Theatre for Young People (ATYP) is the national youth theatre company. They exist to connect young people with the professional theatre industry locally, regionally and nationally. It’s the principle on which the company was founded in 1963. 

Australian Theatre for Young People specialises in integrating professional theatre practice with supportive youth theatre process. They love working with all levels of the arts industry, from the most celebrated national companies to the smallest youth theatres. Their work supports young people from their first theatre experience to their first professional production.

Cast and creatives

Writer
Hannah Belanszky

Director
Abbie-Lee Lewis

Associate Director
Ryan Whitworth-Jones

Dramaturg
Jane FitzGerald

Co-Set and Costume Designer
Angela Doherty

Co-Set and Lighting Designer
Morgan Moroney

Composer and Sound Designer
Michael Weir

Fight Director
Tim Dashwood

Producer
Hayden Tonazzi

Associate Producer
Ryan Whitworth-Jones

Photography by 
Clare Hawley

Videography by 
Carnivore Films

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Excursions at the Opera House

A Day Out at the House

A full school day experience of creative learning with a performance or workshop and Sydney Opera House tour.

Arts Assist

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Schools Tour

Filled with stories that demonstrate the power of creativity, students join a guided tour to learn how architect Jørn Utzon created a sculpture on Sydney Harbour that changed the course of 20th century architecture.

A young girl wearing a school uniform stares out a window in a Sydney Opera House foyer. The Sydney Harbour Bridge is seen in the background.

Attending this event

Plan your visit

Address

Sydney Opera House
Bennelong Point
Sydney NSW 2000
Australia

Getting to the venue

The Opera House is a 7-10 minute walk from Circular Quay, and is easily accessible by car, train, ferry, lightrail, bus, bike and on foot.

Location and access

Centre for Creativity

The Centre for Creativity is located at the end of the Western Foyers, next to the Drama Theatre. Best accessed through the Western Foyers entry.

All Sydney Opera House foyers are accessible, with lifts to the main and western foyers. The public lift to all foyers is accessible from the corridor near the escalators on the Lower Concourse and also in the Western Foyer via the corridor on the Ground Level (at the top of the escalators).

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