2026 Young Critics
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Rohan Alston-Fisher has been with Canberra Youth Theatre for a number of years and joined their Young Critics program last year in the hopes of enhancing his skills as a writer and actor and to have a great time watching and discussing theatre with friends. He had such a great time, he’s here again! Rohan has had a passion for theatre and acting since a young age, so he’s enjoying the chance that Young Critics has given him to review and watch productions all around Canberra.
Grace Cassidy is an emerging writer and actress. In 2025, she appeared in Quinn Goodwin’s series of short films That Night and has been cast in Canberra REP Theatre’s upcoming Travelling North (2026). Canberra Youth Theatre’s Emerging Artist programs have given Grace a space to explore her love of theatre, become a stronger performer, and hone her skills as a writer. This year, she hopes to see more innovative productions that push the boundaries of what theatre can be.
Mili Fisher is an emerging writer/director of both theatre and film who lives to create. Since graduating and leaving high school performing arts behind, Mili has been in search of a way to connect back into theatre. In joining Canberra Youth Theatre Mili hopes to nurture her passion for creativity and feed her love of critical thinking.
Hennifer Hope is an aspiring author and performance artist with an enthusiastic love for every part of theatre, whether it’s in the performance, production, or discussion afterwards. Recent performance credits include Step Into the Limelight (IMP, 2025), Another Skatepark (Canberra Youth Theatre, Next Stage, 2025), and Animal Farm (Canberra High School, 2026). She is continuing to expand her academic education alongside live theatre, and is excited for the opportunities to experience more local performances and enhance her abilities in critical discussion provided by Young Critics.
David Reyes is, first and foremost, Filipino-Australian lover of the arts — an amateur theatre buff who struggles to resist the allure of Canberra’s theatre scene. He has joined Young Critics to broaden his theatrical horizons and open himself up to diverse and alternative perspectives. Recently, he was also an active member in the production of original stageplays like The Melting Point and Ruby Moon (St Mary MacKillop College) as both actor and deviser. With a completed UC Creative Writing H-course on his belt, he’s looking forward to putting his zeal for writing to work again.
Connor Houlihan is a 17-year-old aspiring writer with autism and dyslexia. He has been seeing plays with his mum since he was small, and loves to dissect what works and what doesn’t — from character choices to storytelling techniques — across theatre, books and film. He is excited to sharpen his analytical thinking, build new skills and connect with other young people his age.
Sophia Matz is a student in year 12 who is very passionate about theatre and performing arts. Sophia has performed in productions such as the Crucible (Canberra Grammar School, 2024), Much Ado About Nothing (Canberra Grammar School, 2025), Chicago (Canberra Grammar School, 2023), Grease (Canberra Grammar School, 2021) and more. Sophia has joined young critics with the intention of getting as much exposure to theatre as possible and supporting the Canberra theatre scene.
Nieshanka Nanthakrishnakumar is a Sri Lankan Tamil-Australian performance poet and emerging writer and theatre-maker. She has performed at the Sydney Writers Festival and the Melbourne Spoken Word Festival, and has been published in the NSW Young Writers Showcase and the Australian Poetry Journal. She also recently participated as an artist in Canberra Theatre Centre’s 2025 New Ideas Lab.
Freya Rowell is a Canberra local who is enjoying re-immersing herself in the city’s theatre scene after living in the United Kingdom for 18 months. Having performed in some productions herself over previous years including Sense and Sensibility (Canberra Rep, 2022), Be More Chill (Budding Theatre, 2021) and Oliver! (Queanbeyan Players, 2019), Freya is looking forward to participating from a different perspective with Canberra Youth Theatre Young Critics. Freya has a Diploma of Communication from the University of Canberra.
2025 Young Critics
Click on a person’s name to read more about them
Rohan Alston-Fisher has been with Canberra Youth Theatre for a number of years and joined their Young Critics program in the hopes of enhancing his skills as a writer and actor, and to have a great time watching and discussing theatre with friends. He has had a passion for theatre and acting since a young age, so he’s enjoying the chance that Young Critics has given him to review and watch productions all around Canberra. Rohan is also a part of Next Stage, Canberra Youth Theatre’s workshop program for young actors interested in a professional career.
Edith Baggoley is a current high school student studying drama and musical theatre in year 10. She has performed in youth, community and school theatre for over a decade. Edith has previously worked with Canberra Youth Theatre in The Trials as Addie, and is a part of the 2025 Young Critics.
Ashleigh Butler loves making theatre, seeing theatre and talking about theatre so is excited to try her hand at writing reviews of theatre through the Young Critics program. Ashleigh was recently onstage as Mella in Bare Witness Theatre’s production of Sauce in Canberra and Melbourne and Isla in The Forsaken at ACT Hub. Ashleigh thinks Canberra is the coolest place (she’s not even being sarcastic) and wants to draw attention to the amazing work on display in this city.
Jade Breen is a proud nonbinary creative living on Ngunnawal country. Since graduating high school last year, they spend their time putting off the looming threat of adulthood by writing plays highlighting the lived experience of young people. Their debut work Happy Meals, Happy Kids made its professional debut at The Q in 2024, a brave new piece exploring the expectations of teenagers amidst a raging climate crisis. They were incredibly fortunate to be a participant in ATYP’s National Studio, developing their craft as a playwright over a week with 19 other emerging writers. Jade’s work has an urgent focus on social justice and they hope to inspire the next generations of theatre makers to continue creating challenging and intersectional work.
Grace Cassidy is a writer and aspiring actress. Over the past two years, she has fallen in love with Canberra’s theatre scene by participating in theatre workshops, acting in local short films and getting involved in the Canberra Youth Theatre’s Emerging Artist programs. Grace is passionate about storytelling and has a soft spot for theatre that explores complex family relationships, ride or die friendships, and themes of hope.
Jessica Kelly is a young artist currently creating on Ngunnawal land. From performing and viewing, to directing and writing, Jessica is obsessed with all aspects of theatre. She has enjoyed participating in community productions since her childhood, and took any chance during her school and college years to be involved with the Performing Arts programs, often writing or directing her own pieces. She looks forward to having more exposure to Canberra’s theatre scene as a means to grow her own artistic abilities and perspective.
Ekatarina Maric is a passionate writer and theatre goer, aiming to experience all the Canberra theatre scene has to offer. Before graduating, she participated in her high school’s performing arts program as much as possible, including putting on shows that she had written whilst also performing in the cast. Post graduation, she hopes to continue participating in programs such as Canberra Youth Theatre’s Young Critics, and expand her experience in all areas of theatre. She especially loves shows put on and performed by young people, and adores musical theatre.
Sophia Matz is a student in year 11 who is very passionate about theatre and performing arts. Sophia has performed in productions such as the Crucible (Canberra Grammar School, 2024), Much Ado About Nothing (Canberra Grammar School, 2025), Chicago (Canberra Grammar School, 2023), Grease (Canberra Grammar School, 2021) and more. Sophia has joined young critics with the intention of getting as much exposure to theatre as possible and supporting the Canberra theatre scene.
Nieshanka Nanthakrishnakumar is a Sri Lankan Tamil-Australian performance poet and emerging writer and theatre-maker. She has performed at the Sydney Writers Festival and the Melbourne Spoken Word Festival, and has been published in the NSW Young Writers Showcase and the Australian Poetry Journal. She also recently participated as an artist in Canberra Theatre Centre’s 2025 New Ideas Lab.
Freya Rowell is a Canberra local who is enjoying re-immersing herself in the city’s theatre scene after living in the United Kingdom for 18 months. Having performed in some productions herself over previous years including Sense and Sensibility (Canberra Rep, 2022), Be More Chill (Budding Theatre, 2021) and Oliver! (Queanbeyan Players, 2019), Freya is looking forward to participating from a different perspective with Canberra Youth Theatre Young Critics. Freya has a Diploma of Communication from the University of Canberra.
Samson Ullinger was born in Adelaide. They became interested in theatre gradually, but a key turning point was studying Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf in high school. After moving to Canberra, they did several theatre related courses as a part of their English degree, which spurred their interest in becoming a playwright and dramaturg. Since finishing that degree, they have kept involved in the Canberra theatre scene.
Danny Yazdani is an emerging Iranian-Australian writer who originates from Western Sydney. He is an English and Sociology graduate from the University of Sydney. Danny enjoys writing across a range of forms and genres, and is fascinated by social issues with a BIPOC focus. He has been published by Honi Soit, the Writing and Society Research Centre, Salience, and Aniko Press. Additionally, Danny writes regularly for arts organisations Playwave and ArtsHub as an arts critic. Most recently, Danny has successfully completed the StoryCasters Program by Diversity Arts Australia, received a Varuna Residential Fellowship, and will be published in Multicultural NSW’s NewPoint Magazine in 2025.
