Work With Us

Canberra Youth Theatre is seeking expressions of interest from professional theatre-makers and performance practitioners to join our pool of Workshop Artists on a casual basis.

Workshop Artists are central to our work. They connect young people with contemporary theatre practice, and help shape artistic experiences that challenge, inspire and extend young artists. Through workshops, creative development processes and performance-making opportunities, they enable young people to take creative risks, develop their craft, and make ambitious new work.

We are seeking theatre-makers with a strong artistic practice and a genuine commitment to working alongside young people, practitioners who bring professional standards, creative curiosity and a belief in the artistic potential of young people into every room they lead.

Our Workshop Programs

Workshop Artists contribute to a range of programs, including:

• Weekly Workshops — ongoing semester and term-based programs 
• Holiday Programs — intensive programs across school holidays where young people create a new work over a few days
• Emerging Artist Programs — creative development programs for artists aged 16–25
• Workshops By Design — bespoke programs designed for specific communities, schools, or partner organisations
• Teacher Professional Learning — facilitated professional development sessions for drama educators across the ACT and NSW

Workshop Artists collaborate closely with the company’s artistic team to design and deliver programs that are artistically rigorous, age-appropriate, and responsive to the needs and interests of participants.

The Roles

Our Workshop Artists are practising theatre-makers who bring their expertise, creative curiosity and professional standards into the room. They collaborate closely with the Artistic Associate – Creative Engagement to design and deliver programs that are artistically rigorous, responsive and ambitious.

Workshop Artists create the conditions for young people to take creative risks, develop their artistic practice and experience contemporary performance-making processes. They are key collaborators in our work, bringing inspiring provocations, dramaturgical thinking and a commitment to nurturing the next generation of theatre-makers.

Our Support Artists work alongside Workshop Artists to co-deliver programs and provide hands-on creative support to participants. They facilitate small groups and practical exercises, and help maintain a positive, inclusive, and safe creative environment throughout. This is a meaningful role in its own right — and an excellent opportunity for emerging practitioners who are building their facilitation experience while modelling strong creative engagement and professional practice.

We are particularly interested in artists who are excited by collaboration and committed to supporting young people to develop their own artistic voices.

We are actively expanding our offerings across a range of performance models and artistic disciplines. We welcome expressions of interest from experienced theatre-makers working across one or more of the following areas:

• Devising and collaborative performance-making
• Contemporary text-based scene work
• Acting techniques
• Inclusive arts practices
• Physical theatre
• Voice
• Movement
• Screen acting
• Musical theatre
• Writing for performance
• Stage management, design, and technical theatre

If your practice does not fit neatly into one of these areas, we still encourage you to get in touch. We are interested in artists who bring distinctive approaches to making performance and a commitment to nurturing young artists.

Remuneration

Workshop Artists are engaged on a casual basis in accordance with Live Performance Award and/or agreed project rates. Specific rates will be confirmed with applicants prior to engagement.

Required Skills, Experience and Qualities

Essential

1. A track record of professional theatre practice, with experience making or presenting work to a professional standard.
2. Experience working with young people, offering creative challenges, encouragement and artistic guidance while remaining responsive to the needs of the group.
3. A collaborative approach to theatre-making and an understanding of creative development processes.
4. Strong communication skills — able to engage effectively with young people, educators, and fellow artists.
5. Strong organisational skills and the capacity to work independently and with minimal supervision.
6. A current Working With Vulnerable People (WWVP) clearance in the ACT, or willingness to obtain one prior to commencement.

Desirable

1. Formal qualifications in Performing Arts, Drama Education, or a related discipline.
2. A current First Aid certificate.

How to Apply

We recognise that freelance artists are regularly asked to invest significant unpaid time in application processes. We have kept this EOI as streamlined as possible.

We ask for:

• A cover letter (no more than one page) introducing yourself and your work, that includes:
  • The kind of theatre you make, and how your practice connects with Canberra Youth Theatre’s approach to working with young people
  • Your experience working with young people — whether through facilitation, mentorship, or collaborative creative development
  • Your approach to leading workshops or creative development processes
  • What draws you to working with young artists at this point in your practice
• A current CV, including relevant professional and/or teaching experience.
• Contact details for two referees with direct knowledge of your work.

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to meet with the Artistic Associate – Creative Engagement

EOIs should be emailed with Workshop Artist EOI in the subject line to anna@canberrayouththeatre.com.au

If you would like to discuss the role before applying, or have any access requirements in relation to the application process, please contact Anna Johnstone on 02 6248 5057 or anna@canberrayouththeatre.com.au

Canberra Youth Theatre is committed to building a diverse and inclusive Workshop Artist pool. We strongly encourage applications from First Nations artists, artists with disabilities, artists from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and artists whose lived experience reflects the communities we serve.