The Power of the Theatre For Youth in Fairfield

Mounties Group was proud to contribute a grant of $10,000 towards the Powerhouse Youth Theatre (PYT), which supported an exciting project that showcased the creativity and talent of young adults from Fairfield and its surrounding suburbs. As part of the ClubGRANTS 2023, the Mounties grant has been used to create an original theatre work devised and performed by exceptional young artists in Fairfield.

The project provided a platform for talented individuals to meet weekly, devising and rehearsing a new theatre piece in a genre of their choosing, with the prompt ‘Young People and relationships in Western Sydney’ guiding their creative journey. Emphasising inclusivity and diversity, participants integrated their unique cultural arts practices into the work that was tailored for multicultural communities.

Recognising the challenges faced by young artists from Western Sydney, particularly those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, PYT Fairfield remains steadfast in its commitment to upskilling its artists and empowering them to take ownership of their creative endeavours.

The performance, titled “Tuân’s Party” proved to be a resounding success, shedding light on pertinent issues faced by young people in Western Sydney against the backdrop of the 2022 Federal election.

“From this event we are publishing the script alongside a companion piece about reimagining the Australian theatre canon for a more diverse Australia. It will likely be picked up for a New South Wales tour and has brought 10 new Ensemble members to our program,” said PYT Fairfield Director, Jacqueline Hornjik.

“It has really built up our local cohort of young and emerging artists from Western Sydney,” she added.

The impact of PYT’s initiatives extends beyond the stage, with the organisation's youth cohort witnessing remarkable success in the past. An impressive 85% of local community artists secured paid employment in the arts directly as a result of their involvement in PYT's programs, underscoring the tangible benefits of initiatives like "Tuân’s Party" in nurturing talent and providing pathways to professional opportunities for young artists in the region.

This funding directly benefited 10 individuals, with an additional 240 people indirectly supported. As the script is set to be published and further presented in schools, the impact of this work will continue to positively influence and support young people for years to come.

“Through funding like this, Mounties Group aims to make a meaningful difference in the lives of young people, enabling them to explore their potential and contribute to the cultural richness of their communities,” said Mounties Group President, John Dean.

“We are excited to see the continued impact of this project as it reaches even more audiences through publication and school presentations,” he added.

Remaining committed to empowering youth and promoting creativity through ClubGRANTS, Mounties is pleased to have supported PYT Fairfield to help young people’s artistic aspirations thrive and continue to brighten our communities.

For more information on PYT Fairfield visit pyt.com.au