The Western Australian Youth Theatre Company (WAYTCO) was founded in 1990 to develop and present drama and theatre with, by and for young Western Australians in collaboration with a dedicated team of theatre arts professionals. A voluntary board of management, comprising 60 per cent youth members and 40 per cent theatre professionals determines the focus of the company, and a part-time administrator works from its headquarters at the King Street Arts Centre in Perth.

The WAYTCO aims to provide a bridge between the world of theatre in the community and industry and drama in schools, and its productions target a large and diverse audience, including students, young people, the corporate sector, arts and special interest groups and the general public. Around 200 members, aged 12 to 25-years, participate in the annual programme and information on WAYTCo performance projects held at schools and public venues reaches more than 4000 young Western Australians each year.

Over the past 20 years the company has established a reputation for producing and presenting high quality youth theatre, and its public performances consistently attract a large and loyal audience.

Message from the Artistic Director Phil Thomson

In 2010 we continue to empower and mentor the best of WA's emerging directors. The result will be dramatic productions chosen by young people, about young people, for young people. With professional support from our expereinced team these brilliant new directors will produce exciting and relevant theatre for the youth of WA.

We began 2010 with Renato Fabretti's production of a new work from England resettled here in a high school in our suburbs. DNA is funny, chilling, incisive and revealing. The eternal problem of bullying was shown in a vivid light, was a play that offered our actors tremendous challenges, and they trod the Subiaco Asts Centre stage with stunning confidence and maturity. It offered schools a wonderful tool to address the problems of peer group pressure and power struggles amongst teenagers...whilst being highly entertaining and gripping.

At the end of the year we will stage the final instalment of our highly successful triliogy of devised works Blood, Sweat and Tears. Tears will deal with the world of emotions, those illogical and dangerous impulses thatlead to joy and laughter. TEARs will be staged at the Yirra Yaakin space in December and open auditions will be held in September.

Consider becoming a member of WAYTCo.. not only to get early tip-offs about auditions and opportunities, but also to help forge the type of youth theatre company you want in WA.

The members of this company own it..get your slice now!

Phil Thomson
Artistic Directorupporting A