About Us
Our vision is simple:
to empower the next generation of storytellers
For more than 60 years, ATYP has been the national home for young people to create, perform and tell their stories. We give young Australians the tools and confidence to enrich the nation’s cultural life with their own voices and ideas.
ATYP is Australia’s flagship youth theatre company, working with young people aged 5–26. We champion youth voice on stage and behind the scenes, creating pathways for young artists, writers and performers to develop their craft, connect with industry and share stories that reflect the world they live in today.
Our work strengthens confidence, creativity and community — using theatre as a powerful tool for self-expression, wellbeing and social connection.
Our work is built on 3 pillars:
Award-winning new Australian plays and musicals created with, by and for young people. ATYP’s productions bring the voice of young Australia to our stages, whilst creating opportunities for artists to make their professional debuts.
Australia’s largest drama workshop program for young people, engaging over 6,000 students annually across every state and territory. From weekly classes and holiday programs to in-school residencies and Intersection Festival, our Learning Program builds skills, confidence and creativity in the next generation.
Each year, more than 40 emerging artists are mentored through ATYP’s writing and artist development programs to create over 50 new plays and performance works. Initiatives like Fresh Ink, National Studio, Peer2Pier and Industry Crash Course support young creatives to develop their practice, form networks and step into the wider arts industry.
60 Years of Stories
ATYP is proud to have launched the careers of some of Australia’s most recognisable creatives – including:
Since 1963, ATYP has launched the careers of some of Australia’s most recognisable actors, writers and directors. Alumni include artists such as Nicole Kidman, Baz Luhrmann, Toni Collette, Rebel Wilson, Mitchell Butel, Rose Byrne, Michael Gow and many more who first discovered their voice on an ATYP stage.
ATYP’s legacy is built on generations of young people who took a creative risk, joined an ensemble, wrote their first scene or stepped into the spotlight for the very first time.
Today, ATYP continues to nurture the next wave of Australian talent – from early-career writers and directors to performers, producers and designers.
Today, our logo
tells our story.
Our home at Pier 2/3 sits beside Sydney’s iconic Harbour Bridge – a daily reminder that we exist to span divides: between youth and experience, training and opportunity, dreams and careers.
Every young person who steps into ATYP is invited to cross that bridge — to find their voice, to connect with peers and mentors, and to step with confidence into the broader creative industry.
Across six decades, ATYP has been recognised with some of Australia’s highest honours in theatre and screen. These awards celebrate the creativity, ambition and impact of our artists, our productions and the young voices shaping the future of Australian storytelling.
7 Sydney Theatre Awards
2014, 2015, 2016 (x2),
2019, 2022 and 2024
2 Helpmann Awards
2013 and 2016
6 AWGies
2006, 2008, 2013 (x2)
and 2020 (x2)
