






Touring Nationally
Touring Nationally
Touring Nationally
Touring Nationally
Saplings
Saplings
by
Hannah Belanszky
Platforming
Hannah Belanszky, Maliyan Blair & Nyasha Ogden
Directed by
Abbie-lee Lewis
A collection of hilarious and heartbreaking stories born from workshops with young people experiencing the youth justice system.
c
Sydney & Nationally
Opens 11 May
Saplings
“I wasn’t there ‘cause I wanted to be, I was there ‘cause I had to be, okay? If Josh hadn’t eaten my noodles, I wouldn’t be here.”
Saplings
“I wasn’t there ‘cause I wanted to be, I was there ‘cause I had to be, okay? If Josh hadn’t eaten my noodles, I wouldn’t be here.”
Saplings
“I wasn’t there ‘cause I wanted to be, I was there ‘cause I had to be, okay? If Josh hadn’t eaten my noodles, I wouldn’t be here.”
Saplings
“I wasn’t there ‘cause I wanted to be, I was there ‘cause I had to be, okay? If Josh hadn’t eaten my noodles, I wouldn’t be here.”
Would you risk breaking bail for a packet of Mi Goreng? Would you snitch on a mate to save your own skin? Around here, ordinary days can turn on you so fast you’ve still got a smile on your face as your hopes die in your hands.
After premiering at The Rebel Theatre for the Sydney Festival in 2024 and winning Sydney Theatre Awards’ Best Production for Young People, Yuwaalaray playwright Hannah Belanszky and Kalkadoon director Abbie-lee Lewis bring Saplings to the stage once again. Four talented young actors take on multiple roles in this collection of hilarious and heartbreaking stories born from workshops with young people experiencing the youth justice system, from Marrickville to Moree.
Yani wants to go to the Easter Show, Kai wants a sense of home, Shanika wants her Mum back, and Lachlan… well, he just wants his bowl of noodles. But when the justice system is all that stands between these young people and what they want, it raises an important question: how do young people grow when the system keeps cutting them down? This poetic, personal and unexpected production will leave you asking who’s really to blame.
2026 Dates
Sun 11 May – Sat 17 May Sun 17 Jul – Sat 1 Sep
2026 Dates
Sun 11 May – Sat 17 May Sun 17 Jul – Sat 1 Sep
2026 Dates
Sun 11 May – Sat 17 May Sun 17 Jul – Sat 1 Sep
2026 Dates
Sun 11 May – Sat 17 May Sun 17 Jul – Sat 1 Sep
Venue(s)
Sydney Opera House
+ 10 National Tour Locations
Venue(s)
Sydney Opera House
+ 10 National Tour Locations
Venue(s)
Sydney Opera House
+ 10 National Tour Locations
Venue(s)
Sydney Opera House
+ 10 National Tour Locations
Pricing
Ticket prices vary by venue.
Please purchase your tickets directly through the website of your selected theatre.
Pricing
Ticket prices vary by venue.
Please purchase your tickets directly through the website of your selected theatre.
Pricing
Ticket prices vary by venue.
Please purchase your tickets directly through the website of your selected theatre.
Pricing
Ticket prices vary by venue.
Please purchase your tickets directly through the website of your selected theatre.
Duration
Approx 80 mins (no interval)
Duration
Approx 80 mins (no interval)
Duration
Approx 80 mins (no interval)
Duration
Approx 80 mins (no interval)
Age & Content Warnings
Suitable for ages 14+.
Coarse language (swearing), haze, loud noises, and references to First Nations peoples who are deceased.
Age & Content Warnings
Suitable for ages 14+.
Coarse language (swearing), haze, loud noises, and references to First Nations peoples who are deceased.
Age & Content Warnings
Suitable for ages 14+.
Coarse language (swearing), haze, loud noises, and references to First Nations peoples who are deceased.
Age & Content Warnings
Suitable for ages 14+.
Coarse language (swearing), haze, loud noises, and references to First Nations peoples who are deceased.
Detailed ticketing info below
More ticketing info below
More ticketing info below
Detailed ticketing info below
Presented by the Australian Theatre for Young People (ATYP) in partnership with the Sydney Opera House and Arts Centre Melbourne




















c
Hear from the artists
Hannah Belanszky, Maliyan Blair & Nyasha Ogden
Hear from the artists
Hannah Belanszky, Maliyan Blair & Nyasha Ogden
Hear from the artists
Hannah Belanszky, Maliyan Blair & Nyasha Ogden
Hear from the artists
Expand to play in full-screen
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ArtsHub
Sydney Morning Herald
Sydney Arts Guide
ArtsHub
Sydney Morning Herald
Sydney Arts Guide
ArtsHub
Sydney Morning Herald
Sydney Arts Guide
ArtsHub
Sydney Morning Herald
Sydney Arts Guide
Ticketing Information
Performance dates, times & pricing
Ticketing Information
Performance dates, times & pricing
Ticketing Information
Performance dates, times & pricing
Ticketing Information
Performance dates, times & pricing
★
Saplings is touring nationally and is set to be performed at 11 different venues around Australia. To book a ticket, please visit the website of your chosen theatre.
Ticket Prices
Ticket prices vary between venues – follow the venue links to book tickets.
Note: tickets at venues marked * are not yet on sale.
Ticket Prices
Ticket prices vary between venues – follow the venue links to book tickets.
Note: tickets at venues marked * are not yet on sale.
Ticket Prices
Ticket prices vary between venues – follow the venue links to book tickets.
Note: tickets at venues marked * are not yet on sale.
Ticket Prices
Ticket prices vary between venues – follow the venue links to book tickets.
Note: tickets at venues marked * are not yet on sale.
Accessibility Information
Wheelchair accessible venue(s)
Hearing assistance available
Closed captioning available
Auslan-signed performance(s)
Accessibility Information
Wheelchair accessible venue(s)
Hearing assistance available
Closed captioning available
Auslan-signed performance(s)
Accessibility Info
Wheelchair accessible venue(s)
Hearing assistance available
Closed captioning available
Auslan-signed performance(s)
Accessibility Information
Wheelchair accessible venue(s)
Hearing assistance available
Closed captioning available
Auslan-signed performance(s)
Dates | Venue |
|---|---|
Wed 13 May | |
Fri 17 Jul | Ipswich Civic Centre* |
Thu 23 Jul | |
Tue 28 Jul | |
Wed 5 Aug | Darwin* |
Thu 13 Aug | |
Thu 20 Aug | |
Sat 22 Aug | Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre* |
Tue 25 Aug | |
Fri 28 Aug | The Forge Theatre Bairnsdale* |
Tue 1 Sep | Lighthouse Theatre Warrnambool* |
Acknowledgements
Special thanks to our Partners and Supporters who made this production possible. This project has been assisted by the Australian Government through Creative Australia, its principal arts investment and advisory body.
Special thanks to our Partners and Supporters who made this production possible. This project has been assisted by the Australian Government through Creative Australia, its principal arts investment and advisory body.
Special thanks to our Partners and Supporters who made this production possible. This project has been assisted by the Australian Government through Creative Australia, its principal arts investment and advisory body.
Special thanks to our Partners and Supporters who made this production possible. This project has been assisted by the Australian Government through Creative Australia, its principal arts investment and advisory body.
Cast & Creatives
Discover the artists behind this production
Cast & Creatives
Discover the artists behind this production
Cast & Creatives
Discover the artists behind this production
Cast & Creatives
Discover the artists behind this production


Hannah Belanszky
Writer
Writer


Hannah Belanszky
(
she/her
)
is a writer, actor and Yuwaalaraay woman based in Sydney. She is the recipient of the 2025 Belnaves Fellowship with the Belvoir St Theatre, which has long been recognised as one of the most prestigious playwriting awards in Australia. Her debut mainstage play DON’T ASK WHAT THE BIRD LOOK LIKE premiered at Queensland Theatre in 2023 and was shortlisted for the 2024 NSW Premier’s Literary Awards.


Abbie-lee Lewis
Director
Director


Abbie-lee Lewis
is a Kalkadoon woman but born on Arrante country and grew up in Western Australia. In 2008 she graduated from the Aboriginal Theatre Course at WAPA. Since moving to Sydney, she has worked with the Bell Shakespeare Company, touring their educational program, The Players. In recent years Abbie-Lee has begun to develop a passion for directing and theatre making.


Jane FitzGerald
Dramaturg
Dramaturg


Jane FitzGerald
(
she/her
)
has been Resident Dramaturg at ATYP since 2017, and has been a dramaturg for 30 years. She has worked for STC, Ensemble, Royal Court London, Playwriting Australia, ANPC and Playworks. She worked for 15 years as a Mentor with Year 12 students on HSC creative writing projects. Jane is passionate about nurturing the craft and confidence of emerging writers, dramaturgs and artists.


Nyasha Ogden
Cast
Cast


Nyasha Ogden
is an actor whose stage work includes ATYP’s Saplings (2024) and CUSP (2019–20), Brown’s Mart’s Mr Takahashi (2016) and The Messenger (2022), Corrugated Iron Youth Arts’ Lord of the Flies (2018) and Big Dog Salad’s Under the Table (2022). Screen credits include Rite of Passage (2018) for Global Headquarters and Firebite (2021) for Screen Australia. Nyasha is currently training at NIDA (2023–25).


Maliyan Blair
Cast
Cast


Maliyan Blair
is a Gamilaroi artist born on Bediagal land in Sydney. She has appeared on stage with ATYP in Saplings (2024) and Charlie Pilgrim (or a Beginner’s Guide to Time Travel) (2018), and with Moogahlin Performing Arts as part of the Yellamundie Festival of New Works. On screen, she features in the ABC drama Total Control (2024).


Ryan Whitworth-Jones
Associate Director
Associate Director


Ryan Whitworth-Jones
(
he/him
)
is a proud Wiradjuri man, award-winning director, producer, and arts leader. Holding an MFA in Directing from NIDA, Ryan has collaborated with prominent companies such as STC, Darlinghurst Theatre Company, Moogahlin Performing Arts, Opera Australia, Art Gallery of NSW and NAISDA Dance College. Career highlights include: Director for Fidelio (Opera Australia development), Dramaturg for The Visitors (STC); as a Producer, Ryan has earned 2 Imagine awards.


Angela Doherty
Co-Set & Costume Designer
Co-Set & Costume Designer


Angela Doherty
is a designer whose work with ATYP includes Saplings (2024) and Shack (2022), and with New Ghosts Theatre Company on Iphigenia in Splott (2021). As costume designer for Hayes Theatre Co’s A Little Night Music (2023), Red Line Productions’ The Chairs (2023) and Seymour Centre’s The Turn of the Screw (2023). She holds a BFA from NIDA and received a 2023 Sydney Theatre Award nomination for Best Independent Costume Design.


Morgan Moroney
Co-Set & Lighting Designer
Co-Set & Lighting Designer


Morgan Moroney
is a lighting & video designer whose work spans theatre and opera. Recent credits: August: Osage County (Belvoir/Black Swan), Dido & Aeneas (Pinchgut Opera), The Queen’s Nanny, Suddenly Last Summer and Clyde’s (Ensemble), The Barber of Seville (OA), Turn of the Screw (Hayes), Girls in Boys Cars (NTofP) and Saplings and Shack (ATYP). A NIDA graduate, Morgan has received multiple APDG and Sydney Theatre Awards recognitions.


Michael Weir
Composer & Sound Designer
Composer & Sound Designer


Michael Weir
is a Wiradjuri musician, producer and visual artist behind the Indigenous streetwear label Sacred Era. A Deadly Award–winning hip-hop artist, he has performed alongside leading First Nations musicians and opened for major local and international acts, while delivering workshops for Indigenous youth. His credits include ATYP’s Saplings (2024) and Moogahlin Performing Arts’ Yellamundie Festival (2023) and Cutter & Coot (2022).


Tim Dashwood
Fight Director
Fight Director


Tim Dashwood
is an actor, Fight Director and movement creative having studied extensively in a range of martial and movement practices. He is the current President of the Society of Australian Fight Directors Incorporated (SAFDi). As Fight Director, he has worked with companies including: Hayes Theatre Company, Sydney Theatre Company, Griffin, The Ensemble, ATYP and Bell Shakespeare.


Hannah Belanszky
Writer
Writer


Hannah Belanszky
(
she/her
)
is a writer, actor and Yuwaalaraay woman based in Sydney. She is the recipient of the 2025 Belnaves Fellowship with the Belvoir St Theatre, which has long been recognised as one of the most prestigious playwriting awards in Australia. Her debut mainstage play DON’T ASK WHAT THE BIRD LOOK LIKE premiered at Queensland Theatre in 2023 and was shortlisted for the 2024 NSW Premier’s Literary Awards.


Abbie-lee Lewis
Director
Director


Abbie-lee Lewis
is a Kalkadoon woman but born on Arrante country and grew up in Western Australia. In 2008 she graduated from the Aboriginal Theatre Course at WAPA. Since moving to Sydney, she has worked with the Bell Shakespeare Company, touring their educational program, The Players. In recent years Abbie-Lee has begun to develop a passion for directing and theatre making.


Jane FitzGerald
Dramaturg
Dramaturg


Jane FitzGerald
(
she/her
)
has been Resident Dramaturg at ATYP since 2017, and has been a dramaturg for 30 years. She has worked for STC, Ensemble, Royal Court London, Playwriting Australia, ANPC and Playworks. She worked for 15 years as a Mentor with Year 12 students on HSC creative writing projects. Jane is passionate about nurturing the craft and confidence of emerging writers, dramaturgs and artists.


Nyasha Ogden
Cast
Cast


Nyasha Ogden
is an actor whose stage work includes ATYP’s Saplings (2024) and CUSP (2019–20), Brown’s Mart’s Mr Takahashi (2016) and The Messenger (2022), Corrugated Iron Youth Arts’ Lord of the Flies (2018) and Big Dog Salad’s Under the Table (2022). Screen credits include Rite of Passage (2018) for Global Headquarters and Firebite (2021) for Screen Australia. Nyasha is currently training at NIDA (2023–25).


Maliyan Blair
Cast
Cast


Maliyan Blair
is a Gamilaroi artist born on Bediagal land in Sydney. She has appeared on stage with ATYP in Saplings (2024) and Charlie Pilgrim (or a Beginner’s Guide to Time Travel) (2018), and with Moogahlin Performing Arts as part of the Yellamundie Festival of New Works. On screen, she features in the ABC drama Total Control (2024).


Ryan Whitworth-Jones
Associate Director
Associate Director


Ryan Whitworth-Jones
(
he/him
)
is a proud Wiradjuri man, award-winning director, producer, and arts leader. Holding an MFA in Directing from NIDA, Ryan has collaborated with prominent companies such as STC, Darlinghurst Theatre Company, Moogahlin Performing Arts, Opera Australia, Art Gallery of NSW and NAISDA Dance College. Career highlights include: Director for Fidelio (Opera Australia development), Dramaturg for The Visitors (STC); as a Producer, Ryan has earned 2 Imagine awards.


Angela Doherty
Co-Set & Costume Designer
Co-Set & Costume Designer


Angela Doherty
is a designer whose work with ATYP includes Saplings (2024) and Shack (2022), and with New Ghosts Theatre Company on Iphigenia in Splott (2021). As costume designer for Hayes Theatre Co’s A Little Night Music (2023), Red Line Productions’ The Chairs (2023) and Seymour Centre’s The Turn of the Screw (2023). She holds a BFA from NIDA and received a 2023 Sydney Theatre Award nomination for Best Independent Costume Design.


Morgan Moroney
Co-Set & Lighting Designer
Co-Set & Lighting Designer


Morgan Moroney
is a lighting & video designer whose work spans theatre and opera. Recent credits: August: Osage County (Belvoir/Black Swan), Dido & Aeneas (Pinchgut Opera), The Queen’s Nanny, Suddenly Last Summer and Clyde’s (Ensemble), The Barber of Seville (OA), Turn of the Screw (Hayes), Girls in Boys Cars (NTofP) and Saplings and Shack (ATYP). A NIDA graduate, Morgan has received multiple APDG and Sydney Theatre Awards recognitions.


Hannah Belanszky
Writer
Writer


Hannah Belanszky
(
she/her
)
is a writer, actor and Yuwaalaraay woman based in Sydney. She is the recipient of the 2025 Belnaves Fellowship with the Belvoir St Theatre, which has long been recognised as one of the most prestigious playwriting awards in Australia. Her debut mainstage play DON’T ASK WHAT THE BIRD LOOK LIKE premiered at Queensland Theatre in 2023 and was shortlisted for the 2024 NSW Premier’s Literary Awards.


Abbie-lee Lewis
Director
Director


Abbie-lee Lewis
is a Kalkadoon woman but born on Arrante country and grew up in Western Australia. In 2008 she graduated from the Aboriginal Theatre Course at WAPA. Since moving to Sydney, she has worked with the Bell Shakespeare Company, touring their educational program, The Players. In recent years Abbie-Lee has begun to develop a passion for directing and theatre making.


Jane FitzGerald
Dramaturg
Dramaturg


Jane FitzGerald
(
she/her
)
has been Resident Dramaturg at ATYP since 2017, and has been a dramaturg for 30 years. She has worked for STC, Ensemble, Royal Court London, Playwriting Australia, ANPC and Playworks. She worked for 15 years as a Mentor with Year 12 students on HSC creative writing projects. Jane is passionate about nurturing the craft and confidence of emerging writers, dramaturgs and artists.


Nyasha Ogden
Cast
Cast


Nyasha Ogden
is an actor whose stage work includes ATYP’s Saplings (2024) and CUSP (2019–20), Brown’s Mart’s Mr Takahashi (2016) and The Messenger (2022), Corrugated Iron Youth Arts’ Lord of the Flies (2018) and Big Dog Salad’s Under the Table (2022). Screen credits include Rite of Passage (2018) for Global Headquarters and Firebite (2021) for Screen Australia. Nyasha is currently training at NIDA (2023–25).


Maliyan Blair
Cast
Cast


Maliyan Blair
is a Gamilaroi artist born on Bediagal land in Sydney. She has appeared on stage with ATYP in Saplings (2024) and Charlie Pilgrim (or a Beginner’s Guide to Time Travel) (2018), and with Moogahlin Performing Arts as part of the Yellamundie Festival of New Works. On screen, she features in the ABC drama Total Control (2024).


Ryan Whitworth-Jones
Associate Director
Associate Director


Ryan Whitworth-Jones
(
he/him
)
is a proud Wiradjuri man, award-winning director, producer, and arts leader. Holding an MFA in Directing from NIDA, Ryan has collaborated with prominent companies such as STC, Darlinghurst Theatre Company, Moogahlin Performing Arts, Opera Australia, Art Gallery of NSW and NAISDA Dance College. Career highlights include: Director for Fidelio (Opera Australia development), Dramaturg for The Visitors (STC); as a Producer, Ryan has earned 2 Imagine awards.


Angela Doherty
Co-Set & Costume Designer
Co-Set & Costume Designer


Angela Doherty
is a designer whose work with ATYP includes Saplings (2024) and Shack (2022), and with New Ghosts Theatre Company on Iphigenia in Splott (2021). As costume designer for Hayes Theatre Co’s A Little Night Music (2023), Red Line Productions’ The Chairs (2023) and Seymour Centre’s The Turn of the Screw (2023). She holds a BFA from NIDA and received a 2023 Sydney Theatre Award nomination for Best Independent Costume Design.


Morgan Moroney
Co-Set & Lighting Designer
Co-Set & Lighting Designer


Morgan Moroney
is a lighting & video designer whose work spans theatre and opera. Recent credits: August: Osage County (Belvoir/Black Swan), Dido & Aeneas (Pinchgut Opera), The Queen’s Nanny, Suddenly Last Summer and Clyde’s (Ensemble), The Barber of Seville (OA), Turn of the Screw (Hayes), Girls in Boys Cars (NTofP) and Saplings and Shack (ATYP). A NIDA graduate, Morgan has received multiple APDG and Sydney Theatre Awards recognitions.


Michael Weir
Composer & Sound Designer
Composer & Sound Designer


Michael Weir
is a Wiradjuri musician, producer and visual artist behind the Indigenous streetwear label Sacred Era. A Deadly Award–winning hip-hop artist, he has performed alongside leading First Nations musicians and opened for major local and international acts, while delivering workshops for Indigenous youth. His credits include ATYP’s Saplings (2024) and Moogahlin Performing Arts’ Yellamundie Festival (2023) and Cutter & Coot (2022).


Hannah Belanszky
Writer
Writer


Hannah Belanszky
(
she/her
)
is a writer, actor and Yuwaalaraay woman based in Sydney. She is the recipient of the 2025 Belnaves Fellowship with the Belvoir St Theatre, which has long been recognised as one of the most prestigious playwriting awards in Australia. Her debut mainstage play DON’T ASK WHAT THE BIRD LOOK LIKE premiered at Queensland Theatre in 2023 and was shortlisted for the 2024 NSW Premier’s Literary Awards.


Abbie-lee Lewis
Director
Director


Abbie-lee Lewis
is a Kalkadoon woman but born on Arrante country and grew up in Western Australia. In 2008 she graduated from the Aboriginal Theatre Course at WAPA. Since moving to Sydney, she has worked with the Bell Shakespeare Company, touring their educational program, The Players. In recent years Abbie-Lee has begun to develop a passion for directing and theatre making.


Jane FitzGerald
Dramaturg
Dramaturg


Jane FitzGerald
(
she/her
)
has been Resident Dramaturg at ATYP since 2017, and has been a dramaturg for 30 years. She has worked for STC, Ensemble, Royal Court London, Playwriting Australia, ANPC and Playworks. She worked for 15 years as a Mentor with Year 12 students on HSC creative writing projects. Jane is passionate about nurturing the craft and confidence of emerging writers, dramaturgs and artists.


Nyasha Ogden
Cast
Cast


Nyasha Ogden
is an actor whose stage work includes ATYP’s Saplings (2024) and CUSP (2019–20), Brown’s Mart’s Mr Takahashi (2016) and The Messenger (2022), Corrugated Iron Youth Arts’ Lord of the Flies (2018) and Big Dog Salad’s Under the Table (2022). Screen credits include Rite of Passage (2018) for Global Headquarters and Firebite (2021) for Screen Australia. Nyasha is currently training at NIDA (2023–25).


Maliyan Blair
Cast
Cast


Maliyan Blair
is a Gamilaroi artist born on Bediagal land in Sydney. She has appeared on stage with ATYP in Saplings (2024) and Charlie Pilgrim (or a Beginner’s Guide to Time Travel) (2018), and with Moogahlin Performing Arts as part of the Yellamundie Festival of New Works. On screen, she features in the ABC drama Total Control (2024).


Ryan Whitworth-Jones
Associate Director
Associate Director


Ryan Whitworth-Jones
(
he/him
)
is a proud Wiradjuri man, award-winning director, producer, and arts leader. Holding an MFA in Directing from NIDA, Ryan has collaborated with prominent companies such as STC, Darlinghurst Theatre Company, Moogahlin Performing Arts, Opera Australia, Art Gallery of NSW and NAISDA Dance College. Career highlights include: Director for Fidelio (Opera Australia development), Dramaturg for The Visitors (STC); as a Producer, Ryan has earned 2 Imagine awards.


Angela Doherty
Co-Set & Costume Designer
Co-Set & Costume Designer


Angela Doherty
is a designer whose work with ATYP includes Saplings (2024) and Shack (2022), and with New Ghosts Theatre Company on Iphigenia in Splott (2021). As costume designer for Hayes Theatre Co’s A Little Night Music (2023), Red Line Productions’ The Chairs (2023) and Seymour Centre’s The Turn of the Screw (2023). She holds a BFA from NIDA and received a 2023 Sydney Theatre Award nomination for Best Independent Costume Design.




