Three young adults pose together in front of a dark studio backdrop. One person sits on a stool wearing a light blue T-shirt, white pants and sneakers, while two others stand beside them with hands resting on their shoulders. The person on the left wears denim overalls and sandals, and the person on the right wears a maroon top and black jeans. All three look relaxed and smiling, with lighting equipment partly visible at the edge of the frame.
Three young adults pose together in front of a dark studio backdrop. One person sits on a stool wearing a light blue T-shirt, white pants and sneakers, while two others stand beside them with hands resting on their shoulders. The person on the left wears denim overalls and sandals, and the person on the right wears a maroon top and black jeans. All three look relaxed and smiling, with lighting equipment partly visible at the edge of the frame.
Three young adults pose together in front of a dark studio backdrop. One person sits on a stool wearing a light blue T-shirt, white pants and sneakers, while two others stand beside them with hands resting on their shoulders. The person on the left wears denim overalls and sandals, and the person on the right wears a maroon top and black jeans. All three look relaxed and smiling, with lighting equipment partly visible at the edge of the frame.
Three young adults pose together in front of a dark studio backdrop. One person sits on a stool wearing a light blue T-shirt, white pants and sneakers, while two others stand beside them with hands resting on their shoulders. The person on the left wears denim overalls and sandals, and the person on the right wears a maroon top and black jeans. All three look relaxed and smiling, with lighting equipment partly visible at the edge of the frame.
Three young adults pose together in front of a dark studio backdrop. One person sits on a stool wearing a light blue T-shirt, white pants and sneakers, while two others stand beside them with hands resting on their shoulders. The person on the left wears denim overalls and sandals, and the person on the right wears a maroon top and black jeans. All three look relaxed and smiling, with lighting equipment partly visible at the edge of the frame.
Three young adults pose together in front of a dark studio backdrop. One person sits on a stool wearing a light blue T-shirt, white pants and sneakers, while two others stand beside them with hands resting on their shoulders. The person on the left wears denim overalls and sandals, and the person on the right wears a maroon top and black jeans. All three look relaxed and smiling, with lighting equipment partly visible at the edge of the frame.
Three young adults pose together in front of a dark studio backdrop. One person sits on a stool wearing a light blue T-shirt, white pants and sneakers, while two others stand beside them with hands resting on their shoulders. The person on the left wears denim overalls and sandals, and the person on the right wears a maroon top and black jeans. All three look relaxed and smiling, with lighting equipment partly visible at the edge of the frame.

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

Moving,upsettingand,perhapsunexpectedly,strikinglyfunny
Adelicatestoryofchallengeandpossibility...thewordsflypast.Catch‘emifyoucan.
Withallthenuancedcharismaoftheoriginalstory-tellers...funny,charmingdreamers.

ArtsHub

Sydney Morning Herald

Sydney Arts Guide

Moving,upsettingand,perhapsunexpectedly,strikinglyfunny
Adelicatestoryofchallengeandpossibility...thewordsflypast.Catch‘emifyoucan.
Withallthenuancedcharismaoftheoriginalstory-tellers...funny,charmingdreamers.

ArtsHub

Sydney Morning Herald

Sydney Arts Guide

Moving,upsettingand,perhapsunexpectedly,strikinglyfunny
Adelicatestoryofchallengeandpossibility...thewordsflypast.Catch‘emifyoucan.
Withallthenuancedcharismaoftheoriginalstory-tellers...funny,charmingdreamers.

ArtsHub

Sydney Morning Herald

Sydney Arts Guide

Moving,upsettingand,perhapsunexpectedly,strikinglyfunny
Adelicatestoryofchallengeandpossibility...thewordsflypast.Catch‘emifyoucan.
Withallthenuancedcharismaoftheoriginalstory-tellers...funny,charmingdreamers.

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)

Tickets selling fast – don't miss out!
Tickets selling fast – don't miss out!
Tickets selling fast – don't miss out!
Tickets selling fast – don't miss out!

Dates

Venue

Wed 13 May
until
Sun 17 May

Sydney Opera House→

Fri 17 Jul

Ipswich Civic Centre*

Thu 23 Jul
Fri 24 Jul

Geelong Arts Centre →

Tue 28 Jul
until
Sat 1 Aug

Arts Centre Melbourne →

Wed 5 Aug
until
Sat 8 Aug

Darwin*

Thu 13 Aug
Fri 14 Aug
Sat 15 Aug

Theatre Royal Hobart →

Thu 20 Aug

BMEC Bathurst →

Sat 22 Aug

Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre*

Tue 25 Aug

The Joan Penrith →

Fri 28 Aug

The Forge Theatre Bairnsdale*

Tue 1 Sep

Lighthouse Theatre Warrnambool*

Acknowledgements

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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.

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ATYP acknowledges Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islanders are Australia's First Peoples and we acknowledge the Gadigal People, the traditional owners of the land on which we work. They are the original storytellers of our nation and we pay our respect to Elders past & present.