Stage School Australia

Stage School Australia is a performing arts training organisation for young people founded in 1984.^[1] Based in Melbourne and Brisbane, it is the umbrella company for the Young Australian Broadway Chorus, Australian Youth Theatre, Beginners OnStage and Australian Boys Dance Academy programs.^[2] Classes are offered for children as young as 4 years of age, up to age 18.^[1]

Established in 1984, the organisation delivers structured training across four core performance programs and also provides professional industry representation through its affiliated talent agency.

The organisation was originally founded as the Victorian Youth Theatre (VYT) in 1984, offering drama-based training and live performance opportunities for young people in Melbourne. In the decades since, it has evolved into a multifaceted performing arts school operating under the name Stage School Australia since 2014. It previously operated as the Children’s Performing Company of Australia (CPCA).

Stage School Australia's four main training programs include:

• Beginners OnStage – Launched in 2009, Beginners OnStage Introduced to provide an accessible entry point into the performing arts, BOS offers weekly classes in singing, dancing, and acting for children aged 4 to 7. The program emphasises confidence-building, creativity, and collaboration in a fun and nurturing environment through song, dance and drama.
• Australian Youth Theatre (AYT) – AYT focuses on acting and drama training for students aged 8 to 18. It develops skills in improvisation, characterisation, voice, and stagecraft, and offers scripted performance opportunities throughout the year. AYT builds students’ abilities as both individual performers and ensemble members.
• Young Australian Broadway Chorus (YABC) – Launched in 1999, YABC provides triple-threat musical theatre training for students aged 8 to 18. The program combines singing, dancing, and acting classes with frequent performance opportunities in full-scale musical productions. YABC has staged numerous original and licensed shows at major Melbourne venues.
• Australian Boys Dance Academy (ABDA) – Established in 2014, ABDA offers dance training for boys aged 6 to 18 in jazz, tap, and hip-hop styles. Designed to encourage boys’ participation in the performing arts, ABDA fosters strength, coordination, and performance skills in a supportive, all-male environment.

In addition to weekly programs, Stage School Australia runs short courses, school holiday workshops, both small and large-scale productions, and interstate & international performance tours.

In 2022, the organisation expanded to Brisbane, and as of 2025, operates at more than 30 venues across Melbourne and Brisbane, supported by over 200 teaching and production staff.

Stage School also offers additional services and opportunities through its affiliated divisions:

• The Talent Company of Australia (TCA) represents students for professional work in film, television, theatre, and advertising.
• The Costume Dept. provides professional costumes, sets, and props for hire to schools, community theatre groups, and other event organisers.

Stage School Australia students perform at least twice a year.^[1] The Young Australian Broadway Chorus students perform in professionally staged productions, and can audition for school holiday productions and tours.^[3]

In 2010, the Young Australian Broadway Chorus performed Pure Imagination at the National Theatre in St Kilda, Melbourne.^[4] The show featured musical theatre classic songs from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, Oliver!, Guys and Dolls, and Wicked.^[4]

In 2011, YABC acquired the rights to stage the Melbourne premiere production of the Broadway hit musical Spring Awakening.^[5] A cast with 24 members, all between the ages of 16 and 18, performed the full 2-hour musical at the National Theatre in St. Kilda.^[5]

In 2016, a cast of 74 performers from YABC appeared in the school's production of Disney's Beauty and the Beast at the University of Melbourne Union Theatre.^[6]

Stage School Australia's first production in Brisbane was The Wizard of Oz at the Draney Theatre, Ashgrove in 2024.^[7][8] In April 2025, it is staging the musical Seussical, also at the Draney Theatre.^[9][8] A review in The Scoop called it "a joyful, high-energy celebration of imagination".^[9]

Since 1996, Stage School Australia has conducted tours in Australia and internationally to countries including France, Germany, Italy, Singapore, the United Kingdom, and the United States.^[1]

In 1999, 15 performers from the Victorian Youth Theatre went on a three-week tour in the United States, with performances at venues including Disneyworld in Florida and the Lincoln Center in New York.^[10]

In 2010, 40 performers from the YABC performed at the Adelaide Fringe festival.^[11] A review in The Advertiser called their Broadway Junior Collection musical "fabulous", presenting "a torrent of foot-tapping big numbers, some good solo spots to showcase rising star material, some spirited dance routines and a bit of a story".^[11]

Over the years, Stage School Australia and its predecessor organisations have trained numerous talented individuals who have gone on to achieve success in both stage and screen performances. Some of the most notable alumni include:

• Samantha Dodemaide – Currently Nini in Moulin Rouge! The Musical on Broadway. Previously performed as Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz, Elphaba in Wicked, Charity in Sweet Charity, Erma and Reno in Anything Goes, Roxie (U/S) in Chicago, Eva Perón in Evita, and more.
• Caitlyn De Kuyper – Currently Katherine Howard in SIX: The Musical on the West End.
• David Duketis – Currently in the ensemble of Beauty and the Beast, previously performed in Miss Saigon, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and Phantom of the Opera.
• Brianna Bishop – Recently performed as Josie in Elf the Musical, previously as Marty in Grease, Ella in Midnight, and Amber von Tussle in Hairspray.
• Sienna Embrey – Currently performing in Guys and Dolls, previously in Follies, Dixie in Elvis: A Musical Revolution, and Brenda in Hairspray.
• Afua Adjei – Currently a worker in Hadestown, previously Debbie in Groundhog Day.
• Kara Sims – Recently performed in In The Heights, U/S Kim and Ensemble in Miss Saigon, and Ensemble in Moulin Rouge.
• Rishab Kern – Recently played Raymond in Tina: The Tina Turner Musical, currently performing in Henry V with Bell Shakespeare.
• Lyndon Watts – Played Aaron Burr in Hamilton and has been in numerous other productions.

• James Frecheville – Known for Peaky Blinders, Animal Kingdom (film), and more.
• James Majoos – Portrays Darren in Heartbreak High on Netflix.
• Tharanya Tharan – Appears in Shantaram on Apple TV and Year Of on Stan.
• Darcy Bryce – Recently featured in Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga.
• Rhiannon Fish – Hallmark film actress, best known in Australia for her role in Home and Away.