Youth Arts

What would you do if you realised the world was ending tonight? When I Think of the End by the Toowoomba Senior IMPACT Ensemble dares to offer the answer for a group of teenagers at a house party. This production strikes a chilling balance between hilarity, melancholy and extreme relatability as you watch a group of teens from all different backgrounds and upbringings grapple with the daunting realization that the end is nigh. Will they open the door and fight back? Or will they stay put?

It's no secret that teenagers today face many never heard of challenges, but are we facing the end of the world? Some days in may feel that way and this year’s IMPACT production encapsulates the modern teenage experience perfectly. The entire ensemble of 12 young actors worked beautifully together in the well-designed space, providing a shockingly realistic representation of teenagers from all walks of life, forced to put aside their differences and come together.

Despite being a “youth production” When I Think of The End presents audiences with several serious real world issues facing today’s young people, tackling problems like micro-plastics, climate change and the cost-of-living crisis with all the teen angst one would expect from the young creatives behind the show. The play is youthful and vibrant with energy and sparkle around every corner, with particular stand-out performances by Jo Cramb playing the adorably clueless “Schmitty”, Lotus Braybrooke as the fiery “Harper” and Mary Malesi who touched the hearts of every audience member with a heartfelt and soulful original song that provided a welcome break from the overlapping chaos and stuck with me for days afterwards. Each character in the ensemble felt fully fleshed out with their own unique perspectives and motivations, not one moment felt filler-y every new scene provided depth to the plot. We are provided insight into the characters inner thoughts through select moments in which the façade and the party lights melt away, and the characters are illuminated by a single spotlight as they talk directly to us telling us what they think of when they think of the end of the world.

The show comes to a tearjerkingly bittersweet ending when faced with the choice between going out and dying on their own terms or staying inside and waiting in fear for the inevitable end the teens choose… neither. Rather to plan their tomorrows, hand in hand they discuss the weather of a tomorrow that will never come.

This play was masterfully produced and packed a message that will certainly leave you thinking… what do you think of when you think of the end?

When I Think of The End was a fantastic play! Not only did I question my very existence, but I enjoyed every moment, from the laughs, to the tears. Created and performed by this year’s Senior Impact, the performance explores existence, relationships, and that eternal question of: What would you do if the world was ending? The production was performed in the Empire Theatre's Armitage Center over a two day period, with a cast of twelve actors.

The play follows eleven teenagers who get invited to a party hosted by ultra-rich girl and queen bee, Millie Morgan (Emmi Lange). Though at first the teens think that it's just a regular high school party, they soon realise that is not the whole reason Millie invited them.

A part of the play I was really impressed with was the differences between the characters, as each one felt unique and each had their own worries and fears. Another part of the play that I found really meaningful was the song sung by the character CC (Mary Malesi). This song was really moving and deep, conveying a feeling of sadness, and loneliness, which matches up with what the teens were feeling at the time. The song was so deep, that not only made me cry, but it also made me question my own mortality.

One of my favorite characters in the performance was Schmitty (Jo Cramb). Not only was his comedic timing on point, but his whole story of trying to fit in warmed my heart. I also love how adorably naive his character was as it added a much needed dose of humor to this very deep and meaningful play. Speaking of the play being meaningful, I really liked the detail of all the characters being teens/young adults. I like it because it represents a fear that many teens/young adults have of not getting to live life, and experience the world, a fear that we see exemplified through this play. Imagine if you were a teen who never got to do the things you'd dreamed of doing because the word was ending? How would you react? How would you feel?

This year’s Senior Impact production When I Think of The End is a shining example of the creativity of teenagers, and why we should let more programs like this happen. From the thought-provoking message to the amazing characterisation, When I Think of The End is a production I could watch again and again. I can’t wait to see what the Senior Impact team come up with next year

The palace, the lake and the theatre – Duck Pond by Circa is the very essence of a dream on stage.

Neary was there a dull moment, from the orchestral score to the amazing acrobatics, the actors had the audience applauding the entire way through. The four main actors playing Fairy Swan Mother, The Ugly Duckling, The Black Swan and the Prince particularly excelled at story telling with their body movements. Particular highlights included the pillow fight, the ball and the entirety of Act 3, which acted as a somewhat epilogue featuring hula hooping, burlesque dancing and fourth wall breaking, peeling the curtain back and revealing the true magic behind the theatre as we watch the actors shed their costumes and get into all kinds of hilarious hijinks while packing down the set. This was beyond original and so fun to watch!

Furthermore, the non-stop death-defying stunts featured during the ball scene floored the audience as we watched Ugly Duckling and Black Swan compete for the affections of the Prince. This scene is contrasted by some of the more stripped-down moments in the play, particularly a favourite moment of mine, the entry of the Black Swan. The orchestra is swapped for electric guitar and the lively ensemble for the simplicity of just the Black Swan and a single male actor. Despite lacking the comedy and frill seen during the rest of the play this scene draws you in as an audience member. The scene evokes desire and longing for the sleek Black Swan, and the contrast reminds you of the fumbling, clumsy cuteness that is the Ugly Duckling. This makes the story’s end all the more satisfying to watch. From competition to recognition and love the plot takes an enjoyably unexpected feminist turn as the Duckling and the Swan unite with one another. The lights turn rosy, pink as the two share a loving embrace… the audience rejoices and laughs uncontrollably as the Prince falls to the floor in confusion.

In a sentence Duck Pond was… Flipping awesome.

‘Macbeth’ by Sport for Jove Theatre company: A Bold and unique take, breathing new life into a timeless classic!

This modern retelling of one of Shakespeare’s most well-loved plays provides audiences with a new lens to view this tragedy. Director George Bander‘s choice to focus on key themes such as PSTD and grief gives the lines and poems a whole new meaning without changing a syllable of the original text. This play pays homage to the historical context without being carbon copy, striking the perfect balance between darkness and humour and finding ways to insert references to the modern day without cheapening the story.

This production places the spotlight on the Trauma of the Macbeths losing a child in a world surrounded by characters with fruitful royal lineages such as the Macduff's and Banquo. This provides a deeper context to the famous “unsex me” speech, delivered to its full capacity by my favourite actor of the night Tamara Lee Bailey. Showing Lady Macbeth struggling as a grieving would-be mother renouncing her motherly attributes allows the audience to see the reason for her madness and her desperate need for control. She is more than a vindictive power-hungry trophy wife, she has real weakness and real fears, and she is a victim to her situation just like everyone else in this play. This was truly a memorable moment.

That being said, this play is full of moments to remember; From the zombie-like weird sisters, to the hilarious Porter, to stoner uncle Ross… the entire ensemble of 9 actors worked together beautifully within the space, making fantastic use of the minimal set design. The talent radiated off the stage and the story touched everyone in the audience.

A particular detail I loved was the use of handheld microphones throughout the play. To me, this almost foreshadowed the transition and exchange of power and the throne throughout the story. During the prologue and opening scenes King Duncan speaks boldly and clearly, addressing the audience and commanding our attention just as a rightful king should. Later on, in the first half of the play, Both Macbeth and Banquo are invited to give a speech and given the mic. When given the power of the microphone, Macbeth is unsure of himself and flounders over his words for an uncomfortably long period of time. This mimics his paranoid nature when seizing reign over Scotland. Banquo on the other hand is short, clear and concise when on the mic. And finally at the end of the play the microphone returns to herald in king Malcom (played as the perfect typical teenager by Shannon Thomas.

To conclude, every meticulous detail in Sport for Jove’s Macbeth, enrichens the story and leaves you thinking not about a nervous knight and his insane wife, but about what good people are forced to sacrifice when corrupted by evil.

Ah, Macbeth… one of (in my opinion) Shakespeare’s best plays. This production, presented by Sport for Jove, takes this legendary play and places it in a modern light, while still keeping all the beautiful language of Shakespeare. The show was presented at Empire Theatre for its final production with a cast of only nine actors, who exceled at capturing the atmosphere and emotions that make Macbeth such a great play to experience.

This performance of Macbeth follows the story of the titular character, Macbeth, as he quickly rises to royalty in 21^st century Scotland. Macbeth, who after a devastating war in which he fought, Hears a prophecy from a band of three witches, and along with his grief-stricken wife, set out on a journey to gain power. One of the biggest details people gloss over in Macbeth is that Macbeth has lost a child, something that is shown during the opening scene. This simple fact gives the audience a feel for why Lady Macbeth would want her husband to murder the king, as him and all of Macbeth’s comrades have had multiple children, showing an element of jealousy and sorrow behind her actions during the play. We also see that Macbeth suffers from PTSD because of the war he helped fight in. This PTSD leads Macbeth to hating king Duncan and calling for revolution during the first scene.

There were two stand out performances that I would like to mention. The first being Macbeth himself, as the emotional turmoil that the actor portrayed on stage was simply astounding! Never in my life have I ever seen a more gut-wrenching performance. The actor that played Macbeth genuinely looked like he had killed someone and that he was going insane. The other mention was of the Porter, as his performance was really hilarious! The Scottish accent combined with the Porter’s comedic role made me cackle several times.

In conclusion, Sport for Jove’s production of Macbeth was simply one of the best. From the emotional pain that Macbeth and Lady Macbeth displayed to the impeccable and well-timed humour, to the inventive use of the set, Macbeth was a must-see performance that was captivating, thought provoking, and funny. If there is only one Shakespeare play that you ever see, let it be this one.

“It reminds me of our place in the universe, at least it reminds me!” 

Soul Trading written by Kate Walder and performed by the 2025 Empire Theatre Junior Impact Ensemble was one of the most hilarious whilst also heartwarming plays I have ever seen.  

Soul Trading tells the story of five school students in 2079 who each have an AI soulmate who was designed by the child’s parents with a future and all personality and characteristic traits prechosen. The AI soulmates would attend school with each of their children and assist them in pursuing their future whilst also assisting with general everyday tasks. But Geri is different, Geri doesn’t have a soulmate so instead she sneaks into the school’s library to print a soulmate: Neutron. Soulmates should never be printed on a 3D school printer and thus, Neutron is different to the other soulmates, she has a soul!

Soul Trading emphasises the disaster but also explores the happiness AI provides and depicts what the future may be like as AI and technology become our new normal. I personally felt I could resonate with the storyline behind Soul Trading as AI has already started to replace human careers, it wouldn’t surprise me to watch AI become everything in our world including taking care of children instead of parents.  

This cast was incredibly fantastic being between 10 to 14-year-olds from right here in Toowoomba but personally, my eyes were particularly captured by Neutron portrayed by Sammy Cheetham. The incredible acting capabilities and emotional execution of the performance by the cast was impeccable, and I couldn’t feel prouder of them for two incredible performances. Credit must be given to the Director Grace Sankey and Assistant Directors Eddie Pocknee and Ella Bentley on the incredible skills and knowledge to direct Soul Trading.   

An incredible congratulations to this cast and crew on an incredible performance which touched the hearts of many and provided many laughs!

Come From Away (originally developed in Canada) and now showing at The Empire Theatre tells the Heartwarming story of a small community overcoming the challenges faced after 9/11. This true story focuses on the remote town of Gander, Newfoundland where 7,000 passengers had to make an emergency stop following all planes being grounded due the tragic 9/11 attacks. The show tackles the difficult but very real topics of homophobia, racism, anxiety and the loss of loved ones. Although it may sound dreary and sad on paper, Come From Away manages to tell these poignant stories while still having the audience laughing and singing along, all the way through! Using humour, song and direct address Come From Away will make you laugh, cry and sing “I am an Islander!”.

The ensemble of 21 actors worked together flawlessly, making great use of the minimalistic stage design while effortlessly tackling the challenge of playing multiple complex roles, with a particularly strong performance from Jon Maskell as Claude, the Mayor (and a real person!). The wonderfully talented team of actors portrayed at times both a united community voice and overlapping chaos of a divided town under pressure. Taking the audience with them every step of the way without making them ever feel weighed down by the heavy subject matter, as the darker themes are juxtaposed with the utter hilarity provided by characters such as Annette (Gander local) and the two Kevins (LA couple).

Highlights from the show include the opening song, which is energetic light-hearted and punchy. Also, the pub scene in which “da plane people” and the Islanders finally become fully united as several of them become honorary Newfoundlanders. Furthermore, another heartwarming scene is shared between Beulah (Islander) and Hannah (Plane Person) as they bond over the shared experience of both having firefighter sons. These beautiful moments are the ones that hold the show together and the actors should congratulate themselves for playing them so adeptly.

From the Soundtrack to the set and the lighting Come From Away was constantly entertaining and packed a beautiful message as it effectively reminded us that “Because we come from everywhere we all come from away”

A heartwarming story of tragedy and togetherness, Come from Away was certainly one of the most touching and memorable musicals I have ever seen!

Come from Away presents a 6-show season in the main auditorium of The Empire Theatre closing March 23rd. Under the direction of an incredible creative team led by David Wynen – the director and choreographer, this musical touched the hearts of everyone who attended.

Come from Away is the story of 7000 passengers stranded within the aftermath of 9/11. These passengers were warmly welcomed into Gander, a small Canadian town in Newfoundland where they were offered shelter, food, water, blankets, clothing and other necessities.

Each and every actor involved in this show including the incredible orchestra and backstage singers brought this magnificent show to life. This is the most emotionally touching show I have ever been privileged to see, and this incredible cast truly brought the emotional execution required to bring this musical the justice it deserves.

The set designed by Frances Story was absolutely immaculate and gave the atmosphere from the moment you walked through the doors into The Empire. The costuming was absolutely incredible and added an extra level of depth to the storyline. The lighting and sound effects were also perfectly executed and all added to the effect that this show provided.

To know that Come from Away was presented by Toowoomba locals just made it even better. The creative team along with the cast, orchestra and backstage singers presented an amazing show that definitely left me speechless with teary eyes.

Don't miss Come From Away, tickets available on The Empire website. 

We sent our newest and youngest Highlighter, seven-year-old Sterling, to see The Very Hungry Caterpillar on its visit to The Empire this February. This colourful children’s show, filled with vibrant puppets, brought some classic picture books to life. After the show, we asked Sterling what he thought:

First off, there was more to the story than just The Very Hungry Caterpillar! “There was a Spider one, a Duck one, and Bear, Bear, What Do You See?” Sterling explained. “A bear sees lots of creatures and that’s all. Then there’s the spider one, where the animals talk to her but she ignores them because she’s too busy spinning her web. And the duck one is just, well, the duck factory makes a box of ducks, and then it goes on a cargo ship, and they all get lost.”

Sterling’s favourite of the stories? Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See because he’d read it before in “Japan”.

“You read it in Japan?” we asked.

“Yeah, not in English.”

“Oh, you mean in Japanese?

“Yeah, they didn’t say it in English, they said it in Japan.”

“Oh… and where did you read that one?”

“In Japan.”

(Sterling’s Mum confirms that he’s definitely never been to Japan. But clearly, his Japanese class has been picking some great storybooks!)

One of the best parts for Sterling was how the puppets looked just like the book illustrations. “They didn’t look realistic, but they were pretty,” he said, especially his favourite puppet, the Goldfish.

“What happened to the Goldfish?” we asked.

“Oh, he’s not here anymore. He’s only inside Bear, Bear, What Do You See? Because even in the Ducks, where they get lost in the ocean, they didn’t use the Goldfish. They only used Arctic creatures, like a polar bear and a dolphin.”

He also loved the Whale’s big entrance, especially how they made its puppet. “They kind of just showed his tail and the top of his head, like he was splashing up for a breath.”

And of course, there were plenty of funny moments! Sterling’s top picks? The Purple Cat hissing and The Caterpillar getting really “chonky.”

When we asked if the show used music or sound in a fun way, Sterling gave the most seven-year-old answer possible: “Yeah.”

“Yeah, how?”

“Like… with speakers.”

He did elaborate, though! He loved how the music made the show feel “smooth” and “like a great thing.” The set was “pretty cool” too, with doors, walls, and windows for the animals to pop out of, like a Horse!

So, who should see The Very Hungry Caterpillar? According to Sterling: “Any person who likes the story.” And why? “Because it’s so funny and pretty.”

We couldn’t have said it better ourselves! 🐛✨

Romeo and Juliet is one of the most iconic stories ever told; forever intertwined with passion, love, hate, revenge, expectation and destiny. However, it is also one of the most overdone stories. Every person who has been through the pleasure (not) of 9th/10th grade has had to delve into the tale of those two lovers. 

STARCROSSED however is a beautifully told modernisation of the tale that captures exactly what it can be like growing up in the present day; the messy, the beautiful, the funny, the reckless. I was delighted to find that it was written and produced by a group of Toowoomba’s youth, which makes sense why it resonated with me and I’m sure many others, with tasteful references that didn’t feel like cheap excuses by out-of-touch adults trying to appeal to 'kids these days'.

The camp setting, characters and their motivations, plot and set design all created an engaging atmosphere that truly had me hooked from the start. The comedic choices were brilliant, the dynamics felt organic, and the actors in the Senior IMPACT Ensemble showed true dedication and talent that left me speechless. This is not to say the show didn’t have any gripping moments; quite the contrary. Between scenes, a haunting eerie voice would speak as if cursing the campers, changing the tone completely. The twists and out-of-the-blue developments left me on the edge of my seat by the end, watching everything unravel in front of me.

My favourite funny scene would have to be any scenes with the camp leaders Charlie (Levi Paroz) and Phineas (Ben Thomas). Their comedic choices and timing were brilliant and had me laughing every time they came on stage (and running off it). My favourite deeper storyline however had to be the reveal of Rei’s (Lara Anderson) secret to Eli (Logan Sanders). As a queer kid, it single handedly explained exactly how I feel while also showing one of my biggest fears on the stage. I felt seen.

STARCROSSED is definitely a production I hope to see again one day and one that will stick with me. Its relatability, comedy, emotion and atmosphere created one epic show. Congratulations to everyone who worked on this show, it was definitely a pleasure to watch. 

Although I have seen many musicals and productions in my life, this production was certainly one I will cherish forever.

STARCROSSED was the story of rivalry, revenge and romance performed within a 90-minute show in the Empire Theatre’s Heritage Bank Theatre. Under the guidance of the Empire Youth’s Arts team, Toowoomba’s Senior IMPACT Ensemble 2024 presented a two-show season here at the Empire.

This modernised version of Romeo and Juliet depicted how theatre can bring our youth together even if it means they must undergo many challenges to unite. This performance was continuously taking unexpected twists and turns which added an extra element of excitement and curiosity throughout.

My favorite element of this production was the way in which it featured a group of Toowoomba’s youths and gave them an opportunity to write and bring to life a production that will stay in their hearts for many years to come. Seeing how this show depicted the challenges we are currently facing through societal expectations made me realise just how much of a struggle our youth face.

Each and every actor in STARCROSSED brought such a level of talent and professionalism to the show which made me so grateful to be growing up surrounded by such talented young artists. There wasn’t a point in the show where I thought the actors could have brought any more enthusiasm to this show as there was always such a positive energy that you could feel was between the cast even in the times of tragedy throughout the show.

The way in which the stage was set for the show was an incredibly effective use of space and really helped to add an extra level to the storyline with a realistic summer camp set. The costuming was spectacular as it truly was so special to that summer camp.

STARCROSSED truly was a show that I could never forget through the incredible acting and dedication of our Toowoomba Senior IMPACT Ensemble 2024.

Our Egg Named Larry was a heartwarming and well-constructed stage show performed by the 2024 Junior IMPACT Ensemble, showcasing the ups and downs of friendship and teamwork. The play was Co-written and Directed by Grace Sankey and with Sheldon Mcloughlin, and input was provided from the cast to make the production similar to modern life, including the use of everyday Gen Z language.

In Our Egg Named Larry the characters are given a task by their teacher to prove they are responsible enough to go to the school disco. Despite the students’ beliefs that it is unfair, they are assigned a project to take care of an egg, which they later name Larry, together. Over the course of the show, you get to watch as the relationships between each of the characters develop, and how the trust within their group blooms.

This production was very comedic and fun, but also includes themes that are a little deeper, and that some people might be able to relate to. The cast did amazing job at expressing how sometimes it is painful to get everyone to work together, especially if they are Year 9 students with completely different personalities.

Together the cast of Our Egg Named Larry was incredible, but individually they all did such an amazing job. As someone who relates to the character Brian and his experience with his parents separating, watching his monologue and his unveiling of those emotions of confusion and frustration was brilliant. Overall, the casts performances and how the trust between the characters grew, was something I will never forget.

I loved how the lights spotlighted on an individual character to give them a moment of solidarity, allowing them to express how they really felt; for example when the lighting focused onto Summer and she told the audience about how she feels the need to keep everyone happy. I also really enjoyed the use of the area, extending from just on stage to in front of the curtains to make it feel like they were really in different places.

Once again, this play is must-see production by some very talented young actors who have worked very hard to make this the best show they can, which they have definitely succeeded in. It included teamwork, trust and friendship between a group of clumsy Year 9 students and an egg named Larry.