Junior Ensemble Make Impact With Antarctic Tale of Survival

The 2023 Junior IMPACT Ensemble took their audiences to Antarctica and back during their annual production of Shack, performed in the Armitage Centre from June 14-15.

Written by George Kemp and proudly presented by the Empire Theatres Foundation, Shack told the story of nine school kids aged 10-13, stranded in an old shack during a blizzard, while a sinister force circles outside.

As the limits of their courage are pushed into uncharted waters, these young explorers question the nature of power and the power of nature.

The story of Shack was inspired by real world explorer Ernest Shackleton’s incredible attempt to be the first person to cross the Antarctic. His ship become stuck in the ice and eventually sank, leaving his crew drifting and stranded in the most isolated place in the world for more than two years before they were rescued, and all brought to safety.

Shack Director, Nicky Haeusler said the ensemble had risen to the challenge of the material, displaying wit, resilience, and compassion in the rehearsal room.

“This age group are natural expert storytellers and Shack tells a story about young people who are the same age as them going through the same challenges and asking the same big questions,” she said.

“Across the past five months, the 2023 Junior IMPACT Ensemble worked incredibly hard to bring the story of Shack to life.

Shack was proudly presented by the Empire Theatres Foundation and was the sixth Junior IMPACT production and 20th overall IMPACT production.

The Empire Youth Arts IMPACT program, featuring both a Junior and Senior Ensemble each year, is an audition based performance making program offering young artists the chance to tell their stories with the same level of quality and care as a professional production.