The Empire Youth Arts Ensemble is Ready for IMPACT
The Empire’s youngest artists have kicked off rehearsals for their original production, Our Egg Named Larry, to be performed from July 12-13.
Now in its 14th year, the audition-based elite performance program IMPACT sees a Junior Ensemble cast of eight aged 13-14, dive into the funny, heartwarming and at times ridiculous story of a group of students who are assigned to a project to keep a fragile egg named Larry in one piece.
An original theatre piece, Our Egg named Larry was written by The Empire Youth Arts Lead Grace Sankey and co-writer Sheldon Mcloughlin, with ensemble members to contribute to the script writing process, drawing on discoveries they make about their own characters as rehearsals continue.
“This year’s Junior Ensemble has a mixture of experience levels with some members who have done this program before and some who will be going on stage for the very first time,” Miss Sankey said.
I am so grateful to be in the rehearsal room with these amazing young people, creating something so uniquely special to them, celebrating who they are and what they are capable of.
Grace Sankey - The Empire Youth Arts Lead
“I am so grateful to be in the rehearsal room with these amazing young people, creating something so uniquely special to them, celebrating who they are and what they are capable of,” she said.
“IMPACT is an incredibly unique offering to the young people in our community and this group are excited to share their ideas and thoughts as we work towards our performances in July.”
The IMPACT program continues with the 2024 Senior Ensemble soon to commence rehearsals.
This performance is made possible thanks to the support of the University of Southern Queensland and The Empire Foundation.
Tickets to Our Egg Named Larry are on sale now.
Photo: Mataya Forster, Eliza Kinniburgh, Chelsea Rogers, Samantha Cheetham, Edward Pocknee, Majella Ford, Minea Tao. Absent: Joshua Walkington
#What’s New
After four sold-out shows in September of this year, Theatre of Magic is returning by popular demand to The Empire for a six-month series of performances.
The Empire Foundation has continued their commitment to supporting and nurturing the young performers of the region with the presentation of the 2024 Empire Youth Bursaries.
The Southern Queensland Regional Arts Services Network (RASN) will shine a light on talented artists across Southern Queensland with the creation of a high-quality publication aimed at celebrating the spirit and stories of Southern Queensland art and culture.
A remarkable true story of unity, humanity and hope lands on The Empire stage when Tony and Olivier Award-winning hit Broadway musical Come From Away performs from 14 – 23 March 2025.
The Empire’s popular family festival Thrive on Arts will return from September 26-29, celebrating all things nature and the environment.
In the lead-up to 2024 NAIDOC Week celebrations, The Empire launched their Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) in support of their ongoing commitment to fostering reconciliation in Australia.
