Stage School Australia facts for kids

Stage School Australia is a place where young people learn performing arts. It started in 1984. The school is in Melbourne and Brisbane, Australia. Its main performing group is called the Young Australian Broadway Chorus. They also have the Australian Boys Dance Academy. Kids from 4 to 18 years old can take classes here.

History of Stage School Australia

Stage School Australia began in Melbourne in 1984. For many years, it was known as the Victorian Youth Theatre (VYT). Later, it changed its name to the Children's Performing Company of Australia (CPCA). Since 2014, it has been known as Stage School Australia.

Young Australian Broadway Chorus

In 1999, the school's performing groups became known as the Young Australian Broadway Chorus (YABC). The Age newspaper called the YABC "Melbourne's leading musical-theatre training organisation." The YABC teaches singing, dancing, and acting. They put on several shows each year. Many students from YABC have gone on to become professional performers.

Australian Boys Dance Academy

In 2014, the school opened the Australian Boys Dance Academy (ABDA). This was because many boys wanted to learn dance. Their early motto was "No tutus. No tights. We dance in pants." The ABDA teaches different dance styles. These include hip-hop, jazz, and tap dance.

Growth and Reach

Stage School Australia expanded to Brisbane in 2022. As of 2025, the school operates in 30 locations. These locations are across Melbourne and Brisbane. It has more than 200 teachers. Over 5,800 students attend classes. The organisation also rents out its stage sets, props, and costumes. Other shows can use these items.

Robert Coates is the artistic director as of 2025. He started working for Stage School in 1995. He has directed most of the big YABC shows.

Performances and Productions

Students at Stage School Australia perform at least twice a year. The Young Australian Broadway Chorus students perform in professional shows. They can also try out for shows during school holidays and for tours.

Major Shows

In 2010, the Young Australian Broadway Chorus performed Pure Imagination. This show was at the National Theatre in St Kilda, Melbourne. It featured classic songs from musicals. These included Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, Oliver!, Guys and Dolls, and Wicked.

In 2011, YABC was allowed to perform the Broadway musical Spring Awakening. A group of 24 students, aged 16 to 18, performed the full musical. This show was also at the National Theatre in St. Kilda. Their parents gave permission for them to perform.

In 2016, 74 performers from YABC were in Disney's Beauty and the Beast. This show was at the University of Melbourne Union Theatre.

Stage School Australia's first show in Brisbane was The Wizard of Oz. It was performed at the Draney Theatre in Ashgrove in 2024. In April 2025, they staged the musical Seussical. This show was also at the Draney Theatre. A review in The Scoop called it "a joyful, high-energy celebration of imagination."

Tours and Festivals

Since 1996, Stage School Australia has gone on tours. They have toured in Australia and to other countries. These countries include France, Germany, Italy, Singapore, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

In 1999, 15 performers from the Victorian Youth Theatre went on a three-week tour in the United States. They performed at places like Disneyworld in Florida and the Lincoln Center in New York.

In 2010, 40 performers from the YABC performed at the Adelaide Fringe festival. The Advertiser newspaper reviewed their Broadway Junior Collection musical. They called it "fabulous." The review said it had "a torrent of foot-tapping big numbers." It also had "good solo spots to showcase rising star material." There were "spirited dance routines and a bit of a story."

Notable Alumni

Many talented people have trained at Stage School Australia.

• Actor Deniz Akdeniz was found while performing with the Victorian Youth Theatre. He got a role in the Disney Channel's As the Bell Rings.
• Actor and media personality Maria Thattil trained at Stage School Australia as a teenager. She was crowned Miss Universe Australia 2020.
• Actor Samantha Tolj is known for playing police constable Kelly O'Rourke on Blue Heelers. She took weekend and holiday classes at Victorian Youth Theatre for six years, starting at age 10.
• Film and television actor Alex Tsitsopoulos trained at Victorian Youth Theatre.
• Actor Matthew Werkmeister played Zeke on Neighbours. He trained with the Children's Performing Company of Australia.