New BREC program aims to develop young theatre talent

Award-winning theatre director and producer Kathryn Osborne has been announced as the artistic director of a new Youth Theatre pilot program to be run at the Bunbury Regional Entertainment Centre next year.

Miss Osborne is a co-founder of Perth’s prolific theatre makers the Last Great Hunt and she won the 2016 WA Young Achiever Award for the Arts.

She also had success as the artistic director of Mandurah’s Riptide Youth Performance Company and has recently returned from London where she worked at the Old Vic Theatre on a large-scale musical.

The program aims to give 15 to 25-year-olds the opportunity to develop skills in making original productions, performing and gaining experience behind the scenes.

Miss Osborne said she was excited to be a part of the program which would bring new opportunities to the youth of the region.

“I am excited about the opportunity to work with the passionate young creatives of Bunbury,” she said.

“These new opportunities are designed to welcome local young people who are starting out on the journey to becoming performers and performance makers.”

Centre executive director Sharon Custers said the program cemented BREC’s commitment to supporting the young community.

“We feel that Bunbury can benefit from the success Katt Osborne has had in Mandurah and empower our young people to let their voice be heard.

“It’s time to shake things up a bit,” she said.

The program will be split into two semesters, with the first running from January to June.

The semester will consist of a range of master class workshops with professional artists, as well as the creation of the first original production.

BREC will host a free initial workshop as part of the Youth Theatre Open Day on December 3 from 10.30am to 1.30pm to give participants a taste of the program.

Register for the open day at bunburyentertainment.com.