April 11th was a momentous occasion for BYT as they performed their latest piece on sexual health at the PASH conference held at the Byron Sports and Cultural Centre.  Attended by over 400 people, 250 of which were young people who came from 15 regional schools, with highly respected Key note speakers from interstate as well as many local professionals, the inaugural Positive Adolescent Sexual Health conference was a huge success.
As one of several workshop choices during the day, BYT had to turn away some people on both scheduled performances as the room was full to capacity each time.
The response to every scene which covered issues such as first experiences, sexually transmitted infections, abuse, sexual identity and orientation and love and intimacy was overwhelmingly positive.  Lisa Apostolides, Director of BYT facilitated some group discussion activities afterwards that allowed audience and Company members to interact and share more on areas of interest.
Adult audience members including a local Lawyer who deals specifically with young people and a Project Officer from the Department of Education and Communities for NSW congratulated the Company on their moving performances and creative and powerful devising skills.  
There is already talk of a local public performance for those who were unable to attend the conference and to get some strong messages out into the community on sexual health as well as more schools performances next Term if funding is sourced.
The very next weekend was BLUES FESTIVAL and out came the infamous Brain suit which was worn by Sahaj Blatt, Hayley Acton, Ebony Webb and Bridie Duff on different days accompanied by Lisa Apostolides.  Much fun was had even in the extreme heat and dust with festival goers as they shared the message of having fun at festivals without getting messy!, looking after yourself and each other and going slow on the alcohol consumption.  BYT are very grateful to festival organisers and BYS to get the opportunity to go to Blues each year.
The Company resume their regular meeting session TUESDAY 29th April 4-6pm at the YAC and are excited to start their Street& Event Theatre project made possible by Byron Youth Council Youth Activity Grant.  During this time they will create a specific piece that can be taken ( hopefully) to Splebdour in the Grass, Mullum Music Festival, Woodford Folk Festival and the Falls Festival.  They will benefit from a facilitated session by Valley Lipcer, local Director of RoundAbout Theatre who provides Street theatre entertainment interstate as well as locally.
BYT were disappointed to miss out on a Youth Development and Support Grant applied for last year as the current Government have decided to close the entire program!  They are eagerly awaiting to hear on a couple of other grants that will enable them to develop their Mental health project further as well as a new piece focusing on illicit drugs.
For more information about any projects, how to join, how to donate or more grants that we can apply for please contact Lisa on 0403023693 or byronyouththeatre2481@gmail.com or facebook page: Byron Youth Theatre