The Ballad of Phony Maggot, a satirical slightly political whacky piece of Street Theatre

premiered at Splendour in the Grass, amusing and entertaining festival goers last Saturday.

Made possible by being awarded a Youth Activities Grant from Byron Council, BYT had fun

creating their inaugural piece of Street Theatre inspired by the cuts the current Government have made to Youth and Arts programs.

"When Lisa told us about the Youth Development and Support program being abolished by the current government we felt inspired to use this opportunity to say something through Street Theatre. It was challenging as it is such a different form of theatre than we're used to

producing." shared Bridie Duff.  "Being out in the crowd at Splendour was a mixture of excitement, terrifying, mad and fantastic!". " This was such a great opportunity for us ( young people) to develop more theatre skills and we get to go to great festivals to perform" commented Eryn Thackray.

During the process of developing the piece, the Company were visited by Valley Lipcer who runs Roundabout Theatre. Valley has had extensive Street Theatre experience and her locally based company, that has a range of pieces & performers, are regularly commissioned by festivals and events nationally and internationally. It was great to create a connection with Valley and we hope that she may invite some of our Company to assist her in her future projects. www.roundabout.net.au/

Local costume designer, seamstress and circus performer/teacher Emma Woodburn was a

vital member of this production. Working alongside Lisa Apostolides, they were able to create

the awesome costumes that really bring the piece to life. The Company are extremely grateful to Emma who gave over and above on this project. Thank you Emma xx

BYT are now returning to develop their powerful piece of Social Action Theatre titled originally titled Mind Made Me. This piece focuses on mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, nonsuicidal, self harm and negative body image and was a key component of the Mental health Matters School Based Days that toured schools October 2013.

A Country Arts Support Program grant is allowing BYT to refine this piece and add some new

scenes incorporating feedback from youth & community audiences. It is hoped that BYT will be awarded another Australian Mental Health Association grant that will see their new piece tour schools again this October.

"We witnessed so many young people benefitting from last year's performances & workshops of Mind Made Me that we really want to share it more, if possible every year. It covers ongoing issues and therefore needs to be seen on a regular basis, not by just one year group" shares Hayley Acton ( BYT Company Member).

Mind Made Me will also be presented at an international conference called Connecting Minds,

held by Australian Society for Psychological Medicine, National Faculty of Specific Interests &

Royal Australian College of General Practitioners in Byron Bay this September.

Having also been awarded a Nortec Communities grant to create a new piece on illicit drug use, the Company will also be starting their research, interviewing and surveying phase in the coming months. If you are willing to be interviewed about previous illicit drug use or know someone who is please get in contact with Lisa. 

All information shared is confidential.

With the possibility of 2 small grants coming through that will see further facilitator training

happening for BYT members, the next few months are looking rather FULL!!

Lisa Apostolides is also in conversation with Sprung Integrated Dance Company with a view to

partnering in a production in 2015.

If you are interested in joining, donating or finding out more about BYT please contact Lisa

Apostolides on 0403023693 or byronyouththeatre2481@gmail.com