YOUTH ACTING: AGES 11 - 13
JUNIOR PROGRAM
The Youth Acting Program is a four term training program.
At 16th Street, we believe that storytellers are vital. We are committed to supporting emerging young actors, to develop their artistic and communication skills. We provide the technical skills to enable young people to find joy in performance and to craft stories they are passionate about telling.
The Program has been designed specifically to take young actors on an exciting journey of self-discovery, self-empowerment and creativity. The acting program provides a foundation and prepares young people who wish to have a career in the film, theatre and television industries. It also provides young people with valuable life skills.
YEARLY BREAKDOWN
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Young actors build ensemble skills through play, improvisation, and acting techniques. They develop confidence, vocal projection, and stage presence while learning to work creatively with others.
Build ensemble and teamwork
Learn basic acting techniques
Explore improvisation and play
Develop vocal projection and clarity
Build confidence and stage presence
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Actors begin scene work, exploring character and story. They grow their individuality, deepen empathy and listening skills, and discover the joy of performing as a group.
Explore character and emotion
Strengthen empathy and listening
Celebrate individuality
Experience the joy of performance
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In term three, young actors explore different acting techniques applicable to stage and screen. The term focuses on character creation and seeing the world from another’s perspective while connecting to what is common to us all.
Text work for theatre and film
Script work on scenes and monologues, and
Camera technique (self tapes/screen tests)
Self-awareness
Compassion
Focus and discipline
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In term four, young actors embrace their storytelling ability through the creation of self-devised work for either the stage or the screen. Young people are supported to tell stories they are passionate about and create characters they would love to play.
Develop storytelling skills (narrative and structure)
Exploration of different performance styles, rehearsal, and
Performance skills for self-devised work and or theatre or film text.
KAIYA JONES
Meet one of our Junior Program teacher, Kaiya Jones.
Originally from Scotland, Kaiya has been living & working professionally as an actor in Melbourne, Australia since they were a child. Their work includes main cast roles on shows such as Neighbours and Party Tricks and Turn Up The Volume. Kaiya has lead guest roles on Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries (opposite Essie Davies) & Harrow (with Ioan Gruffudd). At the age of 17, she wrote, directed, & starred in her first short film, Coping (also starring Angourie Rice, Ditch Davey). The film was a finalist in the 2013 Tropfest, & won Kaiya an award for Best Female Actor. Their film Jolly Roger, premiered at Flickerfest, & was selected for Virgin Australia’s inbound flight entertainment and they have just finalised their next short; Tadpoles. Kaiya completed their MA in Professional Acting at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School (Prev grads include Daniel Day Lewis, Patrick Stewart and Olivia Colman) in the UK in 2018 and utilised these skills to expand into the world of audiobooks, working internationally for Penguin Random House, WFHowes and Bolinda Audio.
It is Kaiya’s joy to share her knowledge & experiences via coaching young actors on navigating the industry both technically, creatively and mindfully.
Noni Hazlehurst AM, is the Ambassador of the 16th Street Youth Program. Noni is a passionate advocate for the arts and their importance in the lives of young people. 16th Street is grateful for her guidance and support in our shared mission; to foster the unique talents, emotional well-being and dreams of our youth.
“What’s special about the 16th Street Youth Programs? They are designed to help young people understand their uniqueness as well as their shared humanity, to provide a safe and kind place where they can come to grips with their pain and joy, their strengths and weaknesses, and to support them in their desire to serve as storytellers. There are many acting schools, but very few which I can recommend wholeheartedly, especially for young people.” -Noni Hazlehurst Actor, Director & Producer
DETAILS
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2026
Term 1: February 1st - March 22nd
Term 2: April 26th - June 14th
Term 3: July 19th - September 6th
Term 4: October 11th - November 29th
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Sundays; 10am - 12pm
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$2048 incl GST (term 1-4) ($512 per term)
Or
4 x instalments of $562 incl GST ($2248 total) -
16th Street’s acting essentials program is ideal for any aspiring actor, who wants to understand what it takes to be a professional working actor and who wishes to start formal training.
This program is designed to be experienced either as part of the module series (3 in total) or as a self-contained 8-week module.
No Experience is required. Class placement is based on an interview with Associate Artistic Director Harry Haynes and at the discretion of the studio admissions and faculty.
*Teachers may change due to availability
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