Your Story, Your Stage: Call for Young Storytellers

Are you between 18 and 24 years old? Got a true story burning to be told? Centre for Stories and the Blue Room Theatre are seeking expressions of interest from young people to participate in our Storytelling on Stage program – an exciting program that transforms personal narratives into captivating performances.

February 6, 2025

Centre for Stories’ youth program The Spark, in partnership with the Blue Room Theatre, is thrilled to announce this unique theatrical storytelling initiative. Under the guidance of industry professionals Ange Yang and Jake Dennis, participants will learn how to transform their real-life experiences into engaging stage performances. Stage experience not required – just bring your story and a dash of courage. (We’ll help with the rest, promise!)

This program is fully funded by the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries (DLGSC) and Healthway, making it completely free for participants.

What is the program?

After considering applications, up to eight individuals will be invited to co-design the storytelling program with Centre for Stories and have their final performance at The Blue Room Theatre.

The dates for the workshops:

Saturday 15 March, 12-2pm at The Blue Room Theatre
Saturday 22 March, 12-2pm at The Blue Room Theatre
Saturday 29 March, 12-2pm at The Blue Room Theatre
Saturday 5 April, 12-2pm at The Blue Room Theatre
Thursday 10 April (rehearsals anytime from 8am to 5pm) at The Blue Room Theatre
Saturday 12 April – Final Performance at 4pm at The Blue Room Theatre

All workshop participants will:

Learn fundamental storytelling, narrative techniques, and theatre performance tips.
Improve their public speaking and confidence.
Bond and connect with new people, hearing fascinating and moving stories from their community.
Have a unique opportunity to share their experiences on stage.

What kind of stories are we looking for?

We’re seeking true, personal stories from young people aged 18-24. Your story can be about anything that matters to you – a life-changing moment, a meaningful relationship, a personal discovery, or an everyday experience that left a lasting impact. The key is that it must be your story, something you’ve personally experienced.

We are particularly interested in diverse voices and perspectives from young people of all backgrounds, including but not limited to those identifying as First Nations, Culturally and Linguistically Diverse, LGBTQIA+, living with a disability and/or experiencing financial hardship.

If consent is provided by you, the storytellers, your stories may also be recorded and shared online through Centre for Stories.

For venue accessibility information, please click here: https://blueroom.org.au/booking-venue/accessibility/.

About the Facilitators:

Ange Yang is a Malaysian-Australian writer, essayist and storyteller based in Boorloo (Perth). She uses her appetite to explore questions around food and identity. Her writing has been published by SBS, WA Good Food Guide, Broadsheet and Gourmet Traveller. She shares the joys, laughter and chaos that comes with growing up Asian-Australian in performances at Blue Room Theatre, Barefaced Stories and Centre for Stories. Find her @vegemitecongee.

Jake Dennis/Poet of Jazz is a singer, actor, poet, and educator from Boorloo/Perth, Western Australia. A soulful jazz, swing, blues, pop, and soul vocalist, Jake Dennis captivates audiences with heartfelt performances. For over twenty-five years, Jake has performed shows at WA’s best venues incl. DownStairs at His Majesty’s Theatre, Ellington Jazz Club, Universal Bar, Perth Town Hall, and the Don Russell, Kalamunda, Koorliny, Mandurah, and Subiaco Performing Arts Centres. He has appeared on Foxtel, Madonna’s Rebel Heart Tour DVD, Backyard Survivor, Access 31, Aurora TV, RTR FM, Telethon, Pirate Radio, Heritage Radio, & Twin Cities Radio. Find him @poetofjazz

Scroll down to complete the expression of interest form to become part of Storytelling on Stage program. APPLICATIONS CLOSE MARCH 12 AT 11:59PM.

Name *

First

Last

Date of Birth *

Email *

Phone *

Residential Post Code *

What are your pronouns?

Do you identify as any of the following: culturally and linguistically diverse, Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, living with a disability, LGBTQIA+, and/or experiencing financial hardship and housing insecurity, none of the above, or Other?

Please share as much as you like about your identity if you feel comfortable doing so. Centre for Stories encourages the diverse voices within our community, that have historically been marginalised and silenced, to speak up and share their experiences.

Do you have an idea of the story you are interested in sharing? *

Remember that the story should be true, real things you have experienced. It does not have to be very long – a few sentences is fine. The idea(s) you submit here do not have to be the final story you craft in the workshop, but we encourage you to share what ideas come to mind based on the idea of “connection”. We are particularly interested in stories about connection to place and community. You will have time to change your mind about what story you share.

The workshops are currently scheduled on 15, 22 and 29 March, and on 5 and 10 April, with final performance on Saturday 12 April. Please acknowledge if you can commit to attending these workshops below. *

Clicking ‘no’ here is not necessarily a disqualifying factor.

If you have a preference for meeting on other days in the week, please detail below.

(E.g. prefer to meet on Sundays or Tuesday evenings.)

Help us do more

We’re on a mission to create a diverse, inclusive, and cohesive society through the art of storytelling. Join us in supporting emerging artists and sharing powerful stories from across our community.

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