EDGE ENSEMBLES
PLAY, CREATE, COLLABORATE, BE ON STAGE.
For almost 30 years, this theatre program has been the beating heart of Western Edge, ensuring young people in Naarm’s West have space to express their creativity and can make art on their own terms.
This is a free program welcoming young people aged between 13 and 30 into a carefully designed and led creative process at different locations across the West. Weekly sessions build community, strengthen interpersonal skills, nurture creativity and teach artistic skills that are put into practise in a live show for the public.
Whether you want to meet friends and have fun or hone artistic craft with professionals and like-minded peers – we have space for you at Edge Ensembles. Please come as you are!
In delivering our Edge Ensembles program we prioritise:
- Inclusivity and diversity
- Respectful, welcoming rooms and ensembles
- Cultivating creativity through play and social responsibility
A Western Edge room is something different; it’s a place where you can be yourself, where your voice, story, culture and dreams are respected and celebrated. Western Edge celebrates diversity in all forms, and we strive to provide a safe(r) space for the young people of the West.
We understand that diversity is strength and people come with different abilities, needs and at unique points in their journey. We’ve had plenty of young people come through our rooms over 30 years: outgoing or shy, all-ideas or an observer, born artist or just here for mates (or somewhere in between) – you’re most welcome.
You’ll never go hungry in a Western Edge room. Food is at the heart of culture and connection, so we always break bread together.
Expect snacks at your weekly Edge workshop and delicious catering at group rehearsal days, production weeks and shows. No matter your dietary requirements, there’s something for everybody.
Edge Ensembles rooms are led by our amazing, friendly and diverse Lead and Support artists – many of whom got their first taste of the stage through this very program! Our Lead and Support Artists know what it’s like to be taking your first step into theatre/creative spaces and many currently work professionally on stage and screen across Australia (and internationally).
Learn from the best in the West, as they take you through a range of theatre and creative exercises and create a room that’s welcoming, fun and tailored to meet you.
You’re invited to devise, write, rehearse and perform in an original play for a live audience at the end of the program. Together as an ensemble, you’ll get to decide what stories you want to tell and how to tell them, as guided by your helpful Lead and Support Artists.
Not to worry! Our Lead and Support Artists are experts at getting you inspired, noticing your skills and ambitions, and leading you and the ensemble through a creative process to develop a show. Participation in the show is completely optional and led by you – we’ll never ask or expect you to do something you’re not comfortable with.
How the Program Works
FREE 2HR DROP-IN WORKSHOP
Each week, at each location, Lead and Support Artists run a theatre workshop where you can:
- Meet and get to know new people
- Play low-pressure, fun games
- Learn new performing art skills
- Express yourself creatively and develop/refine your craft
- Create and rehearse an original show
SHOW FOR THE PUBLIC
As weekly sessions progress, Lead and Support Artists will guide and help you through the process of creating an original show to put your new skills into practise and give you the chance to express yourself.
Each Edge location make one part of the final show. Lead and Support Artists expertly and collaboratively weave these parts together to make one complete show. The complete show plays for the public once in each of the three Edge locations at a theatre venue.
Involvement in the production is completely optional and how you’re involved (if you’d like to be) – is entirely up to you. There’s no pressure to do anything that you’re not comfortable with.
The production is a great chance for:
- Your friends and family to come along and see your work
- You to work with professionals
- You to perform on stage
About Your Lead and Support Artists
Your Lead Artist/s lead your workshop and room. They are experts at making you welcome, inspiring creativity, leading theatrical games and exercises and guiding you through developing and putting on your very own show.
- Skilled and experienced facilitators – they’ve worked with young people from all different walks of life and levels of experience
- Working artists in the sector – they work as actors, directors, theatre-makers, producers and more across Australian screen and stage. They know the creative process back to front and have practical expertise
- From Community – many started their creative journey in a Western Edge room, others have come to Western Edge later, but all are culturally and linguistically diverse with deep connections to the West
- Accredited in Child Safety – all staff at Western Edge hold current Victorian Working With Children Checks and are well versed on our own organisational Child and Young Person Safety Policy.
Your Support Artist/s assist your Lead Artist/s in delivering the workshop and are specifically there to make sure you and all participants are comfortable and have a friendly face to ask any questions to. Your Support Artist/s are there to lend a hand or an ear if you’re feeling nervous, loop you in if you’re unsure what’s going on or how to approach the workshop / other participants.
- Experienced and learning facilitators
- From Community – many started their creative journey in a Western Edge room, others have come to Western Edge later, but all are culturally and linguistically diverse with deep connections to the West
- Accredited in Child Safety – all staff at Western Edge hold current Victorian Working With Children Checks and are well versed on our own organisational Child and Young Person Safety Policy.
For more information, visit our Frequently Asked Questions or contact us at programs@westernedge.org.au
Edge Ensembles are supported by:
Brimbank City Council, Creative Brimbank and The Bowery Theatre, Maribyrnong City Council, Wyndham City Council, Newsboys Foundation, Hugh D.T. Williamson Foundation, Creative Victoria and Creative Australia
