Creativity, nurtured and developed
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Inspire.
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Connect.
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Create.
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Victoria E. Lockhart is a Northern Beaches Local Mum who owns and runs the highly successful Smarty Pants Drama and Tutoring. She is passionate about Arts and Culture, Children's Theatre, Child Education and Humanism. Victoria approaches all her teaching from the position that boosting self-esteem and self-efficacy in the learner provides the foundation for a happy and successful path to knowledge and skill growth. Victoria continues to drive towards the collaborative goal of an abundance of Theatre and Drama studies and performance for the people of the Northern Beaches, especially for the children. From the bottom of her heart she believes that through exploration through Drama of life's many twists and turns, children are able to develop into wiser and happier adults. This is her aspiration.
Who are our directors?
Read about them individually below. Combined, they have many accomplishments but look forward to bringing their passion, community spirit, creative talents and nurturing skills to this re-igniting of the Northern Beaches Youth Theatre.
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Chantal Harrison is a Northern Beaches local singer, writer, actor and Mum who owns and runs Kids Acting Out Holiday Workshops but as a Northern Beaches Youth Theatre alumni herself, she has been dying to get it up and running again after a decade of dormancy. Her fond memories of NBYT include playing the role of Erica Yurken herself (far too many years ago) in the same play which was chosen for the 2021 revival of NBYT, Hating Alison Ashley. She is a Hand In Hand Parenting Instructor and Raise Volunteer Mentor who believes deeply in the inherent goodness of youth and the relief and empowerment the arts can help our young people unleash.
What people say about NBYT ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“Northern beaches Youth Theatre was a place to belong, grow, develop skills & make new friends. I started when I was in year two at primary school. We learnt drama/circus/physical theatre skills each week. Most of them were about based around team building, confidence boosting, physicality & engaging our imagination. At the end of each year we put on a stage production. During this period we were able to learn more about theatre production in general. Stage make up,costuming, lighting, sound, audio & back stage production if we showed an interest. It was a very inclusive organisation; we were all encouraged to ‘get stuck in’ & help out in the creative process. It was a fun place to be & very enriching timeof my youth.Many ex students used NBYT as a steppingstone. Some became English & Drama teachers, others went to NIDA Study set design & costuming, a few went on the work as professional theatre, musical theatre & film & television.”
— Jo-Anna Meth
“NBYT was everything and more I needed in a drama club as a teen. It was there that I discovered the joy of acting, collaborating with other creatives and understanding what it meant to be a part of a production from start to finish. The friendships I made there have lasted to this day. Once I finished performing, it was always a joy to mentor and teach others who were coming up through the theatre and I have such fond memories of seeing people develop and grow into their craft and enjoyment of the theatre.I owe NBYT a lot and I hope that it can continue to thrive so the next generation of young performers can enjoy what I enjoyed while being a part of a fantastic company of young creatives.”
— Harry Cook
“I am former student of Northern Beaches Youth Theatre. I have worked professionally in the performing arts for the last 15 years. I currently work as Creative Producer at ArtPlay, City of Melbourne - an arts studio for children. Prior to this position I worked as a freelance theatre director, producer and arts educator. I have directed work for Red Stitch Actors Theatre, Melbourne Theatre Company, Darwin Festival and Malthouse Theatre among others. I have also worked as a sessional lecturer at the Victorian College of the Arts and the National Theatre Drama school. I attribute much of my success in the arts to the education I received during the years I attended Northern Beaches Youth Theatre. These years not only developed my skills as an artist but also greatly improved my self-esteem, my literacy and my creative and lateral thinking. Beyond these skills it offered a community space that fostered collaboration, nurtured self-expression and gave agency to young people”
— Tanya Dickson
Partners & Affiliates
Free YA Writing Workshop
Northern Beaches Youth Theatre is running a free Young Adult Writer's Workshop on Tuesday 8 and Wednesday 9 September, 5:30 to 8pm, at 10 Jubilee Ave, Warriewood. Come to one session or both, whatever suits.
This workshop is for anyone aged 15 to 25 who wants to write, whether you've never put pen to paper before or you're looking to sharpen skills you already have. Across the two sessions, you'll explore narrative technique, build real writing habits, and work through practical exercises designed to get you actually on the page rather than stuck staring at a blank one. The creative skills you'll pick up translate well beyond playwriting too, useful for any kind of storytelling or creative writing.
By the end, you could have ten minute play underway, one that you can go on to submit to our NBYT Young Adult Short Play Festival, running 30 January 2027.
Completely free, thanks to support from Northern Beaches Council.
All experience levels welcome.
Register: bit.ly/NBYTWRITINGSEPT26
Do you have a story to tell?
Submit a 10 min play for our
YA Short Play Festival
NBYT Young Adult Short Play Festival, Writer Submissions
Got a ten minute play in you? We want to hear it. NBYT is now accepting submissions for our Young Adult Short Play Festival, running 30 January 2027 at Mona Vale Performance Space.
Open to writers aged 15 to 25, any experience level. Your play doesn't need to be polished or perfect, we're looking for original voices and stories worth telling, not just technical precision. Selected plays will be brought to life on stage by a director and cast, giving you the rare experience of seeing your own words performed in front of a real audience.
Submissions close 30 September 2026.
Submit here: bit.ly/NBYTWRITERS27
Want to direct a play in the NBYT YA Short Play Festival?
NBYT Young Adult Short Play Festival, Director Applications
Ever wanted to direct? Here's your shot. NBYT is now accepting director applications for our Young Adult Short Play Festival, running 30 January 2027 at Mona Vale Performance Space.
Open to aspiring directors aged 15 to 25, any experience level. You'll be matched with one of our selected ten minute plays and given the chance to bring it to life, working with a cast, shaping the vision, and stepping into a genuine leadership role in the rehearsal room. No experience needed. We will mentor you.
Applications close 30 September 2026.
Apply here: bit.ly/NBYTDIRECTORS27
Our next production
Written by Nathan Clift and performed by our incredible youth ensemble ages 12-17, The Cast Will Scream! is an immersive theatre whodunnit where the audience gets to decide the ending. Set during the final dress rehearsal of Grease, this play combines humour, mystery and a fun little twist that changes according to the audience. But don’t worry, only our talented cast have to get on stage!
Follow our journey.
Come be part of something.
Whether you're a teen ready to step onto the stage, a parent looking for the right fit, or someone who wants to support what we're building — we'd love to hear from you. NBYT is a community first and a theatre group second. Drop us a line and let's start the conversation.
