History of Northland Youth Theatre
NYT was founded in April 1984 by Alan Palmer to provide a Whangarei based professionally run Youth Theater to deliver quality live theatre in Forum North.
The first production was “Driftwood” commissioned by Alan, written by Rachel McAlpine and Directed by Sunny Amey along with 2 other works, A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Invader. All three were presented at Forum North in the summer of 1985.
In the 40yrs since the first production NYT has performed over 100 shows in various venues and spaces around Whangarei and beyond.
In the early years the productions were staged over the summer months at Forum North. Students came from all over Northland, were billeted out and spent several weeks rehearsing before performing their work for up-to 3 weeks.
There has been many changes over the intervening years, most notably to funding and venue availability.
Despite this NYT continues to thrive and now runs classes and performances throughout the year. In 2012 the summer production was revived with performances of Odyssey at the Quarry arts Centre. We continue this tradition today alongside multiple other performances and events throughout the year!
Over the years many of our students and past collaborators have gone on to successful careers in the arts including: Cathryn Monro, visual artist who designed some of the early productions. Rachel House, Actor/Director. Mark Burlace, Head of programming Melbourne Festival. Laurel Devenie, Actor/Director. Anna Cameron, Senior Producer at the NZ International Arts Festival.
The first production was “Driftwood” commissioned by Alan, written by Rachel McAlpine and Directed by Sunny Amey along with 2 other works, A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Invader. All three were presented at Forum North in the summer of 1985.
In the 40yrs since the first production NYT has performed over 100 shows in various venues and spaces around Whangarei and beyond.
In the early years the productions were staged over the summer months at Forum North. Students came from all over Northland, were billeted out and spent several weeks rehearsing before performing their work for up-to 3 weeks.
There has been many changes over the intervening years, most notably to funding and venue availability.
Despite this NYT continues to thrive and now runs classes and performances throughout the year. In 2012 the summer production was revived with performances of Odyssey at the Quarry arts Centre. We continue this tradition today alongside multiple other performances and events throughout the year!
Over the years many of our students and past collaborators have gone on to successful careers in the arts including: Cathryn Monro, visual artist who designed some of the early productions. Rachel House, Actor/Director. Mark Burlace, Head of programming Melbourne Festival. Laurel Devenie, Actor/Director. Anna Cameron, Senior Producer at the NZ International Arts Festival.