Real stories of young people who have experienced the youth justice system on stage in Saplings at Arts Centre Melbourne

The Australian Theatre for Young People’s (ATYP) acclaimed production, Saplings, is set to make its Victorian premiere at The Show Room, Arts Centre Melbourne from 28 July to 1 August, 2026.

Written by Yuwaalaraay playwright Hannah Belanszky and directed by proud Kalkadoon woman Abbie-lee Lewis, the work is a powerful look at the youth justice system through the eyes of young Australians.

 

 

Saplings is a collection of hilarious and heartbreaking stories about young people in conflict with the youth justice system, drawn from workshops and interviews with incarcerated youth from Marrickville to Moree.

Set to a soundtrack of rap and hip-hop music created by young people in the youth justice system, Saplings gives an honest, raw look into the adult consequences faced by some of our most vulnerable individuals.

 

 

Director Abbie-lee Lewis:

In 2022, with Raise The Age, Australia debated whether a child could be held criminally responsible at the age of 10. In 2026, some Australian states have implemented Adult Crime, Adult Time laws. The conversation continues but it’s not happening with the people it directly affects – the young people.

Four talented young actors take on multiple roles in this poetic, personal, and unexpected production that leaves the audience asking who’s really to blame.  Talijah Blackman-Corowa (Black Snow, Plum, The Death of Bunny Munro), Maliyan Blair (ABC’s Total Control), Sam Harmon (RENT, 50th Anniversary tour of Jesus Christ Superstar) and Danny Howard, who is making his acting debut for ATYP, bring to life the stories of today’s youth battling a legal system that doesn’t want them to succeed.

Saplings premiered at the 2024 Sydney Festival, winning the Sydney Theatre Award for Best Production for Young People. This year marks the work’s first major national tour commencing with a season at Sydney Opera House in May, before travelling to ten other venues across Queensland, Northern Territory, Tasmania, Victoria and regional New South Wales.

 

 

The Australian Theatre for Young People has been the flagship home for young people to create, perform, and tell their stories since 1963. They create theatre by and for young people, championing their stories, perspectives, and potential. It delivers an annual program of performances, workshops, and artist development programs to empower and build the next generation of storytellers and audiences.

A delicate story of challenge and possibility ★★★★ Sydney Morning Herald

This play is authentic, raw, brutal, and very moving” ★★★★★ Sydney Arts Guide

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Season Details

Venue: Arts Centre Melbourne
Date: 28 July – 01 Aug 2026

For more information click HERE