One Year On from our Young Company program, we catch up with some of our alumni to see what they learnt while working with Tara Theatre and details on what projects they’ve been working on since their performance of DNA in 2023…

One Year On from our Young Company program, we catch up with some of our alumni to see what they learnt while working with Tara Theatre and details on what projects they’ve been working on since their performance of DNA in 2023…

What skills did you learn as a part of Tara Theatre’s Young Company?

Performer Anna Constantinides highlights how the programme grounded her knowledge in how to make theatre, how to work in a company as well as gaining a better understanding of all the different roles and kinds of work that are a part of making theatre, and how to deal with nerves when performing.

Another cast member, Vikas Gogana explains “Throughout the process, I regained confidence in my abilities and further sharpened my devising skills. I always enjoy working with a group of creatives so this was a joyous experience to be able to create and play on a weekly basis, constantly sharpening my tool kit.”

Meanwhile, Assistant Stage Manager Stella Wang lists the vital work and skills learnt as a part of the program: from taping the rehearsal room and sourcing props to operating a show as well as all the paperwork that comes with being a stage manager!

Anson To, Assistant Lighting Designer tells us the many skills developed as part of the program included “Loads of technical knowledge – rigging, focusing, programming, the work flow of a lighting designer, where to look for jobs within the industry. I also learnt a lot about how a devised show is produced.”

How have these skills impacted your career as a creative?

“I have taken these skills and decided to hone my craft of acting and have taken up acting classes. I really enjoyed being a part of a company centring the global majority – I found it healing. I want to create work that has an big positive impact in a community, and Abdul has inspired me to do so. I have paired up with a Cypriot Turkish creative and we’re in the process of creating a piece of theatre about Cypriot identity. I have also started the on the pathway of producing and working as part of a creative team on a play about loneliness and illusion in the Australian wilderness” – Anna Constantinides, Actor

“I’ve taken what I learned into my acting and writing work for sure. I’ve continued to sharpen my skills, taking regular acting classes – I think it’s important to keep training in some way or form. After our show DNA at Tara, I signed with a new agent, Mia Thomson Management, and have been working professionally.” – Vikas Gogana, Actor

I have used the skills in every job I worked on since the Young Company! I’m still learning more on each job as a backstage theatre maker but what I learned at the Young Company has taught me all the basics I need to work professionally.” – Stella Wang, Assistant Stage Manager

“Yes! I definitely felt more confident in my skills and hence got myself more involved in the field.” – Anson To, Assistant Lighting Designer

What projects have you worked on since? Do you have any upcoming projects?

Since finishing the Young Company program, actor Anna Constantinides has performed in A Christmas Carol at The Old Vic, Performance Galas with The Chickenshed Theatre Company and taken part in The Actor Class with Mary Doherty.

Vikas Gogana tells us “I recently did an Axe Body Spray commercial with Metro Boomin and Coi Leray which was a blast – my first time being a lead in a commercial and just such a fun job. Funnily enough it’s airing globally, except for the UK! I was also lucky enough to be brought back in by Tara Theatre to work on a R&D for a new show they’re developing, and everyone at the theatre has stayed true to their word of trying to aid the young company alum in moving forward in this industry. I don’t have anything set in stone yet but I’m currently writing a couple of pilots and a play, while still auditioning for projects as an actor.”

Vikas is represented as an actor by Mia Thomson Talent Management and as a screenwriter by Ellen Gallagher at Casarotto Ramsay & Associates.

Stella Wang has worked as Games Manager at Saw: Escape Experience, a Stage Manager for the 2023 Camden Fringe Festival at The Hope Theatre, Stage Manager for Brown Girl Noise, and Tech Swing for Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York) at Kiln Theatre. Currently Stella is working as the ASM for The Cord at Bush Theatre.

Anson To has been a part of  The Kiln Sparks Program at the New Vic Theatre (with New Earth Theatre) and has completed lighting design for university productions of Beauty and the Beast and The Doctor in Wonderland.

A word from our Artistic Director, Natasha Kathi-Chandra

“The Young Company was conceptualised from a place of finding meaningful and impactful routes into a professional career in theatre not just through performance but also the key roles of how a production is made behind the scenes as designers, directors, and stage managers.

I wanted our young company to feel held, safe and proud to be part of a company of their peers and an organisation but above all – valued for their input and their hard work in making and sharing a show on a high-profile stage with audiences by being paid like professionals would.

A year on from our inaugural Young Company, I am delighted at how closely connected these talented emerging artists from our company still feel to Tara Theatre.  I am proud of how much they have achieved since then like their next professional show, signing with agents and being seen for many different types of castings. Some of them have come back to work with Tara Theatre on R&Ds or as part of other opportunities.  And all of them continue to support and champion each other in their many achievements. Tara Theatre’s Young Company program will return. But until then , I implore each and every one of our inaugural company to continue to go forth and conquer!”

Tara Theatre Young Company will return…