The Scene Project

The Scene Project is Queensland Theatre’s premier education program, designed to immerse secondary school drama students in the full creative process of theatre-making — from first read-through to final performance. Instead of simply studying plays, students and teachers are acknowledged as artists, working collaboratively to interpret a newly commissioned script and develop their own unique 15-minute performance.

Each year, Queensland Theatre commissions an original script written specifically for young artists. Participating schools are challenged to explore the text creatively, experiment with staging choices, and bring their own artistic perspective to the work. During the rehearsal period, Queensland Theatre teaching artists visit schools to facilitate workshops, offer guidance, and support both students and teachers within their creative process.

The Scene Project concludes with schools gathering at a professional performance venue to present their interpretations. After sharing their work, students watch a full professional performance of the script by Queensland Theatre actors under the same minimalist parameters — offering new ideas, approaches, and inspiration for future theatre-making.

2026 – ICARUS – Reworked

For 2026, The Scene Project script is ICARUS – Reworked, a modern reimagining of the myth of Icarus. Re-shaped for young artists by Queensland playwrights David Burton, Maxine Mellor, Maddie Nixon and Merlynn Tong, the script brings fresh perspectives to this classic story while offering flexibility in interpretation and staging. The work provides rich material for students to explore character, symbolism, movement, and voice while connecting ancient themes with contemporary ideas and experiences.

2025 – Recalibrate

Co-written by Hayden Jones and Sam Foster (Shock Therapy Arts), Recalibrate invited young performers to examine concepts of purpose, pressure, and the expectations placed on youth as they navigate an uncertain future. Physicality, stylised movement, and ensemble storytelling featured strongly in student interpretations.

2024 – Flowers in Antarctica

Authored by Queensland playwright Wendy Mocke, this work centred on themes of environmental change, unity, conflict, and identity. Students engaged with contemporary issues while exploring layered characters and a narrative that balanced poetic imagery with realism.

2023 – A Thousand Points From Zero

Written by award-winning playwright Steve Pirie, this script explored the interconnectedness of life in the metaverse, Big Tech influence on young people, and the commodification of modern experience. Blending dark comedy with speculative storytelling, the play offered rich opportunities for students to experiment with form, style, and characterisation.

Why Participate?

The Scene Project supports students to:

Build confidence and performance skills
Strengthen collaboration and ensemble awareness
Develop creative problem-solving and lateral thinking
Deepen emotional intelligence and empathy
Experience professional theatre environments
Engage meaningfully with original Australian writing
Celebrate and share artistic work with peers from across the region

Through this co-curricular experience, students become active creators rather than passive observers, gaining insight into rehearsal processes, professional practice, and the power of live performance.