With the support of the Adelaide Festival Centre Foundation, Adelaide Festival Centre offers a unique opportunity through scholarships, for young individuals to participate in the On Stage school holiday performing arts program at no cost.
This initiative is designed to break barriers, ensuring access to arts experiences for those who might otherwise be hindered by financial constraints or remote locations.
“I have been able to push almost all my fear of being different aside and recognise that being different is great and makes me who I want to be.”
During the January 2024 school holidays, we proudly facilitated the participation of several students in On Stage, including Kate (16) and Emily (14), who were active members of the On Stage Community Program throughout 2023. Launched in 2023 and supported by the Adelaide Festival Centre Foundation, the On Stage Community Program is a free weekly performing arts initiative for young people experiencing out-of-home care, offering long-term learning, participation, and confidence-building in a supportive environment.
As part of our January 2024 school holidays On Stage program, Kate and Emily attended Musical Moments, a five-day intensive for 10-17 year olds. Led by industry professionals, participants were encouraged to explore all performing arts genres from voice, acting, musical theatre and dance. The program culminated in a ticketed performance for family and friends in our Space Theatre.
Supporting Kate and Emily's transition from weekly classes to a weeklong intensive, demonstrates Adelaide Festival Centre's commitment to providing ‘Arts for All’ opportunities, and our aim to foster a lifelong appreciation for the arts. We take immense pride in Kate and Emily's dedication to their creative journey.
Expressing gratitude, Kate shared:
“Thank you for the opportunity to participate in On Stage Musical Moments in January 2024. The program allowed me to develop my dancing, singing and performance skills. I learnt how to tell a story in a performance, I gained confidence on stage, met some great people and learnt some tricks of the trade, such as looking at the exit signs in the theatre so that our faces were in the light.
I also realised that I could follow a complex dance routine without looking at others. At the end of the week, I was buzzing with excitement and was very proud of my ability to perform the routine. I am very grateful for the opportunity to have participated because it’s given me more training in an area that I love.”
Echoing these sentiments, Emily also expressed thanks:
“I just want to say an enormous thank you to you and the Adelaide Festival Centre Foundation for the opportunity to be part of the On Stage program.
Just being in the program has taught me so many valuable life lessons like confidence and the ability to show what I can do without the fear of judgement. I was able to be with people just like me and learn from them. I have been able to push almost all my fear of being different aside and recognise that being different is great and makes me who I want to be.”
Bookings and scholarship applications for the On Stage April 2024 school holidays workshops are now open.