This year marks the 26th year of Bell Shakespeare’s community access program, Hearts in a Row.
Hearts in a Row started out as an opportunity for our donors to purchase a row of seats to pay it forward to people who ordinarily faced barriers in accessing our productions. Since then, the program has grown beyond complimentary tickets to also include workshops, and behind-the-scenes access to rehearsal rooms, exclusive Q&A’s, workshops with the cast and crew and and school performances by The Players.
One of the community organisations we have been working closely with since 2023 is Powerhouse Youth Theatre (PYT) Fairfield, a professional youth-focused theatre company dedicated to fostering emerging artists and creatives from Western Sydney. Fairfield is one of the most multicultural and socio-economically disadvantaged LGA’s in Sydney, thus presenting a range of geographical and economic barriers to young people to engage in the arts.
Their flagship ensemble program brings together 20 young artists and theatre makers on a 4-month program that focuses on improvisation, writing, performing and creating original work for the stage. The group comprises individuals with a range of professional backgrounds and experience levels, with some holding formal acting qualifications while others are new to the theatre and arts industry.
Since 2023, we have welcomed more than 50 young emerging artists and arts workers from PYT. They have experienced first-hand how a professional theatre company works and apply those learnings to their own theatre and professional practice. In addition, thanks to the support of our donor family we have been able to work with PYT to create a series of tailored workshops that align with their acting programs while cultivating appreciation for and access to Shakespeare’s plays.
"Incentives like this are what put more young people ‘into the room’ and into the industry, where they can begin to develop and foster skills.” Lana, PYT Ensemble 2026
This year, PYT ensemble members have joined us for rehearsals, tech runs, dress runs and performances of our productions Julius Caesar and Mackenzie. They’ve taken part in workshops with our Teaching Artists, observed production meetings, and had the opportunity to attend an exclusive masterclass delivered by the writer of Mackenzie, Yve Blake.
"It was an invaluable experience for me as an actor. Getting to watch the performance and back-stage of the world of Mackenzie gave me inspiration for my own future projects." Nic, PYT Ensemble 2026
In addition to our usual activities with PYT, in 2024, one ensemble member was selected from more than 50 applicants for the JACE Internship, a paid 1-month opportunity for an up-and-coming arts worker to gain hands-on insight into each department of a mainstage theatre company.
We look forward to many more years of partnership with PYT Fairfield and continuing to make the Australian Theatre sector accessible to all Australians.
