Shopfront Arts Co-Op in southern Sydney, which describes itself as Australia’s longest-running youth theatre and the only one owned and led by young people, has celebrated turning 50 in style, ABC News reports.
To mark the anniversary it staged a 50-hour act-a-thon with a target of $50,000, and ended up raising more than $68,000. The money will fund scholarships and free tickets, so that cost never keeps a young person away.
The event was a nod to 1978, when young members facing eviction held an act-a-thon and raffles to raise a $43,000 deposit and buy their own building. Since then the co-op has nurtured performers including Paul Capsis, Trevor Ashley and Andrew Upton, and more than 19,000 young people have taken part in its programmes since 2018 alone.
The birthday celebrations also included a youth conference and a revival of one of its award-winning shows at the Sydney Opera House.
Source: ABC News