Our History

1984
Established in 1984 as the Victorian Children’s Theatre, it initially operated from a church hall in East Kew. Rapid growth led to six Melbourne locations and the formation of the Victorian Youth Theatre (VYT).
1995
n 1995, they presented “Salad Days,” sparking interest in musical theatre from the advanced students. This year concluded with a season of Godspell at the Gasworks Theatre. Subsequent seasons included Man of La Mancha, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Oliver! and Rags.
1996
By 1996, the VYT had hundreds of students and began touring with productions like “A Well Spun Yarn” at the Adelaide Fringe Festival, and “Back to Bacchus” in Europe in 1997, 2002 and 2004, and the USA in 1999.
1999
In 1999, the ensembles became known as the Young Australian Broadway Chorus (YABC) and started hosting musical theatre gala performances at the National Theatre in St Kilda.
2003
In 2003, the YABC opened doors for younger students (ages five to seven) known as Beginners and Sub-Juniors. The Children’s Talent Company of Australia (CTCA), later the Talent Company of Australia (TCA), launched in 2003 to provide cost-effective representation of its members.
2004
In 2004, the VYT celebrated its 20th Anniversary with a season of Australian works at The Malthouse Theatre where more than 700 students performed.

2008
In 2008, the YABC marked its 10th anniversary with a special show featuring excerpts from various productions including Rags, Salad Days, Godspell and Man of La Mancha.
2009
In 2009, the five- to seven-year-old program began to operate independently as Beginners OnStage.
2014
In 2014, the VYT revived “The Conference of the Birds” for its 30th Anniversary at Chapel Off Chapel Theatre as part of The Melbourne Fringe Festival. In the same year, The Australian Boys Dance Academy (ABDA) was launched, and the company changed its name from the Children’s Performing Company of Australia to Stage School Australia.
2017
In 2017, Beginners OnStage expanded to include pre-schoolers, ages four and five.
2018
In 2018, the YABC celebrated its 20th anniversary and 40th season at the National Theatre.
2022
In 2022, Stage School Australia expanded to Queensland, opening three venues in Brisbane, with a fourth in 2023.

1984