Matt comes to the position with a wealth of experience in the theatre and youth sector. He spent 20 years as a professional theatre practitioner in Sydney and was the General Manager of Darlinghurst Theatre Company which he co-founded in 1992. In 2004 he moved to Canberra where he managed the Messages Program, an arts program for teenagers who experienced depression and social isolation.
Matt will work one day a week for Accessible Arts and will be based at Powerhouse Youth Theatre in Fairfield. Matt is responsible for maintaining and further developing performing arts opportunities for school aged young people with a disability in major arts centres across Western Sydney, such as Blacktown Arts centre & Parramatta Riverside, and in particular coordinating the inter/Act integrated performance workshop program for people with and without a disability.
Matt says, “I am a great believer in using the performing arts as a tool to help and enhance the lives of those who are disenfranchised or separated in some way from the greater community. The arts can help build self esteem and bridges to friendships. It can give a person a stronger sense of self and their part in their community. Most importantly it gives license to have fun. If these things aren’t important to the growth and well being of young people, I’ll eat my hat.”
For more information on the inter/ACT program you can contact Matt on matt@pyt.com.au or Alison on 9251 6499 (ext 112) or arichardson@aarts.net.au.
