Meet Chloe Bradbury, our International Exchange Artist
This year, Monkey Baa welcomes Chloe Bradbury as our International Exchange Artist.
From the UK, Chloe launched Little Wild Theatre, a company dedicated to supporting children’s well-being through theatrical experiences inspired by the natural world.
With Arts Council England’s Developing your Creative Practice funding, she’ll be with us for the next few months exploring international producing.
We had the chance to chat with Chloe about her experiences and insights into theatre for young people.
What inspires you to work in the theatre for young people sector?
As an artist, my work and passion have always been split between working with vulnerable adults including those in recovery from addiction and those with experience of or at risk of incarceration, and working with children from all walks of life. This includes children in the care system, those growing up in poverty and children living in hospices.
With an understanding that our early life experiences profoundly impact our ability to lead healthy and productive adult lives, I’m deeply driven to use theatre as a tool to provide children with a strong emotional foundation that they can carry with them throughout the complex journey of life.
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What excites you most about joining Monkey Baa as an International Exchange Artist?
It has been unbelievably exciting to spend so much time shadowing Eva Di Cesare, the Artistic Director and Co-founder of Monkey Baa. Working on the process of turning Where is the Green Sheep? from page to stage and seeing the intricate level of detail and cross-collaboration that goes into creating and producing such a high standard of theatre for young people has been both insightful and game-changing for the way I approach my work going forward.
It has also been an utmost privilege to be so warmly introduced to many industry experts across Australia which has supported me in learning a broad range of international perspectives and approaches to theatre for young people.
Chloe (far right) at the Where is the Green Sheep? creative development.
What are some key differences between theatre for young people in the UK and Australia?
Key differences predominantly centre around cultural storytelling, particularly the emphasis on adapting Australian literature for the stage while amplifying Indigenous storytelling and First Nations perspectives in theatre for young people.
Touring models also differ significantly. The 'fly-in fly-out' method is often necessary to ensure rural communities can access high-quality arts programming. Touring commute times also vary greatly — a five-hour drive in the UK feels like a major travel day, whereas in Australia that’s considered a short commute and everyone’s dream!
How do you see theatre playing a role in children’s emotional and mental well-being?
Theatre provides a vibrant immersive space where children can explore emotions through play, puppetry, storytelling, music and movement. By stepping into new worlds and witnessing characters express, navigate and manage a wide range of emotions, children gain valuable tools to recognise, articulate and regulate their own feelings.
Theatre normalises the full spectrum of human emotion, reinforcing that all feelings are valid. Through these experiences, children not only see reflections of their own emotional journeys but also develop essential skills for emotional resilience. I passionately believe theatre is one of the most powerful and diverse tools for supporting children’s well-being.
