Meet our production leadership team
Behind every incredible performance is an amazing production team! Monkey Baa is so lucky to have the incredible talents of Laura and Jem making the magic happen. Today we’re passing them the mic to learn about their practice of making theatre for young people.
What inspires you to work in the theatre for young people sector?
Laura: I have worked on and off in theatre for young people throughout my entire career. The joy, honesty and integrity of the audience's response make every day rewarding. I have two school-age children, and in my view, exploring the importance of imagination and encouraging the freedom to express one's true self are vital to a healthy society.
What makes theatre for young people unique compared to other types of theatre?
Jem: I think a lot of adults have forgotten how to “play.” When young people come into our space, there’s this immediate and intrinsic “Yeah… okay” in how they engage with the conventions and languages we’ve established on stage. They get on board with how we’re telling the story very quickly. This allows us to use really simple things and imbue them with lots of importance and magic.
Can you share a memorable moment that has deeply impacted you?
Laura: Working with the team on ‘Yong’ and having the opportunity to engage with the community whose story we were telling has been deeply impactful to me on many levels, both personally and professionally. It highlights aspects of recent Australian history that deserve to be discussed and explored.
What opportunities do you see for growth in the theatre for young people industry?
Jem: It’s well documented that exposure to the creative and performing arts has significant implications for development, creativity, problem solving and more. This is an amazing career path, and I think organisations like Monkey Baa have an important role in showing young people some exciting options for their future careers.
How is your experience with Monkey Baa?
Laura: Monkey Baa is a collaborative environment that values every person’s contribution to the process of theatrical storytelling and creation.
The production team is at the core of projects from creation and design to delivery and beyond. I enjoy facilitating and problem-solving at every level, every step of the way. Every day, I am surrounded by energy and adventurous thinking, and I wouldn’t change that for anything.
Jem: Our tours visit some amazing and remote places, and there are parts of the country I would have just flown over if not for being part of a Monkey Baa itinerary. It’s wonderful to reconnect with venues we’ve visited five, six, or seven times — some of them feel like homes away from home.
