Little Seed Theatre Company is celebrating its 15th birthday this year! This much-loved Sunshine Coast theatre company has provided a supportive environment for young creative minds to flourish for a decade and a half. We chat with founder Johanna Wallace to reflect on the company’s journey and learn more about what’s in store for the next 15 years.
What has been your proudest moment in the last 15 years?
There are so many! I am proud to have established a strong actor training program that provides opportunities for young performers to explore the work of William Shakespeare from Grade 3 through Grade 12. This training process culminates in Grade 10-12 students presenting a full-length Shakespeare production at the Amphitheatre in the Cooroy Botanical Gardens. This year, our production of Hamlet was attended by 921 people, making it both a creative and commercial success. Seeing Little Seed nurturing talented actors and adding vibrant colours to our community’s cultural fabric is amazing!
Other highlights include the two musicals Little Seed stages each year at the J Noosa. To my knowledge, we are the only performing arts training program on the coast that offers a musical just for primary students. Our secondary musicals are well known for their production values and the standard of talent onstage. I’m also proud of our culture. We have a high calibre of coaches who offer excellent training within a kind and encouraging setting.
Where did the name Little Seed come from?
The name came from my belief in the creative potential inside of people. Everyone has that ‘little seed’ of potential for ideas, growth, and creative pursuit. If you can place that seed in an environment where it is nurtured and fed, it will grow in fullness, and this is indicated in our logo, which is a seed cracked open to reveal a person.
How much has Little Seed changed since you first opened?
A great deal! When it began, Little Seed had just a handful of classes, and our performances started very organically. It was a side hobby for me, but it has now grown into a family business producing eight major shows yearly.
What’s in store for the next 15 years?
I’d like a few new branches on the Little Seed tree in the next 15 years. This year, we have begun to lean into creating new work, and I’d like to develop this part of our work to become a yearly occurrence. I love the thought that we could contribute to the body of new work being developed in Australia. We’d also like to develop a touring arm of what we do, taking our shows into regional areas. We have done some of this work this year and learnt a lot, but in 15 years, I’d love to see this as an established part of our yearly calendar.
Little Seed presents Mary Poppins this spring
What’s the next show Little Seed will present?
Little Seed presents Mary Poppins during the spring school holidays at the J Theatre in Noosa and The Events Centre in Caloundra. It will be our eighth full-length musical production. Previously, we’ve staged Spamalot, Fame, Beauty, and the Beast (to name a few). We will present four shows over two days on September 20th and 21st at The J. Then we will perform at the Events Centre in Caloundra in October on the 4th, 5th and 6th. This is such a popular and well-loved musical, and every song is a hit. It’s a brilliant family show, and we’d love to see you there! Tickets available at www.little-seed.com.au
Servicing Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast and beyond, Kids on the Coast is an online guide for parents. With kids events and activities, attractions & things to do with kids, schools and education, school holiday guides, health & wellbeing for families, parenting and lifestyle news. Located on Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast & Brisbane, QLD.
