Looking for a little magic for your little one? Much-loved Sunshine Coast theatre company Little Seed Theatre Company brings fairytale enchantment to kids through its range of theatre programs.
From its humble beginnings as a childhood dream, Little Seed Theatre Company has blossomed into a vibrant hub of creativity on the Sunshine Coast. Renowned for its annual summer performances in the atmospheric amphitheatre at Noosa Botanic Gardens, this beloved youth theatre has been instrumental in shaping the lives of countless young people in the region.
More than providing a launchpad for aspiring performers, Little Seed offers a nurturing environment where children can discover their passions, build self-confidence, and find a sense of belonging. Whether they dream of standing in the spotlight or simply seek a supportive community, Little Seed provides a place where creativity can flourish and dreams can bloom.
“It’s been an incredible journey so far,” says Jo Wallace, founder of Little Seed Theatre Company. “Living in a seaside town and making so much theatre with such wonderful young people is so special.”
Jo grew up loving stories and theatre. From her childhood, Jo remembers turning to theatre as a place to connect and find a community. “It’s a significant part of why I started Little Seed—to provide a haven for those wonderfully creative souls who don’t always fit the mould. The creative spirit often dances to its own tune and doesn’t always fit into the mainstream, so creating a space for them is a massive part of what we’re about. It’s about offering a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment,” says Jo.
“We strive hard to make everyone feel included as much as possible—working with individuals with physical disabilities and ensuring that LGBTQ kids have a supportive space too.”
The open-air amphitheatre in Noosa Botanic Gardens is the perfect venue for summer theatre.
The benefits of performing arts
The performing arts offer a multitude of benefits for children. From boosting confidence to developing essential communication skills, the stage provides a unique platform for personal growth.
“It’s like a sport for people who don’t want to do sport because it teaches a lot about teamwork and collaboration,” says Jo. “It also nurtures creativity, develops empathy, and emotional intelligence.”
The challenges posed by full-length performances push students to their limits, fostering resilience and determination. Beyond the artistic achievements, the social aspect of the performing arts is equally valuable, fostering friendships and a sense of belonging.
“Plus, it’s such an ephemeral art form; it teaches kids to be fully invested in the moment. We give everything, then it goes on stage, and then it’s gone. We’ve got it for just that moment, and then it’s no more. And that’s okay,” says Jo.
Cinderella in the Gardens
This summer, Little Seed Theatre Company presented Cinderella in the Botanic Gardens.
“We’ve done eight full-length Shakespeare plays in the gardens. This was our third family show for the gardens, the previous ones being Wind in the Willows and Alice in Wonderland,” says Jo.
Cinderella in the Gardens proved to be another captivating, family-friendly production from Little Seed Theatre Company, delighting children and adults alike with its blend of magic and humour.
“It’s a pantomime, which means it has a little comedy and silliness,” says Jo. “It’s hugely entertaining. And pantomime suits big spaces, so I feel like the amphitheatre is the perfect place for a summer pantomime.”
Little Seed Theatre Co presents Cinderella in the Gardens Summer 2024/5
Little Seed on the road
On top of the classes and the eight productions a year, touring the shows is another branch of the Little Seed tree that Jo is excited to grow.
“We toured Alice in Wonderland to Rainbow Beach, which was hugely popular, so we will hopefully take another show there soon. And we’ve just finished touring Mary Poppins in Caloundra, which was incredible,” says Jo.
“This year has just exceeded our expectations, and I’d love to see touring as an established part of our yearly calendar.”
Weekly theatre classes for kids at Little Seed
Of course, these productions don’t just magically happen. Still, at the core of this thriving Sunshine Coast theatre company are the weekly classes that they hold across the Noosa Shire.
“We run classes from Monday to Thursday in acting, music, theatre, film, and dance across four age groups: Minis (Prep – Year 2), Juniors (Years 4 – 6), Intermediate (Years 7 – 9), Seniors (Years 10 – 12). So, there are many opportunities for young people to find the right class that fits them. We also run holiday programs every school holiday, and private coaching is available for any student who wishes to excel as a performer. We just started Acting in Film this year, and that’s been fun. There’s a big difference between acting for screen and acting for stage, so we’re really enjoying exploring that.
“I am also 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,” Jo adds.
This training culminates in Grade 10-12 students presenting a full-length Shakespeare production at the Noosa Botanical Gardens’ amphitheatre.
“Seeing Little Seed nurturing talented actors and adding vibrant colours to our community’s cultural fabric is wonderful!”
Little Seed Youth Theatre after-school and school holiday program
Little Seed youth theatre classes
Tiny Tots | Pre-prep/Kindy: Designed for the littlest performers, this class is perfect for encouraging a creative brain, developing social skills and building foundational performance techniques.
Mini Acting | Prep – Grade 3: Perfect for children beginning their journey in the theatre world. This class allows children to be themselves, try new things and build skills as performers in a safe and inclusive environment.
Mini Musical Theatre | Prep – Grade 3: This class is perfect for young performers who want to express their creativity through the exciting art of Musical Theatre.
Junior Acting | Grade 4 – 6: Ideal for students learning the art of acting and wanting to discover their creative side in a fun environment. This class focuses on theatre games, building confidence and exploring foundational acting skills.
Intermediate & Senior Acting for Film | Grade 7 – 12: This class allows students to explore the multifaceted and exciting art of acting for camera in a supportive and encouraging environment.
Intermediate & Senior Acting | Grade 7 – 12: This class explores script work, improvisational skills and character building. It is perfect for performers of all experience levels who want to grow and learn in a supportive environment.
Group of students rehearsing at Little Seed Theatre Co, Sunshine Coast
Book all programs and tickets at the Little Seed website little-seed.com.au
Helpful links:
Things to do with kids on the Sunshine Coast
Free kids activities on the Sunshine Coast
Whats on for kids on the Sunshine Coast
