A group of NQ thespians’ ambition has led them to establish their independent theatre company in Sydney, where they are making waves with their captivating productions
These young theatre entrepreneurs have made a name for themselves in the industry, lending their skills to a variety of first-rate productions, most notably with Props Youth Theatre and Theatre iNQ.
But their ambition has led them beyond the Queensland border, to the highly competitive Sydney theatre scene, where they have established their own independent theatre company, Stacks On.
These young theatre entrepreneurs are now making waves in the Sydney theatre scene.
Their inspiration to establish Stacks On came from their time working together at Townsville’s TheatreiNQ, where they honed their craft under the tutelage of acting legends Terri Brabon and Brendan O’Connor.
Their most recent comedy production, ‘For the Time Being,’ was met with resounding success during its nine-day run in Sydney.
The comedy show humorously explored the complexities of living in a sharehouse during one’s 20s.
Lachlan, who has written the play based on his first-hand experiences, explains how young people living together deal with change within their personal lives and in the lives they are somewhat forced to share by living in the same house.
Brittany tells NQ Weekend Stacks On was formed with the guidance of Theatre iNQ when the group did their first co-production in February, last year.
“We wanted to create a company in Sydney where we had input into the way we approached work and the work we were creating. We are really passionate about putting the story and the acting first over making the design elements the star focus.”
Lachlan says Stacks On allows its founders to produce shows they are proud to be involved in.
“Stacks On is us using any means necessary to keep acting and do work that we wouldn’t usually be able to do otherwise. And in doing that hopefully audiences get to see shows they wouldn’t usually see.”
Although realatively new to the Sydney theatre scene, Stacks On has already impressed and entertained audiences with their talent and passion.
Their past shows have ranged from comedy, to drama, to suspense and have been well received by critics and audiences alike.
Brittany Santariga, James Thomasson and Lachlan Stevenson. Picture: Evan Morgan
All four talented individuals speak highly of Townsville’s rich theatre history, and particularly praised TheatreiNQ’s role in nurturing young talent in the industry.
Pip says she never gets tired of seeing young people come to a show and afterwards say “I want to do that”.
Lachlan explained that Townsville’s theatre environment takes young people’s work seriously:
“It recognises good, hard work and respects you enough to be able to tell you if it might not be good enough, or if it can be better.
“That may seem a bit simple, but after being away for a couple of years, I can tell you that sort of environment is becoming quite rare.
“So I think we all crave the opportunity when they arise to get back up home to Townsville and get to work because it is a place that we can really be tested, we can run a gauntlet and have a real bash with a team of people who are doing the same.”
Brittany added that there’s something special about creating work in Townsville for Townsville audiences.
“The purpose of the work is about what is right in front of you, the production or scene you are working on at this given moment. Theatre iNQ has always encouraged strong choices and to have opinions on the work we are creating. I think it is made easier when we have Theatre iNQ steering the ship for us and trusting that they will guide us if we go off course.’’
James explained that Townsville has a rich theatre history which is unrivalled in a regional city in Australia.
“The city should be very proud that it continues to foster talent across many different disciplines.
“We’re always chomping at the bit to come back and do another TheatreiNQ show.”
Lachlan emphasises it’s crucial to nurture a strong theatre community in Townsville, as it reflects the overall health of the community.
“It may seem like a long bow to draw, that strangers sitting in the dark feeling things is some gauge on society but I think it’s true.
“Why would we be still doing it after thousands of years across all cultures?”
James tells NQ Weekend that Townsville has important stories to tell and is a wonderful melting pot of voices in regional Australia:
“Those voices and stories will always need an outlet.
“Particularly a local one that will champion them and has a vested interest in them succeeding.”
Former Townsville actor Brittany Santariga regularly returns to her hometown to take part in local theatre productions. Picture: Evan Morgan
The Stacks On founders speak fondly of Townsville’s theatre stalwarts who nurtured their talents.
Brittany’s introduction to theatre began with Props Youth Theatre, where she first met Todd Barty, who became her mentor during her early acting years.
“Todd became a mentor to me in my early acting years. Todd is an incredibly passionate teacher and invested a huge amount of time in me. Todd shared his love for creating theatre and dissecting language.
“His classes were a place for me to express myself, to try and to fail.
“Todd was also a student of Jean Pierre Voos and introduced me to Terri, Brendan and the then Shakespeare Under the Stars team back in 2010 after their production of Richard III.
“I was completely enamoured by the production and performances, and was fortunate enough to be taken under the wings of what would become Theatre iNQ.”
All of the Stacks On founders have participated in TheatreiNQ’s The Bridge Project, which aims to guide regional talent towards a career in the professional industry.
James was just 14 when he joined The Bridge Project in 2012.
“I was fortunate enough to work across a variety of shows with TheatreiNQ and even be employed full time for two years as a company apprentice.”
Meanwhile Lachlan fell into after-school drama classes during high school.
“Through doing those I eventually found my way into an audition room for TheatreiNQ’s the Bridge Project.
“I was much too young and I did eventually receive an email telling me quite plainly so (I still have the email).
“I then went to see King Lear which TheatreiNQ were performing that year and can honestly say that performance was very inspiring and made me quite desperate to be a part of the company in any way I could.
Brittany Santariga and Pip Haupt, Lachlan Stevenston and James Thomasson make up Stacks On
“In terms of inspiration, there’s no better way to be inspired than to work with TheatreiNQ. Working with talented and driven people to make something that is bigger than the sum of it’s parts. Truly beautiful.”
Pip says her first theatre experiences, like a lot of children in Townsville, consisted of showcases and Eisteddfods at the Townsville Civic Theatre.
“I think my first dance showcase was when I was six, my first time inside a big theatre – it’s an exciting experience and you really catch the theatre-bug just by being in the environment.
“I did speech, drama and more dance in my early teens, but by then I’d had my interest piqued by the more technical side of things.
“I started volunteering as backstage crew and did many shows with Townsville Choral Society
and North Queensland Opera and Music Theatre – I have very fond memories of working on Little Shop of Horrors with the Audrey plant.
“After quite a few shows, I had learnt all sorts of new things and it kind of snowballed from there, eventually finding myself at TheatreiNQ – where I had the wonderful opportunity to work on their ‘Shakespeare Under the Stars’ for the past five years.”
Brittany couldn’t sing the praises of The Bridge Project enough.
“The Bridge has had an impact on my life in every way imaginable.
“It taught me discipline, curiosity, to take risks and to trust myself,” she explains.
“ I feel very fortunate Theatre iNQ was formed as I was still in Townsville.
“The lessons I learnt just from being in the room watching this company work, still are some of the greatest lessons I’ve had.
“I am forever grateful to the people at Theatre iNQ for how generous everyone is imparting their knowledge and experiences. I often wish I could just go back and do another yearof The Bridge Project.”
Lachlan says The Bridge Project played a role in his life today.
“I quite honestly feel that I get a lot of who I am and my values from my training in the Bridge Project with Terri and Brendan. I’ve gotten to do things that really no actor my age anywhere else could do.
“And of course doing what we’re doing with Stacks On, is proof of the role it plays in our lives.
“The Bridge Project not only teaches you how to be an actor, but it gives you the tools to enable yourself all the time as an actor, to use your strengths, to deal with your obstacles, to expand your world, to live your life as actor.”