Backbone is about the 21st century! Backbone is about creativity! It is the place where the creative and artistic aspirations of a young generation of performers, theatre makers and cultural producers are expressed and realized. As the 21st century unfolds with its myriad of challenges and possibilities we aim to be an arts organisation that fully captures the imagination of young people as they engage with and create the world around them and consequently the world of the future.  We are inspired by the new ways in which young people engage with the idea of performance and theatre, the cutting edge ideas and reimagining of the potential of theatre in the 21st century.

Art and specifically performance is a potent vehicle for the creative intelligence and identity not only of an individual but of a community. Backbone has a vision of Brisbane as the preeminent arts city in Australia, a place where the energy of creativity drives ambition, expression and innovation. We aim to be a generator of arts processes and experiences that inspires the nation and unleashes the creative capital of young people.

Andrew Cory

Backbone’s Activities

Backbone is Queensland’s premier youth theatre company specialising in delivering quality and innovative arts experiences for young people aged 9 to 26.  The company works with government, community service organisations, professional arts organisations and the private sector to create training and performance projects. Central to our work is the belief that young people must be placed at the core of our approach to art and training. Backbone provides a mechanism for young cultural producers and theatre makers to actualize their full potential.

Backbone achieves this through four key areas of activity:

1. Professional productions
2. The annual 2high Festival
3. Core drama and performance workshop program
4. In schools drama and performance program

Backbone is closely associated with industry professionals and organisations. We are proud of the fact we employ some of the state’s most respected theatre professionals. Meet some of our facilitators and trainers here.

Backbone receives financial assistance from the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland and the Australian Government through the Australia Council for the Arts, its funding and advisory body.

Contact us to find out more about Backbone.