Embrace your story. Create your community.
From your heart.
Brought to you by TRANSMEDIUM
Supported by Wear it Purple & our Government Partner, City of Sydney.
Peer support services provided by Twenty10.
‘Stories from the Heart’ is a queer storytelling development program, and we’re offering eight LGBTQIA+SB teens a chance to be involved in this life-changing opportunity. All you need is an idea (doesn’t matter how big or small) that you can perform, and you’re good to go! During four workshops, you’ll be mentored by some of the coolest and most exciting queer actors, writers, directors and creatives in Sydney. At the end of the program, you’ll perform your piece to a generous and supportive live audience of queer community and industry during Mardi Gras 2024.
‘STORIES FROM THE HEART’ 2024 HAS BEEN POSTPONED TO LATER IN THE YEAR.
FOR AN ENQUIRIES, PLEASE CONTACT STORIES@TRANSMEDIUM.ORG
Your performance can be ANYTHING! A rap, cabaret, interpretative dance, monologue - anything you can perform on stage! It doesn’t have to be a finished idea - it can just be the beginning. ‘Stories From The Heart’ will help you develop it in a very queer way.
There is reserved budget for accessibility / travel - which we will get in touch about when participants are selected.
During this program, you will:
Discover Your Voice: Unleash the storyteller within. Our experienced queer mentors will guide you in finding your unique voice and style.
Make Intergenerational Connections: You will build meaningful intergenerational connections within the LGBTQIA+SB community. Share experiences and wisdom with established queer mentors who have walked a similar path.
Queer Up Everything: We will be unlearning the things we’ve been told about art-making and living - and queering everything up! From creative process and practice to looking back to those who fought for us to be here today.
Be Supported: A trained Wellbeing Artist will be available to help untangle any challenges you find along the way. Plus, there will always be a Twenty10 peer support worker on site during all the workshops.
Make Lifelong Bonds: Get ready to meet some other phenomenal, brilliant, young queer people who you will collaborate and work with.
Community Opportunities: You will be invited to come along with Wear it Purple to the 2024 Mardi Gras Parade float - a lifelong memory. Plus get to know the Wear It Purple team and find out about ways to get involved!
THIS IS MORE THAN A SERIES OF WORKSHOPS,
THIS IS “A MULTI-GENERATIONAL COMMUNITY OF QUEER ARTISTS WHO COME TOGETHER TO CREATE, SHARE, HEAL, AND CELEBRATE”
- JACK (CLASS OF 2023, SFTH)
Still feeling a bit nervous about taking the plunge? Hear from the Class of 2023 about their experience and why they all think you should give it a go!
Timeline:
Workshop Weekend #1: TBC
Workshop Weekend #2: TBC
Tech Day: TBC
Performance Day: TBC
Application Details:
Your story is important, and we want to help you tell it.
To apply for this life-changing experience, simply fill out the ‘Stories From The Heart’ application form. We encourage teenagers of all backgrounds and identities within the LGBTQIA+SB community to apply.
Spread the Word
Transmedium and our partners believe that, together, we can build a stronger, more vibrant queer community through the power of storytelling.
If you know an LGBTQIA+SB teenager who could benefit from the unique ‘Stories From The Heart’ program, please share this opportunity with them.
For any questions or concerns, feel free to contact us at stories@transmedium.org and keep up to date with all things #SFTH on our instagram @trans.medium
Please find the FAQs below for more information.
FAQs
Who is eligible to apply for the program?
We welcome applications from LGBTQIA+SB teenagers aged 15-19 (youngest DOB: 20/01/09 ,oldest DOB: 04/03/04) who are eager to explore their storytelling skills and connect with the queer community.
How do I apply for ‘Stories from the Heart’?
Applying is easy! Just complete the online application form here and make sure to submit it before the application deadline (10th of January 2024)!
I really want to apply but I don’t really have any ideas… Can I still apply?
Yes! All you need is a seed of an idea to apply - and the idea can be whatever you want! We aren’t looking for fully fleshed out ideas. Don’t worry too much as this is what the workshops are for! To brainstorm, bounce ideas, experiment and discover!
What is the time commitment for ‘Stories from the Heart’?
The workshops are held over two weekends.
Workshop dates- TBC
Performance dates- TBC
Each workshop day runs from 10am - 4pm with a one hour lunch break.
Is there a fee to participate in the program?
No, the program is entirely free for participants. We are committed to providing an inclusive and accessible experience for all LGBTQIA+SB teenagers.
We also have a dedicated stipend of $500 provided to participants who may require help with travel and any other accessibility requirements for the duration of the program.
When is the application deadline?
The application deadline for this year's program is 10th January 2024. Make sure to get your application in on time.
Who will be our mentors for 2024?
We are shaping this program around you! So whoever is selected, we will be choosing our mentors based around the participants. We want to make sure that if, for example, you’re a dancer, we have a mentor who is a dancer to help you!
In the past, we’ve had some pretty amazing mentors: Zoe Terakes, Imbar Nassi, Laneikka Denne & Tommy Misa…
If you have a suggestion of who you’d like to be mentored by - let us know on your application form! There is a specific question on the application form for this.
What happens at the live performance?
The live performance is your chance to showcase your piece to a live audience of friends, family, queer community and industry. It will be a mix of wholesome and also getting your work in front of the game-makers in the Sydney Theatre and Arts Scene.
It's a joyous and supportive celebration of your creative journey.
Can I participate if I'm not "out" or open about my LGBTQIA+SB identity?
Absolutely! We understand the nuance and complexity around ‘coming out’ and that sometimes, it’s not for everyone. No matter where you’re at on your rainbow journey, we encourage you to apply!
It's really important to note that, while we won't promote you or your work within the workshops and performance without your consent, ‘Stories From The Heart’ is a public-facing program with a live performance outcome. This means we cannot completely control who sees or hears about the program.
Also, for legal reasons, if you’re under 16 we must have a signed form from your parent, guardian and/or responsible adult.
What happens if I experience mental health issues?
This should not discourage you from applying. Like queerness, mental health is also a journey. Sometimes you can see things coming, sometimes they pop up from nowhere. ‘Stories From The Heart’ is working with a queer Wellbeing Support Artist to make sure we create a safe space for everyone. It is important to note however, none of us are social workers or mental health professionals. We are artists and our focus will be on making you the best queer artist you can be. If you have any questions or concerns about this please get in contact below.
One of our partners, Twenty10, who are a mental health support organisation specifically for LGBTQIA+SB people will be providing a peer support worker for every workshop session. So at any point throughout the workshop, you can go and have a chat with them. Plus, along with our Wellbeing Support Artist, we’re developing an After Care plan for participants so when the program ends, they don’t feel alone!
How can I contact the ‘Stories from the Heart’ team for more information?
If you have any additional questions or need more information, please don't hesitate to contact the Transmedium team at stories@transmedium.org
Photo Credit: Natesha Somasundaram
Design: Kenney Designs
