During the 2017 Sydney Festival Lachy Martin, Blaise Grant, Emily Walmsley and Yasmin Hahn will spend a week learning more about their craft. The three students will spend time with festival artists and industry leaders participating in workshops, attending shows and creating a performance as part of the festival. 

Australian Theatre for Young People (ATYP) is the national youth theatre company of Australia. 

Glen Innes High school Drama Teacher Genevieve Byrne said only 40 students were accepted into the programme from both government and non-government schools. 

“To be accepted into the programme students were nominated as part of the selection process and had to show both credible performance experience as well as suitability to be shortlisted for the opportunity,” she said.

“It is an outstanding result for our drama students and the school that one tenth of successful applicants come from Glen Innes High.

“Participants will spend five action-packed days honing their craft in special ATYP theatre workshops, building their show and attending a raft of great festival shows and events.”

Actor Blaise Grant said he appreciated the opportunity to go to the residential week in Sydney.

"This will be such a wonderful experience and opportunity for me,” he said.

Mrs Byrne said all participants will receive special artist passes and have the opportunity to meet both international and local performers and theatre makers as part of the residency. ​

“These opportunities do lead to students being employed in the industry,” she said.

"We have had students from Glen Innes get gigs on sitcoms, perform with professional theatre troops and work with film companies.

"To me, the fact that our students are turning these experiences into careers is the whole point of our program.”