Backbone Youth Arts: Dirty Apple

What happens when youth arts meets opera? Answer: Dirty Apple

Backbone Youth Arts has joined forces with Opera Queensland in a project that makes young people relevant to opera and opera relevant to young people. Dirty Apple makes its world première as part of the Queensland Music Festival and Q150 celebrations in July this year.

The stereotype is that Opera is for old people. “It’s an elite art form.” Yes it's elite, but so is State of Origin – you watch artists who are virtuosic at what they do. Dirty Apple brings virtuosity and the world of being a modern teenager together in one package. 

Since the project began in September 2006, young people have driven it – from determining initial goals to devising the story and establishing musical motifs. Each aspect of the project has been structured to offer professional development opportunities for young members of the team, enabling them to work alongside qualified industry professionals who mentor them in areas such as stage management, set/costume/lighting design and directing.

The collaborative process used in developing Dirty Apple stems from Opera Queensland’s Creating Opera! education program, created in partnership with Backbone Youth Arts.

Dirty Apple has Program Youth funding from the Theatre Board and production funding from the Community Partnerships committee.