How do you turn a script into a fully realised production? How does that character you love, grow from words on a page into a three-dimensional being? How do actors and directors do what they do?

State Theatre Company South Australia’s Summer and Winter Schools are an exciting opportunity for young people (ages 15-18) to receive practical experience in creating theatre from recognised artists in the industry. An integral part of our State Educate program, Summer School provides excellent preparation for students undertaking drama at a SACE 1 – SACE 2 level or for those looking to further their theatrical skills.

Winter and Summer School applications are open all year.

If you have any questions, please email education@statetheatrecompany.com.au.

Winter School School with Katie Cawthorne

Monday 13 – Friday 17 July – Adelaide University

Applications are open for Winter School 2026. Presented by Katie Cawthorne, it will be a week of creativity, collaboration and performance-making.

Together, you’ll create an original devised physical theatre work inspired by the stories, experiences and ideas of the artists in the room. Through a range of physical theatre training, ensemble-building activities and composition techniques, you’ll explore how movement, text and sound can be combined to create compelling theatre.

Throughout the week, you’ll develop skills in devising, storytelling and performance while working closely with the ensemble to generate and shape material. The intensive will culminate in a short original performance piece created and performed by the group.

Whether you’re interested in movement, acting, writing or creating new work, this is an exciting opportunity to collaborate, experiment and bring stories to life on stage.

Katie Cawthorne is a director, theatre-maker, and teaching artist, and is co-founder of The Anchor theatre company with playwright Laura Lethlean. She has directed There’s an elephant in the room (NICA, 2025); Fall With Me (NICA, 2024); VCE Top Acts (Melbourne Recital Centre, 2024); Within These Walls (NICA, 2023); Cactus (La Mama remount for VCE Playlist, 2023); Pillow Fight (Festival tour 2023 – Wellington, NZ/Castlemaine, Vic/Gasworks, 2022) Body Horror (La Mama, 2022); DREDGE (National Theatre Drama School, 2022); Cactus (La Mama, 2021; RAV tour, 2022); Sempiternal (National Institute of Circus Arts, 2022); HONEY (National Theatre Drama School, 2021); Hell’s Canyon (RAV tour, VCE Playlist, 2021/La Mama/Old 505, 2018; ) Circuit (Art Not aPart Festival Canberra 2020); The Three Graces (Theatreworks, 2019) and Two Hearts (The Butterfly Club, 2019). Katie was the Artistic Director of Canberra Youth Theatre from 2015 to 2018, directing SKIN; The 24 Hour Butoh Project; The Verbatim Project; The Greek Project – Antigone; poem every day; Filtered and Fading with the company. She has just finished up her role as the Performance Studies Co-ordinator at the National Institute of Circus Arts (NICA) and is now moving back into freelancing after relocating from Melbourne to Adelaide at the beginning of 2026. Katie studied at the National Institute of Dramatic Arts (NIDA) receiving a Master of Fine Arts in Directing.

Quotes from Past Students

“I had such an amazing time … and I am soo thankful I got the opportunity to do it and meet all the amazing people that were involved. This experience has  helped me realise that you dont have to be 100% perfect at everything, you just have to try 100%, learn and have fun.” 

“I really enjoyed improvising and using my imagination. Writing a script and performing in front of everyone was great. I loved meeting new friends, I just loved the whole week.“