EDITION 17
Growing A Stage For Families: Standing Tree Theatre Collective
In Newcastle, a group of passionate teachers is keeping the magic of live storytelling alive. Standing Tree Collective is a grassroots theatre company founded by local educators who believe theatre should be affordable, accessible, and above all, joyful.
The story of Standing Tree Collective began not in a theatre, but in Newcastle classrooms. A group of passionate educators asked a simple but powerful question: what if we created theatre that brought people together and didn’t cost a fortune to experience?
For founder, director and actor Luke Yeomans, that seed grew quickly.
“What began as a creative outlet for local primary teachers quickly grew into a grassroots movement for accessible, community-focused performance,” he says. “That first sold-out season showed us just how hungry people are for shared, joyful storytelling.”
“Accessible theatre means creating a space where everyone feels welcome, regardless of age, ability, background, or theatre experience.”
Accessibility is at the heart of everything they do. “Affordability is just the beginning,” Yeomans explains. “Accessible theatre means creating a space where everyone feels welcome, regardless of age, ability, background, or theatre experience. We keep our shows short, family-friendly, staged at local venues, and we prioritise casting from the community.”
Teachers on stage
All of Standing Tree’s performers are teachers, and that shared background shapes both the performances and the company’s spirit.
“None of us take ourselves too seriously, which I think is the best thing ever,” says Paul Russell, playwright and actor. “It’s so great to see people who have never been on stage, or those returning after decades away, just do it. We laugh a lot. But most importantly, we all get that it isn’t about us – it’s about the kids in the audience.”
That focus on children and families drives their shows. “Theatre, books, imagination, magic – it’s all linked and it’s all so important,” Russell says. “We want children who think differently, who develop imaginations and curiosity. That’s what the arts do best.”
Stories that come alive
For Paul Russell, the difference between writing for the page and for the stage is night and day. As an accomplished author of several successful picture books, including one that made the CBCA Notable list and another that won the Speech Pathology Picture Book of the Year, he knows the solitary rhythm of publishing well. This year, he has also stepped into middle-grade fiction with a trilogy of novels, beginning with The Last Seed Keeper and followed by New Sanctuary, set to release in September alongside Standing Tree’s new production Fractured.
“Writing a book is often a solo thing. I work with editors and publishers after the fact, but it’s still a very personal process,” Russell explains. “Writing a play, at least the way I write it, is so much more… it’s like a living thing. I write parts for the actors who want to play them, tie in their personalities and skills, and when we rehearse we change lines and modify scenes. It’s organic – the story starts to have a life of its own.”
That collaborative spirit carried through to their debut season, Almost Intelligence, which sold out every performance and even earned a City of Newcastle Drama Association (CONDA) nomination.
“It was so delightful to be recognised,” Russell recalls. “The fact that our little show was seen as valuable and recognised by the Newcastle theatre community was very humbling. And selling out gave us the confidence to do it all again.”
For both Yeomans and Russell, the true reward comes long after the curtain falls. “Watching the audience buzz after a show makes every late night, every hour spent making props or going through lines worth it,” Russell says. “When kids come up days, weeks, even months later still quoting lines back to us, it makes everything worth it.”
Yeomans adds, “We want families to walk away grinning, talking, and feeling inspired. Our goal is for them to experience that rare and magical feeling of laughing together. For kids, it’s about leaving with the sense that creativity matters and imagination has power. For parents, it should feel like time well spent – theatre is something for everyone, not just a luxury.”
Once upon a twist
This September, Standing Tree Collective premiered their newest original work, Fractured – Not Another Fairytale at the Civic Theatre Playhouse. The fast-paced family comedy took audiences on a topsy-turvy trip through the world of classic fairy tales, reimagined with a distinctly modern twist.
The story followed Norman, a sceptical Year 6 student who tries to cheat on his English homework using AI, only to find himself unexpectedly transported into a fairy-tale world. But things weren’t quite as he remembered: Hansel and Gretel moonlighted as real estate agents, wolves turned vegan, and a fairy-tailed Uber driver helped him navigate the North Wood.
Playful and witty while still heartwarming, Fractured celebrated imagination, integrity, and the joy of storytelling. With its sharp sense of humour and contemporary edge, the show proved that Standing Tree’s brand of theatre isn’t just for kids, it’s family entertainment designed to spark laughter and conversation across generations.
Looking ahead, Standing Tree Collective hopes to expand with school holiday runs, outdoor pop-up shows, and regional tours. But their vision remains rooted in community.
“We’re dreaming big while staying grounded,” Yeomans says. “Ultimately, we see Standing Tree as a place where local talent can thrive, families can come together, and stories grow roots in the heart of the community.”
For upcoming shows follow Standing Tree on Facebook
Standing Tree Collective Inc