Our Story
Since founders Hazem Shammas and Bryce Youngman founded Poetry In Action in 2006, the company has skyrocketed to become one of Australia’s premier touring theatre companies.
OUR VISION
TO BE AN EXPRESSIVE AND ARTICULATE AUSTRALIAN VOICE IN THE WORLD
OUR MISSION
OUR MISSION IS TO UNLOCK THE POWER OF WORDS FOR EVERYONE
WHO WE ARE
Yearly collaborations with some of Australia’s most renowned creatives have resulted in the transformation of poetry and literature into dozens of fun, engaging and exciting theatrical experiences for young audiences across Australia and internationally.
Our highly popular School Tour sees us perform to around 60,000 young people each year, enhancing their learning and self-expression through the power of art and poetry.
First Nations program
The PIA team has been delivering an intensive literacy program to Indigenous students in the remote Papunya region in the Northern Territory, with these young people now discovering the joys of the written and spoken word towards becoming articulate and expressive Australians.
MAIN STAGE &
unlocking the power of words
PIA is also nurturing new audiences through active collaborations with leading theatre companies to bring exciting performances to the main stage.
In 2022, PIA proudly showcased it’s first MainStage development, a re-imagining of John Milton’s classic, Paradise Lost. Check out the trailer for this exciting project below!
professional development
PIA knows that poetry is best in action – we’ve made it easier for educators to engage young people in the power of poetry, with the help of unique, resourceful teacher training content!
Join the Journey
Our successes, an enthusiastic audience demand and our commitment to providing accessible low-cost, inclusive, and high quality programs has only been made possible through invaluable philanthropic support from donors, grant funding and people just like you.
Our History
OUR EVER EXPANDING POETRY REACH
2010
We started in the ACT and close regional NSW
2011
Expanded to Melbourne and Brisbane, regional and remote NSW
2012
Expanded to regional Victoria and Adelaide
2013
We made it over to Perth!
2014
Expanded to regional SA and regional WA
2015
Started performing in Tasmania
2016
Brought the power of words to the Northern Territory
2017
Overseas expansion to New Zealand
2018
Explored new lands in Hong Kong and Macau
2019
Expanding again – now into Dubai
2020
Successfully navigated the COVID-19 pandemic through digital and interactive media
2021
Continued to adapt in world-changing circumstances
2022
Emerged in a post-COVID world completing its first MainStage development
2023
Thrived and increased it’s audience size to almost 60,000 young people, growing back to pre-COVID levels
2024
Welcomed a Head of Impact & Engagement
PIA Timeline Block
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