Billy Dower Youth Centre has once again built a ripper program of activities for the school holidays, with barista training classes, laser tag and video game knowledge all on the bill.
But one event in particular stands out as a great opportunity for Mandurah’s budding comedians.
Running at the centre on both Tuesdays of the school holidays, July 4 and 11, will be a Comedy Academy Workshop, potentially a front door into the world of stand-up and improv comedy.
Billy Dower youth worker and comedy program organiser Mitchell Griffin said the need for a flexible, casual platform for theatre and performance was a driver for the idea.
“We identified a lot of young people wanting to perform, but there were a lot of things that prevented them from becoming involved in large-scale performances,” Mr Griffin said.
“Things like big theatre shows with a set schedule, there are a lot of kids who have other commitments, especially school and sports.
“And those kids that are in more need of support, it's hard for them to get to frequent rehearsals if they don't have a care or an effective means of public transport.”
Mr Griffin said Billy Dower had run drama programs in the past, and there was obviously a range of groups available in the area, but a focus on much smaller productions, even one-man performances, was needed.
“A lot of the feedback was that people don't have two or three weeks to bump in, which is the usual timeframe for a big production,” Mr Griffin said.
“So there was a lot of thinking, and a lot of discussing with members of the community that were involved in theatre, about how we could work this to cover as many of those bases as possible - kids who were interested in getting into theatre, but weren't completely sure and couldn't take time off school.
“So it was about putting on this exciting program that still had enough flexibility - really getting the best of both worlds.”
Co-ordinator Tracey Johnson said the program checked off many of Billy Dower’s aims in social inclusion.
“While there are a lot of kids out there who get the opportunity to perform through schools, there are other kids out there who have to work or have to look after family members, they don't get the same opportunity,” she said.
“So this isn't necessarily about giving those kids the chance above others, but it's about levelling the playing field and making sure that the kids in this community all get the same opportunity.”
The program will include support from Perth-based comedy outfit Only the Human, a group dedicated, according to their bio, to forming a basis of equality and inclusion in comedy.
“One of the reasons we're really happy with Only the Human as the group putting it on is that they have a really strong belief in creating a youth culture that's inclusive, where everyone feels like they belong,” Ms Johnson said.
“We believe that's such an important element to always have when you're working on things like this, so we're glad it's there.”
Most of all, the Billy Dower team is excited about bringing comedy to youth because it grants them an opportunity to express themselves in ways they might not have imagined before.
“There are so many facets to improv comedy, so many different ways you can engage with the process and material,” Mr Griffin said.
“Especially with young people, there's a lot of thought that can be poured into the idea of, 'What is funny?'.
"Some people just say abdsurdly rude things for shock value, so there'll be a bit of analysis where we'll be thinking, 'Is that funny, why is that humurous, is it too far?'
"And these are conversations that young people are having anyway - this really gives them the opportunity to do it in a safe space, and through a lens they might have never thought of before."