Sept 21-22 2024

Untold Stories

Bring Untold Stories to Life

Are you a student passionate about drama and making a difference? Join us at this upcoming Theatre Festival, where you'll have the chance to:

Collaborate with like-minded peers from across Hong Kong
Create original work for performance, inspired by the stories of local refugees and asylum seekers
Use drama as a powerful medium to inspire compassion and amplify untold narratives

This is your opportunity to use your creative voice to make an impact. Share your talents, learn from others, and be part of a meaningful, cross-cultural experience.

Logistics:

Saturday Sept 21 from 9:00am to 4:00pm

Sunday Sept 22 from 9:00am to 4:00pm

(with culminating performance at 3:00pm)

Venue: Leo Lee Arts Centre, Canadian International School of Hong Kong

For all students aged 11-18 passionate about the performing arts

Fee: HK$1500

ISTA Academy Practitioners:

Lindsey McAlister OBE, JP

Dr. Juliette O'Brien

Schools represented so far:

Canadian International School of Hong Kong

Chinese International School

Creative Secondary School

Diocesan Girls' School

Discovery College

ESF Shatin College

French International School

ISF Academy

ESF Island School

Malvern College

Marymount School

Po Leung Kuk Choi Kai Yau School

Renaissance College

Victoria Shanghai Academy

YMCA of Hong Kong Christian College

Who We Are

We are an inclusive and diverse performing arts community that provides young people the opportunity to create and connect across cultures, developing skills and awareness to engage with and change the world responsibly.

Award Winning Patrons

supported by a board of award winning industry experts in the entertainment industry

Our board of award winning patrons include actors, writers, directors, special effects gurus, composers, producers and musicians who have led workshops, masterclasses and connected our alumni to industry experts.

More about our patrons

What students say...

'The ISTA Academy helps you to develop skills that you can apply to life in general - from developing an open mind, to collaborating with a wide age range of people.'

'I have learned so much more than Drama. I have learned to collaborate, listen, explore ideas, let go of ideas and to bring my very best to the process - for myself and for everyone else.'

'This experience has developed my skills as an actor. I am so much more aware of all the ingredients that can combine to make a performance magical'

What parents say...

'It got me so emotional. I realised all of these issues transcend, age, gender, culture and country and I think these are the root causes of so many problems in humanity and it's so inspiring seeing such young people get to the core of it so early on in life when many of us don't.'

'The students were able to express their feelings regarding the past 2 years, their struggles, their transitions.'

' Being part of ISTA has pushed my child even further in their ability to have empathy and understanding of others.'

What teachers say...

The Arts are a social commentary of the world around us and our interaction in that world. Exposing young people to varying forms of personal expression allows them a greater depth and sophistication in their perceptions of the world around them.'

'ISTA can help the shy child come out, and the restless child to follow a discipline, both in a safe, constructive environment.'

'ISTA helps young people develop skills to find comfort in the unknown, knowing they can find creative solutions and work together with others.'