perspectives: Queensland Youth Theatresports Festival Grand Finals
Picture: The MC and Finalists at the afternoon Youth Theatresports Grand Final, featuring the winning Padua College Jackson Five team (Image credit: Creative Futures Photography).
Now running since 1989, the Queensland Youth Theatresports Festival is a fantastic initiative. The annual improvised theatre competition brings together schools from the Greater Brisbane region (and beyond) to celebrate Theatresports and improvised theatre.
I was fortunate to attend the two October 2026 Grand Finals, held at the Kelvin Grove La Boite Theatre. The popular afternoon Youth Grand Final featured six schools and colleges, and the evening High School Final was a closely fought battle between seven teams. Each team competed in several rounds, entertaining their enthusiastic audiences and the team of experienced Improv Judges
The judges had a difficult task, and gave some great feedback before awarding the newly minted trophies for each final. But I am thinking that there might need to be a few extra prizes for each show. I have three immediate suggestions, and a few hot contenders for each possible new award. Firstly, a ‘best team introduction award’. My personal shortlist would be entertaining Youth Finals Padua College Jackson Five intro, and Carmichael College Ignoble Nonsense grand entrance: both well thought-through introductions that were funny and energetic. Secondly, perhaps a ‘people’s choice’ award—although I guess this might be difficult to administer as several of the teams brough very enthusiastic groups of supporters… Perhaps an alternative might be a prize for best supporters—at the October finals, a close-run race between the Sheldon College Senior Citizen supporters (those T-shirts!) and the All Hallows Secret Scottish fans (it is a long time since I have seen so many Scottish flags). Thirdly, a dramatic category, where the clear winner for me had to be the St Josephs Gregory Terrace Baked Beanz film noir piece, thanks to its excellent narrator and improv by the whole team… with a runner up accolade to the St Johns Wishart Uno High School team.
Picture credit: Creative Futures Photography.
Picture: Excellent Theatresports work by Keith on keys (picture credit: Creative Futures Photography)
Picture credit: Creative Futures Photography.
Picture credit: Creative Futures Photography.
Picture Credit: Creative Futures Photography.
Picture credit: Creative Futures Photography.
Picture credit: Creative Futures Photography.
Picture: The enthusiastic Sheldon Senior Citizens team supporters (Image credit: Creative Futures Photography).
Picture: Improv Queensland President, and Theatresports Producer/evening show MC, Wade Robinson (Image credit: Creative Futures Photography).
It is clear to see that participating in the festival is a great way to build confidence, creativity, and teamwork. And the groups of students who were representing their schools and colleges were certainly having a lot of fun. For schools who are yet to enter a team into future competitions, Improv Queensland offer a 60-90 minute ‘Crash Course’ which provides students with a quick introduction to key improvised theatre (and comedy) skills, and runs through the format of the competition. And there is also a series of classes to expand on the basics.
I just wish I’d had the chance to learn a little more about Theatresports when at junior or high school!
Picture: The Finalists at the evening High Schools Theatresports Grand Final, featuring the winning Sheldon College Senior Citizens team (Image credit: Creative Futures Photography).
Audience information: The Queensland Youth Theatresports Festival is an improvised theatre competition that was first established in 1989, and is now organised by Improv Queensland. In 2026, the Grand Finals were held at La Boite Theatre on 17 October. The 2027 Youth Theatresports competition heats are held between 27 April and 10 June. Semi-finals will be held between 19 July and 5 August 2027, with the dates of the Grand Finals yet to be advised.
Founded in 2004, Improv Queensland is a not-for-profit arts organisation. With the goal of creating and developing the art of improvised theatre, Improv Queensland performs locally and internationally, and provides respected improvisation training.