PRESS RELEASE
While the nation debates the social media ban starting December 10, 36 young people in Denmark, WA, are already proving there's life beyond the scroll – by mastering professional theatre in just 10 weeks.
Denmark, WA – December 8, 2025 – As Australia prepares to enforce the world's first social media ban for under-16s this Wednesday (December 10), a group of regional Western Australian teens is already leading the charge in a different direction – trading TikTok for tech theatre, Instagram for imagination, and Snapchat for stage management.
In Denmark (population 6,000), 36 young people aged 7-16 are defying the national narrative of screen-addicted youth. Instead of scrolling, they're building: 46 costume changes, 16 scene transitions, 20+ lighting cues, and over 50 props for Storybook Stage Company's production of "Where Am I This Time?" – a feat most adult theatre companies take 4-6 months to achieve. They're doing it in 10 weeks.
And they're doing it together, in real life, with no filters.
A Counter-narrative to the social media debate
The timing couldn't be more striking. As platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, X, YouTube, and Reddit scramble to comply with the government's ban – deactivating accounts for hundreds of thousands of Australian teens and implementing age verification systems – this remote corner of WA is offering a glimpse of what happens when young people put screens away by choice.
"We've got teenagers who could be on their phones, but instead they're learning how to run a lighting board, build props, and manage a stage crew," said Tila Clark, Assistant Director and co-founder of Storybook Stage Company. "They're gaining real-world skills, confidence, and friendships that no algorithm can provide."
The production is a state first: young people aren't just performing – they're leading the technical magic behind the curtain. Seven local teens aged 13-16 are training under professional mentors (including Peter Cook, Theatre Manager at Albany Light Opera and Theatre Company, Sound Engineer James Gentle, and Lighting Engineer David Nile) in sound engineering, lighting design, props construction, stage management, and stagehand duties. These are skills typically inaccessible without leaving regional WA – or vanishing into the void of social media feeds.
"When you walk into most regional youth theatre productions, the backstage crew are usually parents with clipboards," Clark said. "This time, it's teenagers too. They're learning to do what the professionals do."
Youth take charge - Centre stage and back
At the helm is 16-year-old Kira Clark, founder and director of Denmark's Storybook Stage Company. A homeschooled WAAPA Diploma of Music (Contemporary Voice) graduate and the youngest cast member in Albany Light Opera's award-winning We Will Rock You, Kira is proof that regional teens can thrive without the lure of endless scrolling.
"It's a fast-moving, layered production," said Kira. "I'm so proud of how dedicated our cast and crew are. It's been amazing to watch everyone develop new skills and confidence both on and off the stage."
The production brings together 29 students aged 7-14 from four local schools – Kwoorabup Nature School, Denmark Primary, Golden Hill Steiner School, and the homeschool community. The original script, penned by Tila Clark, weaves together Cinderella, Snow White, Red Riding Hood, Goldilocks, Aladdin, Ariel, and the Seven Dwarves in a tangled fairy-tale adventure where protagonist Lucy must restore courage and kindness to a chaotic kingdom.
Sixteen-year-old trainee Skipp Riemer, focusing on stage management, shared: "It's so good. I'm enjoying learning more about the technical side of being a stage hand and stage management. Our mentor Peter is very knowledgeable and engaging."
Nine-year-old Jordan Smith, a veteran of all four Storybook productions, reflected: "Three years ago I was too shy to audition and struggled to engage in my first few drama classes. Now I'm playing Goldilocks, and I can't imagine not being part of this. I love the friends I have made and the confidence I have built."
Why this matters for all Aussie youth
For regional Australia, the stakes are high. Denmark (like many small towns) faces a persistent challenge: creative young people leaving because they can't see a pathway forward. Screen culture exacerbates this isolation, offering the illusion of connection while draining time and energy from real-world skill-building.
Storybook Stage Company, founded in 2023 with support from a Regional Arts WA "Next Gen Grant," has engaged over 40 local children across four productions since early 2024. The Next Gen Arts panel praised the project for its "strong youth engagement, leadership development, community collaboration, and artistic ambition," highlighting its "long-term potential for skill-building in the region."
The mentorship model – if successful – could be replicated by other regional youth arts organisations across Australia, offering a roadmap for keeping teens engaged, skilled, and grounded in their communities.
"We've got young people in Denmark who are keen to learn tech, design, and organisation, and our mentorship program gives them professional guidance," said Kira Clark. "You don't need a screen to find your tribe or your talent."
A timely reminder as the social media ban takes effect
As Australian parents, educators, and policymakers grapple with the implications of the under-16 social media ban – from age verification headaches to teens migrating to unregulated platforms – Denmark's young theatre-makers offer a timely reminder: when given the chance, young people will choose creativity, connection, and challenge over the scroll.
The production is a true community effort, hosted at the Denmark Civic Centre with support from local businesses and 14 parent volunteers. Performances are scheduled for December 13 (11:00am) and December 14 (11:00am & 2:00pm). Tickets: Adults $15.00, Children $7.50. Book via https://www.storybookstagecompany.com.
For 36 young participants – performers, trainees, and crew – this represents something rare in regional (and increasingly, urban) Australia: the chance to build professional creative skills without leaving home, and without a screen in sight.
"In 10 weeks, these young people will have built something extraordinary," said Tila Clark. "And they're showing the rest of the country what's possible when we give kids something real to work towards."