STAGES Episode 620: HAYDEN TONAZZI

STAGES Episode 620: HAYDEN TONAZZI

From STAGES with Peter Eyers by Peter Eyers

May 2, 2026 · 44 min · Season 9 · Episode 620

About this episode

Hayden Tonazzi discusses their journey as a director and creative producer in the theatre industry.

Hayden Tonazzi is an award-winning director and creative producer who in 2025 was appointed the Artistic Director & CEO of the Australian Theatre for Young People (ATYP). A graduate of the 2019 NIDA MFA Directing Program, for over eight years’ they have worked across new writing in theatre and musical theatre, most notably Saplings by Hannah Belanszky for the 2024 Sydney Festival (Winner of Best Production for Young People, Sydney Theatre Awards), Pickled كبيس for PYT Fairfield & Downstairs Belvoir, the last train to madeline by Callum Mackay for Fever103 and MeatMarkets Melbourne, and Converted! by Vic Zerbst with Oliver John Cameron for the 2025 Sydney Festival. In 2022 they were awarded the inaugural Backing The Future Award from the Vincent Fairfax Family Foundation (VFFF), which allowed them to build skills in artistic and organisational leadership through the role of Artistic Associate for ATYP. During this time, they were responsible for Generator: Regional Connections Program with the Office for Regional Youth, mentoring 12 teaching artists across regional NSW, and supporting them in the delivery of free drama workshops for over 700 young people. Shortly after…

People in this episode

Host: Peter Eyers

Guest: Hayden Tonazzi

Topics covered

  • theatre
  • directing
  • creative production
  • youth arts
  • awards
  • mentorship

Keywords

  • Hayden Tonazzi
  • Australian Theatre for Young People
  • theatre directing
  • youth theatre
  • Sydney Festival

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Australian Theatre for Young People, Vincent Fairfax Family Foundation

Books & works: Saplings, Pickled كبيس, the last train to madeline, MeatMarkets Melbourne, Converted!

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