History Of Child Players
Child Players ACT was founded in 2005 by Kathy Thomas and BJ Anyos, a mother and daughter team with a love of theatre and a commitment to passing on that love to future generations! BJ and Kathy made the perfect team. BJ created and delivered theatre training classes; and wrote and directed everything on the stage while Kathy managed every aspect of the enrolments and productions off the stage.
BJ’s son Nick was the first member of the next generation of our family to inherit his family’s love of theatre. He acted for many years, did pre-show entertainment (with other awesome jugglers) and directed! BJ’s niece Katie Lee Kavanagh also joined the company, first as an actor and now a director and script writer. Three generations of our family have shared their love for theatre though Child Players ACT. This makes us a family-run theatre company in the truest sense of the word. Together we aim to inspire a passion for theatre and welcome others into the Child Players Family!
Over the years we have brought together an amazing team of passionate and dedicated theatre educators who share our vision! Such as our incredibly organised and hard-working production manager Ange Fewtrell. Ange started as a parent helper with a love of theatre, who soon fell in love with the children and what our company offers. She fully embraced Child Players ACT mission, and Kathy trained Ange to take over as our company’s production manager. She is now an invaluable member of the Child Players ACT family and BJ is thankful for everything she does for the company!
Also, the inspiring musical director and educator Dr Georgia Pike-Rowney; and the knowledgeable musical educator and composer Dr Susan West, co-directors of the Music Engagement Program, have been working closely with Child Players ACT for over 10 years. They share our philosophy of theatre education and give our children musical theatre training and opportunities.
In 2025 we celebrated years of delivering positive theatre experiences to Canberra’s children and young people.
In 2026, Child Playerstransitioned into a not-for-profit charitable organisation, expanding our capability to equip children with vital life skills and self-confidence through positive, inclusive performing arts experiences.
Through the vital support of tax-deductible donations, we are able to reduce financial barriers and ensure that every child - regardless of their background, ability, or socioeconomic status - has the opportunity to benefit from active creative participation. Your generosity directly funds our subsidised placements and expanding scholarship programs, helping more young people experience the transformative power of positive theatre.
Finally, we have a large team of passionate and talented mentors, many of whom were participants in our programs as children, and are now dedicated to educating and supporting the next generation of young performers.
