In 2026, Yirra Yaakin Theatre Company dives deep into the themes that connect us all – family, identity, and legacy – brought to life with honesty, wit and joyful laughter.
Artistic Director Maitland Schnaars believes that 2026 will see the continued growth and development of Yirra Yaakin as a significant theatre company with its ongoing and deep commitment to telling Aboriginal stories their way, and creating opportunities for Aboriginal artists both on and off stage.
Schnaars is excited to announce that the 2026 Season features three amazing, contemporary and powerful mainstage productions:
“These productions speak to who we are, where we come from, and where we’re going. These stories are all WA premieres that deserve to be seen, shared, and celebrated. They explore themes as varied as Father/Daughter relationships, tick a box Blackfullas and Black exploitation.”
Opening the year is Katie Beckett’s Which Way Home, a heartfelt journey of love, legacy, and belonging. It is a beautiful Father/Daughter road trip, based on Beckett’s own memories of growing up with her single Aboriginal father.
It is infused with humour and heart as the pair reconnect on the drive back to Country. Which Way Home features real life father and daughter and much-loved Yirra Yaakin performers Derek and Shaquita Nannup. This personal story offers profound insight into father-daughter relationships and challenges traditional ideas of parenthood.
The season runs from 28 April to 9 May in The Studio space at Subiaco Arts Centre.
At What Cost? by Nathan Maynard is the second production of the year and is set in Tasmania. The play raises the issues of ‘tick-a-box blacks’ and asks what it is to be Aboriginal?
Every year, more people turn up claiming to be Palawa. Where have they been all this time? Are they genuine? Or just ticking a box? Who gets to decide who is Aboriginal or not? What happens when your identity is up for debate? Maynard’s bold an unflinching play asks these urgent questions.
At What Cost? is presented in the main auditorium at Subiaco Arts Centre from 17 July to 1 August.
Yirra Yaakin finishes the year with Jacky by Declan Furber Gillick, a co-production with Black Swan State Theatre Company. Jacky is a razor-sharp tale about the cost of keeping it all together.
Jacky is a smart, enterprising young Aboriginal man making a life for himself in the city. He’s skilfully navigating the gig economy, skipping neatly from office internships to cultural performances to sex work. But when his little brother Keith shows up unannounced, Jacky’s carefully compartmentalised lives are thrown into chaos.
This funny and unflinching play about family, work and culture explores the compromises we are prepared to make to survive as Aboriginal people.
Jacky runs from 23 October to 8 November in the main auditorium at Subiaco Arts Centre.
To complement the year, Yirra Yaakin will continue to run Community, Young Artists’, Education, and Emerging Storytellers’ programs.
The year commences with their popular Family Picnic in the beautiful grounds of Subiaco Arts Centre. This FREE family event is about their commitment to and giving back to the local community.
Yirra Yaakin’s continued commitment to Noongar language will be seen through the metropolitan and regional primary school tours of their education work Djinda Kaatijin (to learn about the stars) and the Ngalaka Daa program in partnership with West Australian Youth Theatre Company (WAYTCo).
Yirra Yaarnz, their playwriting program for First Nations emerging and established playwrights, will also return with live readings at WA Museum Boola Bardip.
In 2026, Yirra Yaakin will continue their commitment to regional WA. The 7 Stages Of Grieving by Wesley Enoch and Deborah Mailman, is scheduled (subject to funding), for a regional tour reaching as far north as Karratha and as south as Margaret River.
The company is also providing the Best Value opportunity to experience First Nations’ storytelling at its finest and unforgettable performances with its Koodjal+ two plays or more shows. Sign up to Koodjal+ packages and receive up to 20% off full-price ticketsand enjoy a host of other benefits.
New in 2026 is the introduction $30Under30. If you’re under 30, they’d love for you to enjoy some deadly Aboriginal storytelling at Subiaco Arts Centre for a special price all year round. Tix are just $30 – so grab your besties and catch a Yirra Yaakin show in 2026.
For Aboriginal or Torres Strait patrons, Mob TIX are available at every performance at the discounted rate of $25!
“Don’t look at us and what we do on stage. But through us and what we do, and at yourself, your world, not ours.”
For more information about the 2026 Season, please visit the Yirra Yaakin Theatre Company website.
Website: www.yirrayaakin.com.au
Socials: https://www.instagram.com/yirra_yaakin/
Hero image photo credit: Frances Andrijich
