CANBERRA Youth Theatre’s first venture for the year is “I’m Me”, a twilight performance festival for 7-12 year olds aimed at exploring new ways to make theatre while celebrating the idea of “being me”.

The company believes it’s also scored a first in staging “the first festival ever created for young kids in theatre” – in Canberra, that is.

Seven new theatre works have been developed by seven Canberra directors, each starting from a “word” in some way and to be presented on a rotational basis over four hours. There’ll be dance theatre, roving comedy, physical poetry, musical theatre, immersive art and invisible theatre. It all winds up with an outdoor dance party in the courtyard.

“I’m Me” features a rehearsed reading of a new play called “The Skywhale: A Play for Ten Children”, written by Julian Hobba to look at “empathy” through children’s eyes. But will there be room for a very large floating female whale?

“I’m Me” festival, Gorman Arts Centre, 5pm-9pm, March 31, staggered entry at 5pm, 5.10pm and 5.20pm. Bookings to cytc.net