Stephen is a performance maker with a diverse practice working in the Theatre for Early Years field. He makes high quality and meticulously crafted original work.    

Stephen Noonan

Stephen is a performance maker with a diverse practice ranging from theatre, dance, circus and puppetry.

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Since 2011 his current work is in the Theatre for Early Years (TEY), 6mth – 8 years of age, field.

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He makes work for an extremely specific age group because he can create and respond to the cognitive and emotional experiences specific to the age group.

As a performer, Stephen has collaborated and performed with Sally Chance Dance, The PaperBoats, Restless Dance Theatre, Patch Theatre, PVI Collective, Vitalstatistix, State Opera of SA, Yashchin Company, Men of Steel, para//elo, Unreasonable Adults, Dance Exchange, Soft Crash, KneeHIGH, Slack Taxi and Outlet Dance Company.

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Stephen has been a  performer and co-creator in Sally Chance Dance Theatre for Early Years works' including           This [Baby] Life, Nursery, Touch & Go, Seashore and The Thing That Matters. These works have been  presented  in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, Scotland , India and New York.  In 2017 Stephen  began working with The PaperBoats and has toured the platform’s first show Especially on Birthdays in Adelaide, regional South Australia, 2018 Commonwealth Games and at 2019 American ‘Theater for Young Audiences’ National Conference and Festival in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A.

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In 2022, in partnership with The PaperBoats, Stephen created the Boy & the Ball, a theatre work for 4-year-old audiences. It has been presented in Australia, Cuba, Italy, Serbia and Malta. In 2023 it was the winner of Arts South Australia's  Ruby Award for 'Outstanding Work, Event or Project For Young People', which recognises artistic excellence in South Australia.

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He has performed overseas in China, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, U.S.A., Canada, France, India, Scotland and Denmark. He has taught drama and dance at a number of art institutions in Hong Kong, Vietnam and Sweden.

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In 2014 Stephen was awarded a Certificate of Honour at the Mark Butler (M.P.) Arts Awards. His certificate was for ‘outstanding commitment and dedication to the arts in the Port Adelaide community.’

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In 2013 Stephen was one of 6 leading South Australian artists to be commissioned by Adelaide Fringe to create a contemporary performance installation to be viewed through the windows of the State Library of SA.  Described by as a hauntingly beautiful performance, The Special One provided a unique experience for audiences and attracted capacity crowds each night. In 2014 The Special One was performed in the Port Mall as a part of Arts S.A. and Renew Adelaide’s Unexpected Port program.

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In 2008, Stephen talents were recognised again when he was awarded the South Australian Government's Education and Arts Ministers Award for demonstrated excellence in arts teaching and leadership in department schools. In 2009 this award saw him undertake professional development at America Lincoln Center Institute for arts education.

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In 2005 he took part in Time_Place_Space_05 a national hybrid arts laboratory and in 2003 he undertook an Asialink performing arts residency at the Hong Kong Arts Centre where he undertook projects in their arts education program.

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In 2000 Stephen received the Australian Government Centenary Medal in the category of the General List. This commemorative medal marked the achievements of a broad cross section of the Australian community at the commencement of the new century. His citation is for service to the community through the performing arts and is in specific reference to his artistic work in the Woomera Detention Centre and across the Anangu Pitjantjatara Aboriginal Lands Schools.

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Stephen was the inaugural winner of the Dame Ruby Litchfield Scholarship for young artists. This scholarship enabled Stephen to study for one year at Dell Arte School of Physical Theatre, California, U.S.A., 1995-1996.

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Stephen has undertaken master classes and intensive training sessions with Nigel Jamieson, Min Tanaka, Linda Wise, Barrie Kosky, The Roy Hart Centre, The Flying Fruit Fly Circus and National Institute of Circus Arts.

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He has taught for organisations including Flinders University Drama Department and School of Education, Adelaide College for the Arts (TAFE SA), Back to Back Theatre, Restless Dance Theatre, Riverland Youth Theatre, Cirkidz, Urban Myth Theatre and Kurruru Indigenous Youth Performing Arts.

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Stephen has been an assessment panel member of JUMP – a national mentoring program for young and emerging artists, Carclew Youth Arts Project and Development Assessment Panel,  Arts S.A.’s Independent Makers and Presenters panel, Arts S.A’s Community Arts and Cultural Development project funding for Organisations and  Arts S.A.’s / Australia Council artists in residence initiative.

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Stephens independent work has been funded by the Theatre, Dance and Community Partnerships Boards of The Australia Council for the Arts, Arts SA and The Australia International Cultural Council, an initiative of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.