Chisholm St: A Night with Sondheim

Chisholm St is a live performance space on Wadawurrung country, Ballarat. We acknowledge the traditional owners of the land and recognise that their sovereignty was never ceded. 

Performance. Community. Connection. 

Chisholm St is a live performance space on Wadawurrung country, Ballarat. We acknowledge the traditional owners of the land and recognise that sovereignty was never ceded.  

Hosted by Bronwyn Blaiklock, Chisholm St is an intimate foray into fascinating corners of classical music. The platform provides a performance space for musicians and poets based in Ballarat and the region. The annual concert series offers an eclectic program with an ethos of shared inspiration. The intimate space gives you a rare glimpse into creative music-making, up close and personal.  

All tickets include refreshments - wine, cheese and other delectables - and you are invited to stay on afterwards to meet the performers and enjoy the Chisholm St. community. 

Performances are one hour duration unless stated otherwise. Concerts start at 6:00 pm; please arrive in time to settle in. Dress for the weather - doors to the deck could be open if the temperature is mild (though our performers' comfort gets priority). If you are unwell at the time of a concert and you have missed the chance to request a refund, please consider gifting your seat to a friend! 

SEASON FINALE: A Night with Sondheim | 5 & 6 December

Stephen Sondheim wasn’t just a composer; he was a master storyteller who reflected the complexities of the human experience. Join us as we celebrate his wit, heartbreak, and soaring melodies, paying tribute to this theatrical legend. Music theatre performer and vocal powerhouse Sarahlouise Younger, along with award-nominated composer Daniel Tusjak, will bring to life the iconic works that redefined Broadway. Experience the acerbic truths of Company, the haunting beauty of Follies, the darkness of Into the Woods, and the dramatic depths of Gypsy.

Don't miss this final night of pure theatrical magic to conclude our season at Chisolm St. We invite you to bring an extra snack or beverage to share as we celebrate the final series for 2025.

The performers

Sarahlouise Younger is a seasoned performing artist with over 25 years of performing experience. She made her professional debut as a child in the Australian production of The Wizard of Oz. Select professional credits include Wild World-The Cat Stevens Story (Hit Productions), The Rocky Horror Picture Show (Variety), City of Angels (Just Pretending Co) and Nothing to Lose (Force Majeure). Her festival credits include Melbourne Fringe, Sydney Cabaret Festival and Melbourne Cabaret Festival. As a playwright, her works have been selected for residency and development with TheatreWorks “She Writes” program, Abbotsford Convent Pivot Program and Ilbijerri Theatre Company’s “Blackwrights” program. As an educator, she has taught for the Federation University Arts Academy, The Australia School (Singapore) Pineapple Studios (UK), Theatre Blacks, The Dance Studio Academy of Performing Arts, Bendigo South East Colleges Creative Arts extension program, and the Ballarat Centre of Music and the Arts.

Sarahlouise is the co-founder of Salty Theatre (Emeritus) and the co-creator of The Hatch Lab Music Theatre Residency program (including The Workshop and Hatchling). During her time at Salty Theatre she was the co-producer for the Australian premieres People Suck A Musical Airing of Grievances, Top Gun! The Musical, Voldemort and the Teenage Hogwarts Musical Parody and Stranger Sings! The Parody Musical (upon their exit). Sarahlouise is represented by UE Agency and a proud member of MEAA.

Dan Tusjak is a pianist who regularly performs around town, recently including shows ‘The Wonder of Bacharach’ with Peter Cupples, ‘Promises Promises’ with Janet Ross-Fahy, and ‘Songs of Sarah Bareilles’ with Elissa Parsons. He has also worked seasonally with the Australian Girls Choir and Victorian Opera as pianist and repetiteur. Daniel has worked with many other household names, including Debra Byrne, Kate Ceberano and Luke Kennedy. He is an avid music theatre musician, having played on the Australian premiere of ‘Catch Me If You Can’ among many other shows in the independent, community and education spaces. He has been Music Director for ‘A Chorus Line’, the Australian premiere of ‘Made in Dagenham’, ‘Welcome to Thebes’, and ‘Motor-Mouth Loves Suck-Face’ at Federation University Arts Academy.

As a composer, Daniel has written music for short film, theatre, cabaret and video games. His music for ‘A Gift Horse’ was nominated for Best Original Score in My Rode Reel’s short film competition. His other short film work include ‘Bear’ and ‘On the Wall’. Daniel’s theatre/cabaret work include ‘Infectuated’, ‘Footballers Are A Godsend’, and ‘Pirates: The Search for Christmas Treasure’. His video game work includes ‘StarMade’, Royal Children’s Hospital’s ‘Create Explore Learn’, and ‘MindQuest’. A commission for the Gold Museum saw his music appear at the ‘Wonderful Things’ exhibition, celebrating 40-years of the Gold Museum in Ballarat. For his Masters, Daniel wrote a series of etudes for solo piano inspired by the principles of the Taubman Approach. The suite garnered the praise of Dr. Michael Kieran Harvey who, identifying the inspirations of Ravel, Debussy, Bartok and jazz, remarked on the “high level of artistic integrity in the composition, which display profound thought and emotional depth”.

Daniel currently works at Federation University Arts Academy as the Lecturer in Music Theatre, championing the next generation of Australian musical storytellers and theatre makers.

The venue

Seating
Bespoke reupholstered deck chairs and lounge suite awaits you, however, be sure to dress warmly as seating extends to an external covered deck and this is Ballarat, after all. 

Children
Young children are welcome at Chisholm St, although paid ticket-holders have priority of seating. Children are welcome to enjoy the garden and cubby house during daytime performances. 

Refreshments
You are invited to join the performers for refreshments afterwards. This includes wine, cheese, gluten-friendly snacks, light drinks, tea and coffee at no extra charge. You are welcome to bring a bottle of your favourite beverage. 

Illness
Please do not attend if you are unwell. If you are unable to attend due to illness, we may be able to arrange a transfer of your ticket. Consider sending a friend in your place if you can't make it for any reason.