Socials content + stills2024 –

Opera Australia – Young Artist Program

Social media content and photography for Opera Australia’s Young Artist Program, made in close collaboration with its artists and one of Australia’s most iconic arts organisations.

Young Artist Program ↗@operaaustralia ↗

Client: Opera Australia
Socials content + stills: Justin McLean

Case study

The program

Since Opera Australia reintroduced its Young Artist Program in 2025, I have worked closely with the team to produce social media content and stills photography.

Social media

The social media content initially aimed to build excitement and anticipation around the audition process. It later shifted to giving opera lovers a closer look at the program itself through an authentic, documentary-style approach with moments of humour—a look behind the curtain, so to speak.

Stills photography

I document rehearsals and performances across the program’s varied settings—from intimate venues such as the Opera Centre in Surry Hills and The Church in Alexandria to the Joan Sutherland Theatre at the Sydney Opera House.

StillsJustin McLean

The Church

Alexandria · 2026

A singer in a white dress on a vintage telephone, warm stage lights behind

Two singers face each other, one shirtless, in a scene at The Church

A singer looks up in alarm as another in a beanie leans on his shoulder

A singer sits reading a letter in warm window light

Black and white: a singer lies across a bed holding a telephone receiver

Black and white: a singer in a beanie looks up into the light

Two singers lie tangled together on a bed, seen from above

French Season

Opera Centre, Surry Hills · 2026

A singer tangled in gold tinsel streamers

A staged scene at a long table, seen over the heads of the audience

Two singers in a close embrace under a warm spotlight

A singer in a white suit under blue light

Black and white: a crowned singer aims a pistol

Black and white: a singer in a white suit, head bowed, hands clasped

Joan Sutherland Theatre

Sydney Opera House · 2026

A répétiteur at the piano, seen over his shoulder

Two singers rehearse on the stage floor against a painted forest backdrop

A singer sits on a chair on the dim stage, a painted forest behind

Three singers rehearse a scene, one holding a score

A singer laughs beside the grand piano during rehearsal

Black and white: a singer moves past a stage ladder during rehearsal

A singer in a red ball gown and a crowned singer in performance

Four singers in evening dress around a wooden wardrobe on stage

A full scene on stage with a ladder, a singer in red at its centre

A singer sits alone in a pool of light beside a wooden wardrobe

The young artists and company gather for a group photo on stage

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