Aspiring actors debut youth-focused works
Aspiring young actors from across Victoria will premiere contemporary theatre works at Trafalgar Public Hall this weekend.
A group of 30 young performers are currently undertaking residential theatre intensive project “Theatrecraft Youth Unlimited” at Allambee Camp. This year’s project by The Victorian Drama League seeks to “up the ante” and challenge.
After 10 days of immersive training and rehearsal with local directors Sharryn Marshall, Todd Miller, Andrew Davies as well as other regional directors from Badaginnie and Townsville, the youth will present premiere performances of a suite of specially written new works by emerging playwrights Stephanie Clark of Warragul and Didem Caia of Melbourne.
“The Places You’ll Go” will be on stage at Trafalgar Public Hall on Saturday at 2pm and 8pm as well as Sunday at 2pm.
Amongst the 30 youth are a Tasmanian and eight local performers. They are Rachel Willig, Abel Ferguson, Vanessa Hornby, Alannah Hunt, Gabby Rota, Jess Duivenvoorden, Eliza Greenall and Lewis Neale.
Six of the eight have been assisted by a Baw Baw Shire Council community development grant after showing committed interest in performance arts through their schools and with Warragul Youth Theatre.
Project coordinator Joanne Watt was thrilled to also receive funding support from Trafalgar and District Community Bank’s Youth Foundation and Regional Arts Victoria’s Regional Arts Fund.
“This project pulls together so many elements of modern theatre making practice,” said Ms Watt.
“From the gem of an idea to making the base script material, to working maturely in an ensemble setting with a time constraint, as happens professionally. (We) put it all together in an intensive residential immersion setting at Allambee Camp.”
“This is a great opportunity for young actors to stretch their skills intensively and to meet young actors from diverse locations and with differing experiences and lifestyles,” she added.
“Opportunities for young people to work on contemporary Australian theatre with consideration of their life joys and stressors, makes young writers and young actors a great mix.”
The second part of the project will see totally new productions springing from the same scripts in Bendigo during July.
The shire’s community development grant will assist six different young actors attend.
Tickets to “The Places You’ll Go” performance at Trafalgar are $12.80 per person.
For bookings, visit eventbrite.com.au. Tickets will also be available at the door.