While COVID-19 may have temporarily brought down the curtain on theatre and the arts across the world, dynamic directing duo Lesley Summers and Trish Deakin have been planning for brighter times and bringing the laughter back to the company and their audiences.
“We might’ve been unable to be on stage recently but it hasn’t stopped our enthusiasm for the arts and as long as we can provide a safe environment for actors to rehearse and for people to come and enjoy a laugh or two, then that’s what we want to do”, Ms Deakin said.
Their next project is Barbecue, an Australian play by Daryl Peebles.
With a cast of 10, the directors want to present the full-length play in late February and early March next year in a relaxed venue that reflects the laidback nature of the play.
“It’s set in an Aussie backyard where the newly moved-in family, having just won the lottery, have invited the neighbours over for a barbie to introduce themselves to the upper class street they now call home,” Ms Deakin said.
“It explores a ‘class-based society’ within Australia and the pressures to change or conform in a humorous way.”
Without being able to hold an information evening to launch the play, EMTC is asking for people to submit their names for an audition or to help with backstage work.
The cast requires five female and five male characters, aged from late teens to mature-age.
Other positions include costume assistants, hair/makeup assistants, stage design and builders, lighting design/ operation, sound operation, stage management, prompt, front of house and backstage crew.
Auditions will be held on Friday and Saturday, November 27 and 28, at EMTC’s ‘The Shed’ in Simmie St, with COVID-19 safe practices in place.
You must be 18 to audition.
Anyone interested can find information at EMTC’s Facebook page or email Lesley Summers at secretary@emtc.org.au
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