Mount Alexander Shire Council in partnership with the Regional Centre for Culture (RCC) is proudly showcasing its talented community in 2018, with back-to-back local productions at the Phee Broadway Theatre in Castlemaine.
The 2018 program features an entire line-up of home-grown talent including the venue’s first residency program, At Home.
At Home runs for 22 weeks and provides local creatives exclusive access to the venue to develop and perform their work.
Council’s Cultural Development Officer Vicki Anderson said the program offers a variety of performances with something for everyone.
“The performances lined up for 2018 demonstrate why our region has such a strong reputation for creative excellence,” said Ms Anderson.
“It’s going to be exciting to see what local groups will achieve in this great community theatre space,” she said.
The RCC supported Council to develop the At Home program, which aims to create significant new work to celebrate local stories.
RCC Producers Jo Porter and Elizabeth Walsh said they were looking forward to the seeing the program unfold.
"We’re delighted to see how many Mount Alexander Shire artists will be using the Phee Broadway Theatre during 2018 as a result of this joint initiative between the shire and the Regional Centre for Culture,” said Ms Porter.
“We can’t wait to come along to performances this year and into the future,” said Ms Walsh.
The Theatre’s namesake and local arts icon, Phee Broadway is highly supportive of the program and Council’s focus on community access.
"I am delighted to hear that the theatre is in constant use for the rest of the year. It’s a venue which suits a variety of performances, and is very comfortable for audiences,” said Ms Broadway.
“That Council has seen fit to adjust the user requirements is a plus for everyone, as the theatre is a great asset for both local and visiting performers,” she said.
After hosting Mark Penzak and Castlemaine Youth Theatre in March, the Phee will house The Meeting Place, Ms Evie’s School of Tap, Kavisha Mazzella, The Red Room Theatre, Over the Moon Studio and Company On Foot. All residencies offer at least one public performance.
At Home is complemented by new work developed and facilitated by local companies including Punctum’s own residency program Seedpod, Three’s a Crowd’s production of Sweeney Todd and Shakespeare’s As You Like It by the Castlemaine Theatre Company.
For more details about At Home and the 2018 program visit www.pheebroadwaytheatre.com.au.
The RCC 2018 is an initiative of the Victorian Government in partnership with the Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Corporation, City of Greater Bendigo, and the Shires of Central Goldfields, Hepburn and Mount Alexander.