Our 2018 season productions are completed. However our life in theatre still goes on with preparations around the 2019 season and ongoing house keeping, keeping us all busy till Christmas. As we fast approach the festive season, I have been asked by Elle our wonderful marketing and social media expert to put a few words together for her newsletter about the company’s activities this year. Elle tells me I have a word limit so this will be interesting, now where do I start.
The year started with the first of our ongoing workshops around developing a sustainable business plan including a new vision for the company in preparation for our partnership with the Werribee Secondary College (WSC), Wyndham Council and the state government are supporting this through a grant which will allow redevelopment of the WSC Joy Bevan Theatre as a proposed home for the theatre Company. Thanks to Nigel Sutton for guiding us through this process.
Our first production this year was Calendar Girls under the guidance of our own Renee Belsey as production manager and George Benca as director. It proved to be a fabulous show which our audience loved, a credit to everyone behind the scenes, our cast and not to forget our front of house team who meet and greet our audience. The scones and cream served at intermission are to die for. I know, I have eaten too many of them this year. Well done Rose and her team who cook all those homemade goodies for each show.
This year we celebrated the company’s 50th Anniversary and thanks to the support of Wyndham City Council we were able to celebrate it with a gala night and 2 performances of Alaine Beek’s acclaimed Point Of No Return in the Wyndham Cultural Centre. Apart from being our Artistic Director Alaine’s company, Essence Productions, is our professional partner. It was wonderful to meet up with many past WTC members including members of the original 1968 committee. I also had the great pleasure of working with Alaine on her regional 4 week tour this year.
After the excitement of the 50th Anniversary and PONR tour we settled into our next offering of a One Act Play series of performances. This was something new for us and was originally thought to of to give our new and aspiring actors and directors a chance to strut their stuff. It connects well with our partnership with WSC and their after school Drama Club run by Alaine giving graduating students a chance to continue their theatre interests after year 12. Our talented Elle produced the production and directed Fates Thread, Chris De Zeeuw directed Death And His Brother Sleep (Both Chris and his cast are past Drama Club members). George Benca added an experienced touch with his production of Albert. It proved to be a successful collection of new and experienced talent. Well done to all.
With 2018 season done we have locked in our offerings for 2019 with Stepping Out directed by Renee Belsey. We will be supporting Alaine with the Drama Club production Connected in 2019 and I am looking forward to the interstate tour of her Point Of No Return.
A special thanks to our friends and Partners at Crossroads Uniting Church who without their support we would not have a theatre to perform in. Thanks to Wyndham City Council and Arts Assist for their ongoing generous support.
A big thanks to all of our committee, supporters and to you our audience, we look forward to 2019 and continue to strive to bring quality theatre to Wyndham.
Alan Thompson
President WTC