News
Opportunities for people with a disability
October 11, 2010
Pioneering production sets the stage for people with a disability
Blue Roo Theatre’s production The Sugar Cane Ball will open at the Judith Wright Centre this week.
The play is one of the largest-scale professional productions devised for people with a disability in Queensland, with the cast and crew primarily made up of people with a disability.
“This is the first time anything like this has been done in Queensland,” said writer and director Clark Crystal.
“It will be the first large-scale public performance by people with a disability in conjunction with high-profile professional musicians, choreographers as well as set and costume designers.”
Cast and crew have been rehearsing since March, including Endeavour Foundation Industries Northgate supported employee Liam Maloney, 28, who is one of 22 performers in the play.
“Being involved with the play is great fun and we’re all learning new things,” said Liam.
“I love entertaining people. The Sugar Cane Ball is a funny script with lots of singing and dancing, which I really like.”
Liam’s Training and Development Officer at Endeavour Foundation Industries Northgate, Tegan Dowling, said Liam was very excited about the performance. “Liam often entertains staff and fellow supported employees with impromptu song performances,” Tegan said.
“I can’t wait to see him in action on the stage.”
The Sugar Cane Ball is the Blue Roo Theatre’s first production to be shown at the Judith Wright Centre and features respected choreographer Liesel Zink, designer Libby O’Donnell and musical composition by Rhonda Davidson-Irwin.
Brisbane’s Blue Roo Theatre exists to provide performing opportunities for adults who experience disability, as well as to challenge the public’s perceptions of inclusive theatre.
“We provide the opportunity for people with a disability to feel a sense of fulfilment and achievement through theatre,” said Mr Crystal.
“Those involved have gained so much from the experience, particularly with teamwork, social interaction and development.
“It’s a very fluid process. We start with a general story which then develops with the input of the cast.”
The Blue Roo Theatre and Endeavour Foundation have six tickets to give away for The Sugar Cane Ball’s Thursday 14 October 1pm matinee.
Endeavour Foundation Industries Northgate employs 140 people with a disability.
It is one of 26 Endeavour Foundation Industries services located throughout Queensland and Sydney, which provide employment, training and personal development opportunities to more than 1,850 people with a disability.
All proceeds from Endeavour Foundation Industries go toward providing Endeavour’s education, accommodation and employment opportunities to more than 3,400 people with a disability.
What: The Sugar Cane Ball. The play is set in 1955 and is the haunting but surreally funny story about the lead up to the Sugar Cane Ball, which is placed in jeopardy when sugar cane cutters threaten to strike.
When: Thursday 14 October 1pm, Friday 15 October 7.30pm, Saturday 16 October 7.30pm
Where: Judith Wright Centre, 420 Brunswick Street, Fortitude Valley Qld 4006, (07) 3872 9000
Price: $20 or $15 concessions
Contact
Jo Glover, Media and Communications Officer
Phone: (07) 3908 7257, 0429 065 440
Fax: (07) 3253 7271
Email: j.glover@endeavour.com.au
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