Millions of connections are taking place right now, all at once, in this moment.
We are chatting, creating, debating and selling more than ever before.
We are connected, but are we close?
Mandurah youth theatre troupe Riptide will premiere its latest show The Ones the Zeros and Everything in Between, next month, inviting audiences to think about digital communication.
Read More:
The show will feature 11 talented people from the Peel region.
The production will be performed at the Mandurah Performing Arts Centre from September 18 to 23.
Riptide artistic associate Clea Purkis said the production was inspired by the different ways the world is communicating.
“...whether good or bad,” she said.
“The work explores how the changing ways in which we communicate with each other are simultaneously bringing us closer together and pulling us apart.
“A further source of inspiration was ensemble members relationship with technology, and what connection and disconnection means to them.”
Rehearsals for the production began last Thursday and a sneak peek for members of the public took place on Saturday.
Stuart has been encouraging members to engage with the script to build an even more incredible production.
- Clea Purkis
The ensemble are being coached by experienced actor and director Stuart Halusz, to further their training and skills, as part of the Country Arts WA Drug Aware Y-Culture regional program.
Purkis said Stuart Halusz was “incredible”.
“Stuart has been encouraging members to engage with the script to build an even more incredible production,” she said.
Ensemble member Teaghan Lowry (18) said Halusz’s help was valuable.
“Stuart is helping us all to understand more deeply how to read a script and transform it into an engaging performance,” she said.
Award-winning West Australian writer Chris Isaacs was co-commissioned by The Australian Theatre for Young People (ATYP) and Riptide to write the performance.
Lowry said the script was well-crafted.
“The ensemble also worked with the writer in the development of the play and are very excited to bring the script to life,” she said.
“We gave Chris our thoughts and opinions on communication and how technology affects the way we connect with each other.
“It feels great performing a script on which we had real impact in shaping.”
ATYP’s artistic director Fraser Corfield said the script was exceptional.
“With the support of Jane FitzGerald, Chris has created an exceptional work for young actors,” he said.
“In a series of simple vignettes, he creates an extraordinary tapestry reflecting young people’s relationship with technology.
“This is one of the finest plays created for young people that those of us involved in programming at ATYP have ever read."
With production support from the State Government through the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries, the troupe will be working with a professional director and design team to bring the work to audiences in Mandurah.
For more information or tickets visit www.manpac.com.au.
