A Different Craft

“In character, I brandished a pair of craft scissors.. as I fashioned a piece of silk into an exotic throw ... “ (Deb in Precious by Olivia Na)

This might not be the craft you had in mind but it brings me joy and if covid gets out of the way... will get back to lighting up the souls of many others.

In 2018 along with my acting class colleagues I co founded Orange Theatre Group, Australia.

Our mission statement was quite simple. Orange Theatre AU was created to provide opportunities for those who have a passion for acting ( or scriptwriting, directing, set designing, costuming, lighting and sound tech )

There weren’t enough roles available for older women ... certainly none that made them front and centre of the action... so I wrote them.

My colleague also penned some original work. More perspectives that aren’t usually explored.

There wasn’t enough theatre opportunities that allowed entry level performers and creatives to experiment and try out their wings. We aim to provided this.

Another colleague created intriguing costumes and props which made our productions pop. Wielding hammers scissors and nails we managed to produce multiple portable sets ... to showcase our performers and our writing.

We created a series of short shows consisting of several one act plays. Each play was comical in tone but was also serious in the way they dealt with the day to day misunderstandings between humans of all ages, and from all walks of life.

Yes it’s lovely when life is going smoothly... but that’s not interesting to watch...so our plays grabbed at and used our most shameful and embarrassing moments and put them out for consideration by the theatre going public of Melbourne. In fact they are open the public from anywhere really as we filmed our shows and put them on YouTube.

We performed to full houses in the centre of Melbourne, Starting Over (2018) and Starting Over .... Again( 2019). Of course 2020 was wiped out for everyone ( that said we did have some online content) and 2021 is proving to be a slippery customer too, that said we have some exciting collaboration opportunities opening up, with eyes on 2022. I hope it’s ok to mention @Lindsay Rae Brown. A collaboration with her is going to result in many split sides and dropped jaws.

I know this isn’t quite the craft you meant at least not directly.. but we cut out props and costumes, using the sharpest scissors.... we crafted the best way to present our stories. We are open to anyone who wants to collaborate with us so we certainly want to spread the opportunities far and wide.

I would love to be able to make things like our beautiful satin dresses and crazy Golden Hat props... but I think I have extra thumbs or something.. I’m probably the only person who was spanked by her sewing teacher, for being totally incompetent with a needle and thread( that was the 1960s, in case you are overly concerned)

I can therefore admire people who are crafty in the conventional sense.. ( like my sister) but because these clever people are so good... I feel I have to stay in my own lane. I couldn’t begin... or could I? Bizarrely I did just purchase a sewing machine ... But truly, my craft is weaving words and actions that will hopefully grab you.

Check out our Facebook page and YouTube. Please feel free to follow, watch and comment.

Stagecraft is still craft. We are open to sharing ideas and providing opportunities for writers as well as actors.

2022 watch this space!