Bendigo Theatre Company is prepared to light its stage up like never before.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The theatre company received a $9145 grant as part of the federal government’s Stronger Communities Programme.
A new lighting and sound board has expanded the possibilities at BTC’s Arts Shed in Golden Square.
BTC president John Murray said the company will be able to teach the next generation of stage hands the finer points of lighting design.
“The big advantage is we now have the facility not just to teach young people how to use the lighting decks but actually move them into lighting design which is really exciting,” he said.
“Lighting is one of the forgotten arts of theatre, many shows can live or die on lighting. It's an art in itself.
“A number of people around are interested and now we have the facility to further their skills.”
The new equipment was used for the first time as part of BTC’s summer pantomime Aladdin.
Mr Murray said the equipment would lift design restrictions on the types of shows possible at the Arts Shed.
“It makes the shed a much more flexible space and as a consequence we are able to expand the types of shows we can do,” he said.
Member for Bendigo Lisa Chesters was in the audience at the Aladdin and able to see equipment in action.
“The Arts Shed has always been a fantastic space for locals to get hands on experience in all facets of community theatre,” she said.
“This new equipment opens up even more opportunity for anyone interested in getting involved with theatre production.
“I am really excited to learn that it was two young people, Ian and Eddie, who were able to get hands on training with this equipment to create the lighting and sound for the BTC’s production of Aladdin.”
The Bendigo Theatre Company was one of ten Central Victorian organisations who have received a total of $150,000 through the Stronger Communities Programme to be put towards $2,836,764 worth of community based projects.