One of Shakespeare's most love plays will come to life at the Central Deborah Gold Mine in April.
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The production will be presented by Uncertain Curtain - a neuro-diverse theatre company that encourages people with neuro-diverse disorder such as ADHD, autism-spectrum disorders, bipolar, sensory process disorder, depression and panic disorders to take up theatre.
Production manager Sarah-Jane Fawcett said after 2020 forced the company to take a break, they wanted to come back with something different.
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"Because we aren't like other theatre companies, as soon as COVID hit, with most of us having neuro-diverse disorders, we welcomed the break," she said. "Some other companies who are very established and doing two or three shows a year suffered but it didn't affect us.
"As soon as we realised we could get together and do things again, we decided to get the production of Midsummer back up and running."
The production is an abridged version of the Shakespeare play, which reduces the stress on neuro-diverse cast members.
"It is just under an hour long," Ms Fawcett said. "We didn't want throw them in the deep end with Shakespeare. We just wanted to have fun, that's our big thing first and foremost."
Uncertain Curtain's A Midsummer Night's Dream will feature 20 performers - the largest cast in the company's short history.
"It's the largest cast we have had so far with a lot of different neuro-diverse conditions," Ms Fawcett said. "Not only people on the Autism spectrum, we also have a members with Tourette's and some mental health conditions such as bipolar and OCD.
"I was astounded by the response this time around when called auditions. I was so chuffed when we saw all these new people.
"We do have neurotypical members who aren't on spectrum and we all learn from each other."
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To help fund their production the cast and crew set up a GoFundMe account. They quickly reached their target of $2000 and are now aiming for $3000.
"The funds mainly go toward initial expenses such as costumes, props and hiring the space," Ms Fawcett said. "We looked at the idea of performing outside because of COVID-19 and I looked at the outside space at Central Deborah Gold Mine where I work.
"Because we reached our GoFundMe goal so early, we are now able to see if we can get more funds to afford an Auslan interpreter."
Uncertain Curtain's production of A Midsummer Night's Dream is on April 23 and 24 and May 1 and 2 at the Central Deborah Gold Mine.
To donate to the company's GoFundMe account, click here.
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