25.4 C
Byron Shire
March 29, 2024

Simply the Best… this year at NORPA

Latest News

Blue skies for Bluesfest day 1

If yesterday at Bluesfest was anything to go by, it's going to be an incredible event and with the weather holding, (so far) the Easter weekend's future is looking bright.

Other News

Biz confidence up, says Business NSW

The state's peak body for business says confidence in the sector has increased but cost of living pressures continue to impact customer spending.

Superbowls

Superbowls is your go-to spot for a burst of woodfired flavour! Nestled in Byron Arts and Industry Estate, the...

Where should affordable housing go in Tweed Shire?

Should affordable and social housing in the Tweed Shire be tucked away in a few discreet corners? Perhaps it should be on the block next to where you live?

Iconic Lennox beach shed upgraded –  not demolished

Lennox Park and the shelter shed has now been upgraded and reopened.

Premier yet to respond to Albo’s offer of disaster recovery funds

Northern Rivers community groups are renewing calls for the NSW premier to formally ask the Commonwealth to fully fund the region's 2022 disaster recovery.

Mandy Nolan’s Soapbox: Why Being Seen is Beautiful

There is something profound about being seen. Being accepted and loved for exactly who you are. It’s life changing. It’s simple. It’s transformative. But some people don’t get to experience this. Nearly half of transgender Australians have attempted suicide.That data tells the very real impact of discrimination, stigma and lack of access to gender-affirming surgery. I write this as a woman who was born a woman, who identifies as a woman. I’ll admit, that even in that gender role, that fits within the societal binary, I’ve had my own challenges.

Last Friday night saw the launch of NORPA’s 2015 program at Lismore City Hall. Artistic director Julian Louis gave
us the heads-up on what’s in store.

What is NORPA’s vision when it comes to programming this year?

Increasing access to the performing arts is at the core of NORPA’s artistic program, embracing diversity in the region and engaging the community in relevant and dynamic ways.

Each year NORPA selects the best performing arts around the country with the region’s diverse communities in mind. We balance adventurous, contemporary work with entertaining, accessible productions. We’ve found that people in this area like to be challenged and surprised – they are up for works that are political, contemporary and deal with social issues. This region is famous for that and it’s also why touring companies want to tour here – NORPA audiences are very engaged.

NORPA also creates its own works that aim to tell our stories in adventurous ways. Cockfight and Railway Wonderland are two works in this season that have been created locally. I strongly believe that NORPA works help define contemporary Australian theatre.

Just because we are in a regional area it doesn’t mean we can’t create, and our audiences can’t have access to, some of the best performing arts this country has to offer.

I see that Railway Wonderland has made a return – why have you included this again?

When it premiered in 2012 it sold out two weeks before it opened. We have had ongoing requests for its return. Railway Wonderland is a locally made show that resonates and we are thrilled to be able to put it back on at Lismore train station for three weeks.

It’s not just a theatre show; it’s an event, an experience that people will enjoy whether they are regular theatre-goers or not.

We hope people will travel to come and see it. Like the tracks that used to link our cities and towns, the stories we tell in Railway Wonderland run a line through the history of the northern rivers and many rural communities in Australia.

While the show is not a political statement, it is a great use of an iconic heritage site that means a lot to a lot of people.

Is what we have on offer in a regional setting unique in comparison to regional places of similar demographic numbers?

NORPA’s program is quite renowned nationally for supporting new work, taking risks and having a switched-on and hungry audience who embrace new work.

Another thing that makes us different from most regional performing arts centres is that we are also a theatre company in residence.

NORPA is one of the few remaining regional theatre companies in Australia producing original work. Part of the reason we are able to continue doing this is the support and inspiration of the community in which we live.

How can the community engage with NORPA?

By coming to shows, being a subscriber, bringing friends, coming to the free Q&A sessions afterwards, getting involved in workshops, auditions and attending creative development showings, encouraging your kids’ schools to check out our Theatre for Schools program, giving us your feedback.

Having conversations about theatre and art in the foyer and keeping the cultural dialogue alive.

What benefits do NORPA subscribers get?

NORPA subscribers are all the people who choose to buy season packages of three shows or more.

Every year we find more and more people choosing to do this, which is really encouraging. Some people do it because they get a generous discount; others because they don’t want to miss out on shows and like to get organised; others because they want to support NORPA.

This year we also have some amazing prizes for people who subscribe early including tickets to the Byron Bay Writers Festival, Mullum Music Festival and a Sample Food Festival event.

All shows in NORPA’s 2015 season are now on sale. Visit www.norpa.org.au for all the details.

 


Support The Echo

Keeping the community together and the community voice loud and clear is what The Echo is about. More than ever we need your help to keep this voice alive and thriving in the community.

Like all businesses we are struggling to keep food on the table of all our local and hard working journalists, artists, sales, delivery and drudges who keep the news coming out to you both in the newspaper and online. If you can spare a few dollars a week – or maybe more – we would appreciate all the support you are able to give to keep the voice of independent, local journalism alive.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Retired local professor launches book on grief

A leading international thinker and researcher in the development of innovative sport coaching and physical education teaching has returned home to Byron Bay and is launching his first non-academic book, 'Grief and Growth', on April 4 at The Book Room in Byron. 

Resilient Lismore’s ‘Repair to Return’ funding

On the eve of the second anniversary of the second devastating flood in 2022, Resilient Lismore has welcomed the finalisation of its funding deed with the NSW Reconstruction Authority, which will enable the continuation of its ‘Repair to Return’ program.

Editorial – Joyous propaganda! 

The NSW Labor government marked its one year in office this week with a jubilant statement of achievements issued from Macquarie Street HQ.

Man charged over domestic violence and pursuit offences – Tweed Heads

A man has been charged following a pursuit near Tweed Heads on Monday.