General News
23 February, 2025
Local performing arts outlet for all
Access to the performing arts is not always easy for those living in rural towns, with many people needing to travel to Horsham and beyond to participate in theatre, dance and singing classes and productions.
Now Hopetoun local Dee Williams has taken it upon herself to start a theatre group for locals in surrounding towns.
"There's nothing out here," Ms Williams said.
"No schools offer dance and theatre as a subject.
"Kids and parents need an outlet."
Ms Williams' daughter Mackenzie, 14, wants to pursue a career in the performing arts, but accessing the right training means she would have to travel more than 100km.
Mackenzie has been a dancer in the Victorian State Schools Spectacular with her school group since 2019, and this year she was a principal First Nations performer.
"She loves to dance and sing," Ms Williams said.
"I had spoken to her about starting our own choir or theatre group and straight away she said yes."
Now they are trying to spark community interest to join them on their new venture, called Hopetoun Theatre Group.
"We're trying to get as many people interested as possible," Ms Williams said.
"Everyone is welcome."
She said they were hoping to operate out of the Hopetoun Town Hall in the next few months.
"We'll just be having meetings at this stage to see what we are capable of doing," Ms Williams said.
Ms Williams said there were lots of jobs to fill, aside from dancers, singers and musicians.
"There's so much involved like costumes and lighting," she said.
Other jobs include stage managers, makeup and hair, seamstresses and set constructors.
"We will have jobs to suit people's likes, abilities and interests," Ms Williams said.
"We'll see where we can take it and show all the towns around that we have talented people."
Anyone interested in joining the Hopetoun Theatre Group should contact Ms Williams at hopetountheatre@gmail.com