Castlemaine-based company Black Apple Theatre are excited to launch their latest show ‘Thrive: Queer voices, out loud’ at the Castlemaine Goods Shed tonight!
The theatre company has been busy gathering true stories from the LGBTQIA+ community in Central Victoria, and have shaped them into the play, which will premiere in Castlemaine this weekend, November 25 and 26.
Director Cheyney Caddy (she/they) said they’ve been working on Thrive for two years now.
“It’s been such a labour of love and I couldn’t be more excited to share this work with audiences,” Cheyney said.
“I think when you become a theatre-maker everyone starts with the idea that they want to change the world for the better, and then as you gain experience you learn how rare an opportunity that actually is; once in a lifetime, if you’re lucky. Thrive is my once in a lifetime. I know this work is going to make a difference,” Cheyney said.
Thrive interweaves the real-life journeys of five LGBTQIA+ Victorians, three over 65+ and two 25 year olds, into a powerful piece of theatre that explores the way the generations are connected by love, humour, resilience and a fierce determination to create a more equitable future for their community.
Described by its makers as a work made ‘for community, by community,’ all of the artists and performers working on Thrive identify as part of the LGBTQIA+ community, which gives them a unique connection into the stories they are telling.
Discussion panels with the cast and creative team will be run after each performance.
The Castlemaine premiere of Thrive was made possible by funding from the Department of Premier and Cabinet Pride Events and Festivals Fund and the Australian Government’s Regional Arts Fund.
Following on from the local performances ‘Thrive: Queer voices, out loud’ will also feature at the 2023 Midsumma Festival in Melbourne from January 24-28. For tickets visit www.blackappletheatre.com