FOR the first time, Outback Theatre for Young People is stepping across the Murray to bring a new program to the Swan Hill region.
Gifts of Translation is a cultural program that was launched earlier this year at Harmony Day with a mixture of dance and cultural exchange.
The successful event was just the beginning, and the first stages are underway for a theatre show with members of the African and broader communities.
Young people aged 12 to 16 will have the opportunity to take part in a series of workshops and classes, developing their skills in different areas of the performing arts.
Drama, dance, character development and much more will be explored.
The workshops will culminate in a final performance in early spring.
Theatre-making techniques, acting experience, story construction and the diverse methods by which theatre can be produced will all be investigated in weekly drama workshops.
Gifts of Translation artistic director Richie Hallal said the project aimed to develop cohesion with the community of African migrants in Swan Hill.
“It about giving that space for the young people of African community to explore their ideas and imagination,” Mr Hallal said.
Mr Hallal said that while the young people of Swan Hill were “spoiled” when it came to access to performing arts experience, there was always more that could be done to broaden the scope of opportunities offered.
“I don’t think there’s enough places for young people to collaborate on an artistic project,” he said.
“There can always be more.”
By involving the African community, Mr Hallal said Gifts of Translation would be more than simply a theatre program.
The program was inspired by the success of the Marruk Project, which worked with Indigenous young people in theatre workshops, before engaging with the local African community.
“The [final show] will be an exploration of the dynamic of the African community and the broader community,” Mr Hallal said.
“It will be a celebration of our cultural differences and similarities, and a celebration of the dynamic between the diverse communities of Swan Hill.”
More details about Gifts of Translation are to come, with Mr Hallal saying drama workshops were just the first element to be explored.
Outback Theatre for Young People works across regional communities in NSW and Victoria, engaging with remote communities to create contemporary theatre. Gifts of Translation is a free program open to all young people aged 12 to 16.
To find out more about drama workshops as part of Gifts of Translation, contact Richie Hallal on 0414 881 340.
