THE Blast Furnace Theatre, a new nonprofit production company started by Portland locals Brett Jeffers and Catherine Lockley, aims to bring Shakespeare to the region.
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The pair, a married couple, bring a wealth of experience with them to our local area having produced, performed and directed a number of Sydney Basin productions over the last 20 years.
Hailing from the Blue Mountains, Brett and Catherine moved to Portland three years ago and are now ready to bring their craft to the community after taking time out to care for their child.
Initially hoping to hold their productions at the Blast Furnace Park itself, safety restrictions have unfortunately stopped them from setting up at the site, and they are now operating out of Eskbank House.
The company hopes to bring an annual “Picnic Shakespeare” production, and children’s pantomime show to the city.
Catherine says her and Brett’s passion for the community means they’ve been dying to bring their craft to the local area for some time.
“Outdoor theatre is so different to a regular production, it comes with its own set of challenges, but also unique opportunities to grab people and keep them entertained.
“We were so taken by the idea of the iconic Blast Furnace, the way it’s such a source of dynamic change for the area.
“It really captured what we were trying to put across as a production company.”
A company is so much more than actors on a stage, however, and Catherine has put the call out for more hands on deck.
Catherine and Brett hope to bring some opportunities to artists in the area, who they know are just waiting to cut their teeth on something like this.
“There is so much untapped potential in this area, whether it be the locations or the people, and we’re so excited to get things under way.”
To top it all off the pair will also be offering acting and stagecraft classes for anyone over the age of seven, allowing anyone interested to train themselves in the art of contemporary, musical, physical theatre and much more.
Term 1 of acting and stagecraft classes will be held on Saturdays at Eskbank House, starting on January 31.
Classes will be segmented in age groups, and further inquiries should be directed to Catherine herself at 0481 269 357.
The pair are also contactable via the Blast Furnace Theatre’s facebook page.