Backstage spotlight for theatre funding

AN upgraded Bendigo Theatre Company is ready and raring to take to the stage.

The community theatre group received a $17,000 Federal Government grant which president Bevan Madden said has been put towards improving backstage areas at the Golden Square site.

“We try, where possible, to use our box office revenue for the onstage stuff so that when the audience support the company, they can see improvement next year,’ he said.

“All of these grants allow us to improve backstage so that we’re being safe, efficient and environmentally conscious.”

Racking and storage was improved behind the scenes to house past props like a giant Freddie Mercury statue featured in BTC’s We Will Rock You show, and a witch hat used throughout their production of Wicked.

The money was also used to purchase a piano, two production laptops and whitegoods including two fridges, a washing machine and a dryer which Mr Madden said were welcomed warmly by costume designers.

“They’re chomping at the bit to be able to get the whole process done in here, rather than using their own whitegoods at home,” he said.

“And being able to store more food for the patrons, it’s not something that they will notice but it’s something that we notice in the back end. We’re able to keep things over time and supply them for longer.

“We’ve had a really tough past two years and to be able to launch back into creating theatre with the support of this grant has been phenomenal.

“We’ve got auditions, information nights and rehearsals starting up for our big shows soon. It’s very much back into top gear.”