Their performance may be a few months away, but things are heating up for Griffith and Regional Association of the Performing Arts (GRAPA).
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After ten years of sticking to the script, directors Stella Dougherty and Bonnie Owen are keen to shake up a play which has stood the test of time.
Old members like Bernie Maxwell and newer faces such as David Baxter are excited to have GRAPA pull together for the new interpretation of the ‘most performed’ Shakespearean play Twelfth Night.
And time is set to make the difference, with the dramaturge John Bolger setting the play in the roaring 20s.
Ms Dougherty believes the future of the group is looking bright, with young faces and fresh enthusiasm filling the ranks.
Check out a small snippet of their rehearsals in the video below:
“We are so lucky to have experienced actors here like Bernie, who bring the years of talents which has just projected us to some amazing places,” Ms Dougherty said.
“And now we are seeing the next generation of young actors and performers come through, and it means our future is looking very bright indeed.”
She has seen a lot of productions in her time, and says this particular production is set to be one of a very high standard.
And members attribute this high standard to the enthusiasm, passion and supportiveness of those in the team. Bernie Maxwell, who has been in GRAPA since its inception, says the comradery helps him live and breath drama.
“I’ve always been a lover of drama, right from childhood,” Mr Maxwell said.
“Its a sense of community, incredible fun and the ability to express yourself. To go and perform in amazing places, like the Adelaide fringe festival which was one of the highlights for me. We performed an original play called Galah.
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“It’s just the ability to be a part of something bigger than yourself is incredible fun, and with the young people coming along now, they have this energy that is just going to take it forward, and I love to see that.”
While the sense of community is what has kept Mr Maxwell around, it is also what has quickly made GRAPA a part of Mr Baxter’s life.
"I wanted to work on my own confidence int he public space. I wanted to challenge myself, and so far I am enjoying it more than I expected to, and can see myself being a part of this for a long time,” Mr Baxter said.
He says their version of Twelfth Night was a nice ‘refreshingly new’ change.
“We have a good group where everyone supports each other and it has made the whole thing easier.”