VISITING EVENTS
Preparing for the Future:
Drill Hall Theatre Thanks NSW Government for Flood Mitigation Support
As we gear up for another flood season, the Drill Hall Theatre would like to express our gratitude to the NSW Government for their continued support in enhancing our infrastructure and helping us become flood-ready. In 2023, we received a grant from the CLIRP Arts and Culture Priority Needs Program, which funded a Flood Mitigation Feasibility Study. This invaluable support has provided us with the insights and resources needed to better prepare for potential flooding events. We thank the NSW Government for their commitment to our community’s resilience.
Four Projects, Endless Creativity:
Thanks to the Regional Arts Fund!
The Drill Hall Theatre Company is thrilled to share the exciting results of four projects made possible by the Regional Arts Fund. Hot Mess for Kids, A Midsummer Night’s Queen, The Chronicles of Eldershaw, and Displace I Call Home showcase a diverse range of artistic styles, pushing creative boundaries and offering audiences innovative theatrical experiences. From immersive life drawing to a reimagined Shakespearean musical, these productions reflect the exceptional talent and bold vision of our local artists. Discover more about these groundbreaking productions and their upcoming performances.
Hot Mess for Kids
This innovative project, spearheaded by Sophie May and Gabrielle Miller, saw the creation of a captivating children’s version of an immersive life-drawing show.
July 2024 saw the development of a flower costume, shadow puppets, and a dynamic moving shadow screen. Mentorship from Valley Lipcer of Roundabout Theatre provided invaluable guidance, shaping the final product. The design and development phases are complete, with a planned launch later in 2025.
A Midsummer Nights Queen
A brand-new musical—a vibrant reimagining of Shakespeare through an LGBTIQ lens—emerged from October 2024. Michael Sharmon masterfully crafted the script and music, with production support from Jake Dix, bringing together a talented cast and crew. Preview performances at the Lismore Showgrounds Tropical Fruits New Year’s Eve featuring Sharmon, Rees Laird, and Tia Nelson generated rave reviews.
The full production will have its much-anticipated premiere at the Drill Hall Theatre in November 2025. Partnerships with Tropical Fruits and ACON significantly amplified promotional efforts.
The Chronicles of Eldershaw
This ambitious project transformed Stephen Edgar’s narrative verse novel into a compelling theatrical experience. Beginning with creative development and sharing in March 2024, audience feedback was incorporated to refine the script, resulting in a highly successful nine-performance run in October 2024.
Gregory Aitken’s adaptation, along with Kate Horsley’s directing expertise, were key to this success. John Rayment’s input to Sunita Bailey’s lighting design, combined with the captivating live music of Avia Sebasio-Ong, Yasir Assam, and Hielrick Fidele d’Armour, created a multi-media spectacle, enhanced by the incorporation of family photos and video. Future productions are already in the works.
Displace I Call Home
This unique and deeply moving play, developed at the Drill Hall in July 2024 and set to premiere at the Byron Theatre in mid-2025, explores themes of belonging, displacement, and mortality through the story of Jacqui, a botanist confronting a terminal illness. Bianca Sirianni’s powerful script, brought to life by the talents of Sally Davis, Noa Rotem, and Igor Kreyman, utilises physical theatre, projection mapping, and an immersive soundscape to create an unforgettable experience.
By showcasing regional talent and providing training opportunities for emerging artists, Displace I Call Home embodies the ethos of “a home for the arts, a home for everyone”, aiming to foster lasting cultural and social change within the Northern Rivers community and beyond.
DRILL HALL THEATRE PARTNERS
The Drill Hall Theatre would like to thank all the organisations and businesses who support us in our mission to bring theatre experiences and performing arts education to our region.
We rely on Government funding, sponsorship, philanthropy and the support of our members and volunteers to run our venue. We truly could not do it without our sponsors and project partners, so thank you to all who have been part of our work.
As a heritage venue, the Drill Hall has needed major renovations and we would like to thank our government partners for their ongoing support to upgrade our stage and backstage amenities.
If you would like to join this amazing network of partners or volunteers please get in touch with us.
UPCOMING AUDITIONS
Displace I Call Home
Role – Cliff/Harry – Male around the age of 30.
The actor plays 2 roles, father in Act I and son in Act II.
Cliff – Father is in late 40’s, has English accent, very charming. He will dance a tango with the Doctor and Jacqui.
Harry – Son is mid 20’s, and is on a journey of healing as he comes to terms with his mother’s death.
For more info and the script please visit here for more info.
Interested? Contact director Bianca Sirianni at [email protected] with a photo and short bio.
BECOME A MEMBER
Become an associate member of the Drill Hall Theatre and receive special discounts to our shows. Click the link to become a member now!
