By Michael Sinclair
NESTLED in a small church hall in St Albans, a group of budding actors are living out their dreams.
It may be on stage or behind the curtain, but no matter what the involvement the Resurrection Amateur Theatrical Society (affectionately known as RATS) is a great outlet for people across the West.
After more than a decade, St Albans mother, and assistant director, Jodie Drago still lives and breathes everything to do with RATS.
“It was an outlet for me and it is for a lot of people,” she told Star last week.
“It’s a group where you can come and express yourself and not be afraid to be who you are.
“We’re all there to do something together – it becomes a family and a lot of people that tend to be a bit isolated in themselves and their school groups or in their work atmosphere come to something like RATS to share their creative abilities.”
Formed 15 years ago by a group of church-goers looking to express their artistic side, RATS has become one of the western suburbs’ most loved theatre groups, attracting strong audiences to its annual productions.
Ms Drago said it brought together people from different religions and cultures to work together to achieve a goal.
This year’s production of the Disney classic Beauty And The Beast will be one of the country’s first amateur adaptations of the script and score.
“Being our 15th anniversary we want to make it a big production and we want it to be a big celebration,” Ms Drago said.
RATS is also looking for new talent throughout the West, and will soon hold auditions for this year’s show, which will open on 9 September.
“The auditions are open to anyone who wants to take part, but we are really looking for a strong adult component to lead this year’s cast,” Ms Drago said.
Auditions will be held on 25 and 26 March and 1 and 2 April in St Albans and are strictly by appointment only.
For more information, contact Jodie on 0402 057 905.
