That’s the hope for the Sydney Theatre Company’s (STC) play; In a Heart Beat, created by STC Artists in Residence, playwright Jo Turner and director Susanna Dowling, following consultations with the Armidale community and school groups and through a range of workshops including voice, devising and the Lecoq method of acting throughout 2012.
The play, which premiered on Tuesday night at the TAS Hoskins Centre, follows the story of Jamie, a frustrated teenager with big ideas to leave his school and family all behind at the very first chance he gets. An outsider in his own town, Jamie is suddenly hurtled into a journey beyond his known parameters, with a little help from Jack Kerouac and an assortment of other characters along the way.
Director Susanna Dowling explained how the Sydney Theatre Company’s education department wanted to start working with communities more, creating shows that were based in a community, about a community, utilising the professionalism of a big company like STC.
“Armidale was chosen because it was the perfect first place to start,” said Susanna, “particularly because we wanted this show to be about young people and, with the number of schools here and the high level of drama students, it was a great first place to start and of course Emma Buzo, who works here at TAS, has a great relationship with the Sydney theatre world.
“Lots of drama teachers here really helped us get to meet as many young people as possible.”
The play developed through regular visits to Armidale by both Jo Turner and Susanna Dowling to get a feel for the town through numerous workshops with young people, meeting the mayor and many different people all over town.
“We really wanted to get a flavour for Armidale and then Jo got an idea,” said Susanna.
“From a theme point of view though, we really noticed that young people talked about graduating from school and leaving town. You can’t stay here unless you become a teacher and they are all dying to leave, fed up with seeing the same people all the time.
“But you go out in the big bad world and you miss home and there is that sort of tug between wanting to have an adventure and wanting the comforts of home.”
In a Heart Beat features professional actors Eamon Farren, Georgina Symes and Andrew Tighe, alongside local performers Sam Kreusler, Eleanor Prokop, Emily Roberts, Rheyanon Shields, Jack Tearle and Adam Williams.
“We have worked with lots of young people and, for us, it was about not spoon feeding it to them but the young actors working it out for themselves and showing us what they can do,” said Susanna.
“This was really different for them and, in the first week, it was like, ‘What do you want us to do?’ and we were like, ‘No, you show us’.
“But they have all got there, I think, over the course of the rehearsals.”
Armidale High School drama student Eleanor Prokop has found the experience really fun and challenging and is hopeful of finding a career in theatre.
“It has been hard work but all worth it,” said Eleanor.
“I did a lot of workshops at the beginning of the year and then Susanna asked me to do a reading and then I pretty much jumped into it from there.
“It has been a real step up for me, working with professional actors, although it isn’t much different from what I expected but much harder than what I thought.”
In a Heart Beat opened on Tuesday night and runs until Saturday, October 13 at The Armidale School’s Hoskins Centre, which is proud to be the presenting partner. Voluntary support from Hoskins has included the efforts of Sarah Watson (Production Manager), Luke Polson and Pat Bradley (Sound) and student Anthony Carlon (Lighting).
Tickets: $3 – $10. Book online at: www.trybooking.com/ZXL or phone the TAS Hoskins Centre on 6776 5878.
