What’s this? What’s going on? Where am I?...

This is a report, you say? About the Corack Performing Arts Project’s first ever play, “Staged!”? And now no one can leave until the report has been read? Well, if it’s a report on a play, then let’s have some fun with it and put on a show!

Crowds flocked to the Corack Public Hall on Sunday, August 11, and Saturday, August 17, eagerly awaiting the culmination of months and months of hard work from the dedicated performers – not to mention seeing the fruit of all Quill’s efforts as both writer and first-time director. With over half of the group’s current twelve members still primary school age, it was certainly an effort indeed!

But it was an effort well worth it, as the crowds on both shows can certainly attest to.

Though the group started five years ago and has hosted a number of entertaining evenings at the Corack Hall during that time, it had yet to perform a play – and thus “Staged!” was born!

From a brainstorming session, to a story, to a script and then rehearsals – the play was written specifically for the group and the tiny stage at the Corack Hall, and although the running time was quite short for the benefit of its younger performers, the story certainly didn’t let that stop it from leaving its mark, being absolutely packed with heartfelt messages for the audience to take away.

Told through the lens of four women from very different walks of life, audience members got their first glimpses of their protagonists as they lay strewn about the stage, unconscious. As such, when the protagonists awakened, the audience was just as confused as they were, as to “how we got here, why are we here, when is it, and where ‘here’ even is”? Completely disoriented and terrified, these four women had to navigate their way to freedom, after a (quite literally) shocking discovery that an electrified barrier was preventing their escape from the stage.

Sahara Desmond, executive PR manager (played by Samantha Clark), Mara Wright, librarian (played by Melinda McEwen), Molly Burke, kinder teacher (played by Jodie Drake), and Dr Sunny McMillan, psychiatrist (played by Sonja McLoughlan) all responded to their captive situation in different ways – one with action, one with thought, one with acceptance, and the other… well, “Denial” would be putting it kindly.

Captors
In addition to being “Staged!” these four women found their escape progress seemingly hounded by their captors – except, said captors were children. Creepy children, considering the hostage situation they seemed to have instigated, but children nonetheless. 

As the women struggled to uncover the truth of their plight throughout the course of the performance, the Children of the Corack Hall – ably performed by Arleea Sarre, Erin Clark, Isabelle Sandy, Kendra Clark, Makayla Sandy, and Jack Pearse – offered sporadically spine-chilling hints to their prisoners in chanted discordant overlay. As to whether it helped, well – the ominous clues simply ended up frightening the women right down to their socks initially, and sent the shrink into a fit of hysteria. 

Comedy and Thrill
Dancing between comedy and thrill, on the knife’s edge between all genres, the audience was mesmerised as, slowly, each of the captive characters figured out how to free themselves from the electrified stage…. 

Or, nearly everyone. The third act of the play saw Sahara left behind, alone, unable to figure it out, until one of the Children (Erin Clark) dared to come forth from behind the curtain and offer an insightful solution: “If you can’t change your situation, change your attitude towards it!”

Sahara had showed a particularly choleric response to her “situation”, and without having kids of her own, found it difficult to connect with the children strangely holding her against her will. She had to look inside herself for answers, remembering and addressing past traumas, before she could begin to understand and embrace the children who were keeping her “captive”. It was thus, in a fun finale, that Sahara remembered what she had been like in her own childhood. Dancing with the children on the stage, she simply accepted the bizarre situation and connected with her own inner child, freeing herself from her imprisonment.

And, of course, just when everyone thought they were free after the performers had taken a bow, the audience was told to join the show – “Or they could never GO”! So, whether out of merriment or fearing the wrath of the Children of the Corack Hall, all those in attendance were swiftly swept up in the dancing and celebrations.

Debut Performance
This was the debut performance for two new members of the performing arts group: Sonja McLoughlan, showing supreme bravery in tackling the role of the “crazy lady”; and young Jack Pearse, who demonstrated a natural ability for his age. What with talent like this still appearing within our community, this group has a very bright future ahead of it, indeed.

The Corack Performing Arts Project extends its thanks to sponsors, who assisted in making the shows a success: Donald Family Butcher, Donald Bakery, “The Buloke Times”, Sign ‘R’ Us and the numerous other businesses that assisted with advertising. Many thanks to Chris Clark and Keith Brusnahan for taking on the tech roles, lighting up the hall and providing the sound, and to the many volunteers who came to help in the kitchen and front of house, with particular thanks to David Hosking for cooking the barbecue on Sunday. Also to the group members who made donations for the event and throughout the year, and to the parents of the younger performers for their support through all of the extra rehearsals.

The group would also like to show its appreciation to the two wonderful audiences (some of whom travelled from as far as Queensland to attend), who were engaged, involved and so supportive to the performers and gave generously to the Corack Public Hall, raising close to $1,500 over the two showings.

And if it wasn’t for the ongoing support of the Corack Hall itself, none of this would be achievable at all – the group continues to blossom in this creative space and is committed to providing more entertainment to the community. Not only do the proceeds of every show go towards fundraising for the Hall, but a much-loved community asset is now in regular use, preserving its history and making sure its story keeps on being written for the next generations. 

Collaboration
After five years, the collaboration between the Corack Hall and the Performing Arts Project continues to be a positive force in the community and a chance for kids and adults to be locally involved in creative arts.

“Staged!” was a labour of love and joy, written by and for the performers themselves. And though the Project’s next performance might not be a play, members will undoubtedly throw themselves into it, regardless, with the same heart and soul as always. 

So as the curtain closes on this report (wait, what happens to me when it ends?), let me extend an open invitation to any and all who wish to keep playing (wait, hold on ): come join the Corack Performing Arts Project! We meet Mondays.

End scene, exit left.