Touring theatre show to explore themes of poverty and family solidarity with Esperance students
Hoods, a gritty suburban tale written by Angela Betzien, will be performed at Esperance Civic Centre on June 25 as part of a regional WA tour.
The production is recommended for secondary students in Years 9 to 12.
It forms part of a two-year partnership between Barking Gecko Arts and Horizon Power to bring theatre productions and creative learning programs to regional students through the Powering Imaginations initiative.
Barking Gecko Arts chief executive Ryan Taaffe said the program would build students' wellbeing through engagement with the arts.
'When children experience live theatre, it fosters creativity and empathy, improves emotional intelligence, and brings bucketloads of joy,' he said.
'Thanks to Horizon Power's support, we can bring these transformative experiences directly to regional communities.'
The $100,000 partnership from Horizon Power was delivered on behalf of the State Government and will also reach Exmouth and Karratha.
Horizon Power chief executive Stephanie Unwin said the energy provider was pleased to support an initiative which would foster regional students' creativity.
'It's fantastic that Barking Gecko can continue to expand their program across regional WA so that more students have the chance to experience the excitement of their live theatre shows,' she said.
'We are proud to support this initiative and work together to bring the arts to an ever-increasing audience across the regions.'
It comes after the latest round of Horizon's Community Partnerships Program which awarded $50,000 across 12 initiatives in the Goldfields-Esperance region.
Beneficiaries include Cycling Development Foundation's Laverton Cycling Project, Esperance's Mother's Day Classic, and Mudjar Aboriginal Corporation's Reconciliation Day event, and a fire pit and furniture for the Wingellina (Irrunytju) Community, among others.
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