As part of the Aurora Community Enrichment Program, the Tasmanian Theatre Company runs a series of programs for young people and communities in Tasmania. Central to this program is the Second Echo Ensemble, the state’s only integrated youth performance ensemble of young people with and without disabilities. The Tasmanian Theatre Company and Cosmos Recreation Services, have jointly managed the ensemble and sourced funding and expertise in the areas of producing, directing, technical support and marketing.
Initiated by acclaimed writer and director Finegan Kruckemeyer and established through a partnership with Cosmos Recreation Services, the Second Echo Ensemble has produced and presented four performance works to date and holds two festival credits for performances at the Awakenings Festival in Victoria 2007, the Amalgamation Arts Festival 2006 in Hobart and a tour of Tasmania in 2009. The work is dance-based gestural movement and sound based on a script by Kruckemeyer, who is rapidly becoming one of Australia’s leading theatre writers for young people. Fin’s plays are in production this year in New Zealand, London, Dublin, Ohio, Shanghai, Sydney Opera House and throughout Australia including TTC’s schools tour for 2011.
The Company I Keep was produced in May 2010 and was the Ensemble’s fifth piece. The work took the audience on a 45 minute journey through the sensations and emotions that we share when we dress for a first date, prepare for a party, argue with parents or simply share a quiet moment with someone we care for. A heartfelt and enriching journey celebrating relationships as they begin, develop and keep. This is dance and gesture and voice, but above all it is humanity in all its richness. It’s the company we keep.
The Tasmanian Theatre Company and Cosmos Inc plan to tour this work to New Zealand in September 2012 and we are very keen to hear from anyone who might be interested in supporting this venture. If you think you may be able to help in some way please contact Iain Lang on 6234 8561 or Anne McKinstray on 6228 6394.
