PHOTO: The CATS cast in their 2019 production of Robin Hood: Men in Tights
The excitement is building as the Coonamble Amateur Theatrical Society (CATS) manoeuvres towards making a return to the stage in 2024.
The last production was the sold-out sensation Robin Hood: Men in Tights in the pre-COVID era of late July and early August 2019.
Now, the remaining CATS committee have made the call after meeting with Outback Arts, the new owners of their favoured venue the Plaza Theatre.
“We are pushing ahead for this year,” said James Nalder. “A play will go ahead and hopefully it can help out as a fundraiser for the Plaza.
“We’re going to be doing a call-out for actors and anyone interested in helping.
“Our first meeting will be on Wednesday 27 March at the Plaza from 5:15pm.”
While James and fellow thespians Cindy Parsons, Andrew Fisher and Josh Borowski have put their heads together to get the ball rolling, all roles are open – be it onstage, backstage or front-of-house – and the play to be performed is yet to be finalised.
“We have a couple of plays up our sleeve,” Mr Nalder told the Coonamble Times. “It just depends how many people we get.
“We try to fit in as many as want to be involved, whether they’re lead roles, part of a chorus or even playing a tree.
“We need a lot of people to help out.”
While the first meeting will be held next week, Mr Nalder says the committee are giving themselves a fair bit of breathing space.
“We’re a bit rusty because it’s been five years since our last production,” he said.
“We’ve had some of our long-term performers stepping back so they can watch from the audience so the committee will be having a bit of a renewal.
“We don’t want to put too much pressure on ourselves so we’re giving ourselves a bit more time.”
He says the CATS performance are likely to run in September some time.
“People are always a bit busy but we’re pretty motivated to get it going.
“I think there’s a lot of hidden talent out in the community and we always find people, some of them even surprise themselves.
“It’s always great to get a mix of old hands and new talent.
“The energy is building every time we talk to someone about it,” he said.
So whether you’re interested in a speaking, singing or dancing part, or want to get hands-on in scenery, props, wardrobe, hair and make-up, there’s a part in the local play for you.
“If anyone can’t make it but want to be part of it, give me a call and we’ll put your name on the list,” he said.
“It’s a community play so we’re looking for people of all ages and backgrounds – it’s just a fun thing to be part of.”