A theatre and mentoring program for children will be hosted in the Bundaberg Region to teach young thespians about the thrill of performing while building up their confidence.
Hosted by Cilla Pershouse of Blue Gum Farm TV fame, The Moo Crew production and workshops will take place in Gin Gin and throughout Bundaberg schools from next week.
To help bring the travelling program to the area, Bundaberg Regional Council has awarded $6800 to The Moo Crew from the Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF).
Cilla said she was thrilled to be hosting her project in the local region after experiencing success in previous years.
“We have delivered a similar program in the Bundaberg Region last year and due to overwhelming demand, we made it a priority to return with a new program this year,” she said.
“Tailored especially for children in regional and remote areas The Moo Crew celebrates the everyday lives of Australia’s ‘bush kids’ and champions the work of their farming families.
“Presented by an outstanding cast of educational entertainers, The Moo Crew incorporates song, dance, and storytelling to take the audience on an imaginative and interactive journey of rural Australia.”
Cilla said the program also offered local children special theatre master classes, exploring theatre arts in a workshop environment.
“Classes are held prior to The Moo Crew show time and mentored by the cast from the show,” she said.
“It's a wonderful opportunity for regional children to experience the thrill of performance while gaining new skills and building confidence!”
Theatre program funding brings Moo Crew to region
A fourth generation grazier, Cilla was born and raised on a property outside of Gayndah in South East Queensland.
Home educated alongside her three siblings she was a total bush kid and spent many hours of her childhood working alongside her family on the property.
At age 19 Cilla left the family farm to pursue an education (and later career) as a professional singer and actor.
An industry which took her away from her rural roots, Cilla realized very quickly that the life she knew in the bush was a world away from the city.
She earned a Bachelor of Music Theatre before going on to complete a Post Graduate Certificate in Voice from the Queensland Conservatorium of Music.
After several successful years as a professional singer in live theatre and television across Australia, Cilla couldn’t shake her country girl ways and so returned to her family property in 2014.
Since then Cilla has dedicated herself to developing an educational entertainment program called Blue Gum Farm TV that uses music, song and storytelling to promote the value of rural industries and communities to children across Australia.
The theatre program funding was provided by the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland.
The Regional Arts Development Fund is a partnership between the Queensland Government and the Bundaberg Regional Council to support local arts and culture in regional Queensland.
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