A CAMPFIRE STORY COMES TO A CLOSE
JUNE 2022
"With creepy but brilliant directing, creative writing, and gut-wrenchingly powerful performances, the entire show is constantly engaging, bringing laughs and tears to the audience." - Australian Theatre for Young People
The embers of the campfire have died down, the marshmallows have been eaten, and our second production has ended. And what a production it was.
We had over 150 people brave the cold and dark to see our site-specific work, and the story of the dysfunctional MacKilgray family was received with rapt attention and rave reviews.
A HUGE thanks to our our Sydney audience for attending our show and supporting us in our first foray out of our home base in Brisbane.
Check out our photo album below, and stay tuned for our next production announcement!
AUDITION NOTICE: A CAMPFIRE STORY
JANUARY 2022
A CAMPFIRE STORY
By Joel Burrows and Disapol Savetsila
Directed by Rowan Bate
Presented by Arbour Theatre Company
Arbour Theatre Company is seeking a male actor, playing age mid-twenties, for the role of TELLER/SAM in their 2022 season of A Campfire Story, a new Australian work written by Joel Burrows and Disapol Savetsila, and directed by Rowan Bate.
About the show: One part Australian Gothic, one part family drama, with a twist of the supernatural, you are invited to join the circle around the fire and hear a story about what haunts the MacKilgray family. Immersive and site-specific, this new work is a modern take on oral story-telling traditions. Inspired by the camp legends, ghost stories, and family histories that we all heard growing up, A Campfire Story asks how we can come back from the brink after having lost everything.
About the role: Sam (mid-twenties) has returned to his hometown for his father’s funeral. He swapped the country for the city to become a standup - a goal that he’s still working on achieving - and has been lying to his family about having a successful career. Sam is a loving son and brother, but the guilt he feels about leaving the family farm makes spending time at home a struggle. Deep down, he harbours an irrational belief that he is responsible for his father’s death.
Teller is a magical presence in the story, acting as a conduit between the audience and the world of the play - we are in their domain. Their outwardly normal appearance masks a supernatural power: they can allow someone to relive a memory and possibly, it is hinted, change the outcome. As the story unfolds, we begin to question whether what we’re witnessing is Teller’s magic in action. Charming, confident and self-assured, it’s hard to know if Teller acts out of benevolence or if their motivations are more sinister.
Rehearsal information: Rehearsals will be held at Shopfront Arts Co-op, Carlton, on most weekends from 19 February to 3 April 2022. Rehearsal dates are firm but there is some flexibility. For exact dates or a rehearsal schedule contact us at arbourtheatrecompany@gmail.com.
Season information: A Campfire Story is a site-specific work and will be presented at Manly Warringah War Memorial State Park (Manly Dam). It will be an open-air performance. The season will run from 22 April to 14 May 2022 with performances on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, 6:30 - 9:30 PM.
Fee information: The production will operate under a profit-share arrangement.
Audition information: Auditions will be held at Shopfront Arts Co-op, 88 Carlton Parade, Carlton NSW 2218 on Monday 24 January 2022, 3 - 7 PM. Callbacks will be held on Thursday 27 January, 2022.
What to prepare: Actor’s choice of two contrasting monologues, 1-2 minutes each.
To apply: Email your CV and headshot to arbourtheatrecompany@gmail.com with the subject line: “A Campfire Story Auditions”
A BED OF ROSES ROARING SUCCESS
MAY 2021
"On its opening night A Bed of Roses was an absolute hit and I can’t wait to see where Arbour Theatre Company takes it from here."
- Nothing Ever Happens in Brisbane
"Arbour Theatre Company really perfected the vibe of the house party, and the immersive experience began from the moment I arrived [...] I was taken right back to my early twenties - wander in, clutch your drink, look for someone you know, nod and smile at strangers."
We had over 200 people attend our interactive house party at House Conspiracy this May! Over 60% of attendees were aged 35 years and under, and we at Arbour Theatre Company feel so privileged to have been able to share with you all what it really felt like for young people to cope with living in share-houses during COVID 19 lockdown in 2020 and 2021, in Brisbane, throughout Australia, and all over the world!
THANK YOU party guests for attending our show, connecting with our housemates, and for supporting us in this, Arbour Theatre Company's premier show.
Check out our photo album of the show below and stay tuned for our next production... coming soon!
"An immersive, emotionally-charged, comedic show with no stage, no fourth wall, and a sort of ‘choose your own adventure’ experience to be had."
"If you’ve lived in a share house, you will see at least one of your housemates (or maybe yourself) in A Bed of Roses."
A BED OF ROSES PREMIERES AT ANYWHERE FESTIVAL
APRIL 2021
We are stoked to announce the World Premiere of Arbour Theatre Company's first production, A Bed of Roses, set to take the stage at Anywhere Festival this May 12-16.
An immersive, site-specific performance based upon the diverse experiences of local young Australians during Covid-19 lockdown, A Bed of Roses asks if we can learn to live with people we can’t stand, and if so, how?
We can't wait to see you at our party 💃
OUR STORY
NOVEMBER 2020
It is with great excitement that we announce our new company, Arbour Theatre Company! Bursting onto the Brisbane scene in late 2020, Arbour is fronted by Co-Directors Ruby Conolan Barrett and Disapol Savetsila. Arbour Theatre Company creates vibrant, meaningful moments for the stage with young people and adults alike, devising productions that speak to what it feels like to be in Meanjin land, here and now.
We can't wait to show you what we have in store for 2021.