Gunnedah Conservatorium is gearing up a new cabaret show inspired by the COVID-19 crisis.
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The production will feature youth and adults acting out the sorts of situations locals have encountered during the pandemic.
The Con is running a series of workshops to prepare for the "musical ensemble variety show", which is being written collaboratively and is under the working title of "COVID - We're Over It".
"The show is being developed in a world of COVID-devised Zoom living ... [and] all the antics that happen," the show's assistant director Larni Christie said.
"We're all writing it. Someone will have an idea and say, 'What about this?' and we discuss it."
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The show and the workshops are funded by the Con and $10,000 from the federal government's Drought Communities Program.
The five workshops are being headed up by Sydney director Kate Gaul and production designer Jasmine Christie who are sharing their expertise with Con staff and the local actors.
"We would never normally have been able to get these sorts of people to come [but] theatre in Sydney is off," Ms Christie said.
She said it would be very expensive for the Con to go to Sydney to tap into their valuable skill sets, but the drought funding had enabled the professionals to come to them.
"It's professional development for all of us," Ms Christie said.
The show is being developed in a world of COVID-devised Zoom living.
- Larni Christie, assistant director
The cabaret cast is about 20 so far and a number of youth are involved. There are also some returning local stars, including Alison Stuart who is also involved in Tamworth Musical Society's production of Mamma Mia in 2021.
Rehearsals must adhere to COVID-safe rules, so locals are practising in small groups, and the show cannot contain "big singing numbers".
The Con is aiming for November 27 and 28 in the Gunnedah Town Hall, or possibly another venue depending on the COVID situation at the time.
If the production has to be postponed, Ms Christie said "it won't be a waste".
"We have the bones of a cabaret. We have the bones of a local theatre group," she said.
"We are ready to go next year [if necessary]."
Gunnedah shire deputy mayor Rob Hooke said the idea was "quite different to others put forward in this round of drought funding" and was "necessary for the community" because it would improve mental health and well-being for all involved and provide "long-term benefits".
Show director Rebecca Ryan said it gave creative arts the ability to "build resilience in people".
"It gives people another outlet ... [and] opens them up to a new network of people in town," she said.
Ms Christie said it was also important to keep the arts afloat during COVID.
"It's very tough ... afterwards we need the industry to still be going," she said.
