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Nathan – Star of the Show

Nathan is our Star of the Show

After the success of our ENCORE Show, Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation sent a film crew to Options Theatre Company to audition our ensemble in the search for someone to star in their upcoming advertising campaign.

The crew filmed and interviewed several participants and also made a mini movie of Options Theatre Company which they shared on their social media platforms.

Options Theatre Company’s Nathan Parker was chosen to feature in the Advertising Campaign for Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation.

The advertising campaign included TV ads, Radio commercials, Print ads, videos and Nathan’s story was featured prominently on the Newcastle Permanent websites and social media.

In December 2018 Nathan traveled to the Newcastle Studios at the Hunter Design School with his entourage (Stuart and Michelle) to shoot the TV commercials. They all enjoyed the movie making experience in the hands of the enigmatic Director Karl Brandstator from Enigma, who filmed and directed the shoot.

Nathan also recorded the TV and radio ads on the same day. The campaign was officially launched in March across the media and became one of Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation’s most successful campaigns.

Being the ‘Star of The Show’ was a very exciting experience for Nathan and he was certainly given the ‘Star’ treatment by the crew and the team from Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation.

Nathan and Stuart were invited to attend as Special Guest presenters at the Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation’s Grant Giving Ceremony in May, 2019. Nathan and Stuart appeared as VIP Guests on the stage and they were interviewed with footage being broadcast on TV news networks.

We are very grateful to Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation for their ongoing support of Options Theatre Company.

You can read more about Nathan’s Story here.

For more information about Options Theatre Company, visit our website optionstheatrecompany.org.au.

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ENCORE Shows Huge Success

ENCORE Shows – Huge Success

Options Theatre Company presented their first show, ‘ENCORE’ at their new Tuggerah Facility in October 2018. The ‘ENCORE’ Show featured a showcase of acts from our Opening Night Launch and included everything from singing and dancing performances to Shakespeare monologues.

Culminating in spectacular finale featuring all 70 cast members the cast performed, ‘From Now On’ from the Greatest Showman and had the audience on their feet cheering and clapping.

The shows were a huge hit and SOLD OUT every performance.

One special show was dedicated as a thank you to Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation and was attended by their Chair, Phil Neat as well as members of their Executive Board.

Another show was put on especially for local schools and was enjoyed immensely by groups of students who attended.

Due to popular demand, there were two additional evening performances in November which also SOLD OUT and received standing ovations.

The show was recorded and Options Theatre Company released the ENCORE DVD which was released in time for Christmas so that the cast and crew could relive the magic and was snapped up by those who missed out on seeing the Live Performance.

For more information about Options Theatre Company, visit their website optionstheatrecompany.org.au.

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Opening Night Launch

Opening Night Launch

Options Theatre Company celebrated in style with a sparkling Grand Opening Night Event on Friday 7 September, 2018.

The new theatre training facility located in Tuggerah is a fully operational rehearsal and performance space with a company of creatives, actors, technicians, musicians, directors, dancers and artists who happen to be people with disability.

Options Theatre Company is exclusively and inclusively for people with disabilities and is a place are welcomed into a world filled with creative opportunities. Mentored by a Team of Arts Industry Professionals, there’s a range of ‘hands-on’ experiences on offer, which include professional training in Drama, Music, Dance, Film-making, Photography and Creative Writing.

Artistic Director, Stuart Smith was very pleased to open the new Options Theatre Company rehearsal and performance space.

This is a place to give voice to a group of people who have something to say and have not had the opportunity or platform in which to express it. This is a new, inclusive, creative and exciting initiative. One that should be supported and nourished to success “

Musical Director, Andrew Sampford said he is thrilled to have created a safe and welcoming space, where everyone is given an opportunity to be part of the show.

Whether it’s behind the scenes, on the stage, or in the spotlight, everyone is given a chance to shine here at Options. “

Options Theatre Company is a unique concept and is a creative initiative of Options Disability Support, who have been working to support people with disabilities and their families across the Central Coast for almost 25 years.

CEO, Denise Stingmore is very proud to see her vision fulfilled and commented…

Our artists are proof that with the support of people who believe in them, they can achieve great things…we see beyond their disability. “

The VIP Launch and Grand Opening was an invitation only event and was attended by many VIP guests including local MP Member for Dobell,  Emma McBride and Lucy Wicks MP, Liberal Member for Robertson.

The Opening Night audience was treated to a wonderful show, starting with Alexander cutting the ribbon to reveal the new theatre space and a showcase of talented performances from the Options Theatre Company Ensemble.

Delighted audiences laughed and cried as they were treated to everything from tap dancing to moving performances of a Shakespeare monologue and a scene from Romeo & Juliet. The guests enjoyed listening to beautiful songs with one special performance using sign language.

The Encore show culminated in a crescendo with the entire company performing a finale number, ‘From Now On’ from the Greatest Showman. The curtains coming back to reveal the entire Theatre Company rehearsal space where guests were later invited to enjoy drinks and canapes during the speeches.

A magnificently decorated cake was created by Alex from his cake making business, Mr Alexander’s Sweet Eats.

For more information about Options Theatre Company, visit their website optionstheatrecompany.org.au.