Promoting inclusive theatre productions

Tropical Arts Association Inc has secured $25,000 in Council funding over the next three years to assist with the production of inclusive community theatre performances.

Council has partnered with Tropical Arts Association Inc – in collaboration with many access organisations in the region, such as ARC Disability, Deadly Hands, and Deaf Services – for a number of years to develop and present inclusive community theatre performances at Tanks Arts Centre.

Tropical Arts was established in 2007 and provides opportunities for people to participate in theatre production, from professional actors and amateurs, to students and novices, visual artists, musicians, and community members.

The organisation places significant emphasis on diversity, accessibility and inclusion, with two-thirds of their 45 cast and crew members identifying as having an access need and over 50% being under the age of 25.

The organisation has been using Tanks Arts Centre for over 10 years as a rehearsal space and performance venue for their signature productions of Shakespeare at the Tanks.

Last year, Tropical Arts produced Cleo & Tony, a 1930s rendition of the historic Shakespeare story Anthony and Cleopatra.