Albatross Musical Theatre Company (AMTC) has been bringing live musical theatre shows to the Shoalhaven for more than 45 years but they're now urgently seeking a new home.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The company has grown substantially over the years and since 1995 has produced more than 70 shows, each requiring its own sets, props and costumes, which are constructed or made by dedicated volunteers at various locations.
In the last few years, AMTC was able to rent a small warehouse where sets could be constructed and stored and the space also allowed room for rehearsals with the sets in the final few weeks before a show.
Unfortunately, AMTC are in a situation where they have to look for an alternate location rather quickly and are appealing to the public for help.
Director of AMTC's Junior Albatross Musical (JAM) Julia Armstrong said finding the right space is proving challenging.
"Our junior program for kids aged between 10-15 has commenced and rehearsals for Alice In Wonderland are underway which is to be performed at the Shoalhaven Entertainment Centre this July," she said.
"We are only part way through building our sets but are now at a standstill. We have contacted local real estate agents to find alternate premises but are finding that rentals for adequate shed size and facilities are hard to find or outside our limited budget.
"We are a not-for-profit organisation and our finances have suffered over the last year from no shows, so we are appealing to the public for assistance."
AMTC also has a substantial amount of construction equipment, building materials, sets and props that need to be moved from their existing location and stored in the immediate future.
The committee is asking if any individuals or companies have an empty shed or sheds or vacant land available that could be used for either set construction or storage or both, to please contact them.
Financial donations towards rental assistance would also be welcome.
President of AMTC committee Laura Turner said the first priority is to find somewhere to finish the sets for the July shows.
"The ideal for us would be to have our own space where we can build and store sets, have space for rehearsals, workshops and costume fittings, a place to call our own," she said.
"We would be interested in a long-term lease agreement so this could become a reality. However, our present urgency is to find a place where we can finish off our sets for our show in July and to find storage for all our other property and gear and any assistance offered would be appreciated."
If you are able to help AMTC email secretary@amtc.org.au or contact secretary Julie Fraser on 0432 188 507.
What is JAM?
JAM is short for Junior Albatross Musical. The program was launched in 2017 when the AMTC committee recognised there was a number of children undertaking their own private dance, drama, music and singing lessons and thought to give them an opportunity to bring their skills together into a real on-stage production.
JAM aims to promote a love of musical theatre in young performers and to help develop excellence in the various skills needed to progress to future AMTC productions as they get older.
Welcoming children between the ages of 10 and 15 of varying abilities and disabilities, the plan is to always find a role in the JAM team. There are no fees charged for JAM and AMTC has a policy of total inclusion. The catch cry is "we are all cogs in the wheel".
JAM has weekly rehearsals and workshops help to promote teamwork, creativity, discipline, resilience and tolerance. It creates strong friendships among like-minded peer groups.
Starting with the show, Dear Edwina Jr in 2017, the production had 45 children performing at the studio space at the Shoalhaven Entertainment Centre but this quickly moved to using the auditorium theatre stage the following year to accommodate the increased cast size as the company grew.
JAM has since produced JAMpact Showcase and Shrek Jr in 2018, Aladdin Jr in 2019 and is set to bring Alice In Wonderland in July 2021 to the Shoalhaven Entertainment Centre with 72 enthusiastic children currently enrolled and rehearsing weekly.
