The Productions
Actors for Refugees is a large group of professional actors from all over Australia committed to providing a voice for refugees. We believe the truth of the refugees' plight has not been reported enough by the media and that consequently many Australians have a distorted view of who these people really are and how they are being treated.
In order to bring some balance, we offer their stories to the public through readings, music and poetry, presented as our performances Club Refuge and Something to Declare.
Something to Declare is a rehearsed performance of a scripted piece for four actors and two musicians, drawn from interviews with refugees and collated by well-known playwright Michael Gurr. It runs a little over an hour. Club Refuge is a selection of stories, poems and songs which can be tailored to any length from 45 minutes for age groups from Year 10 upwards.
Highly skilled, experienced and often very well-known actors perform; and we hope to entertain as well as inform. Performers accept no payment (other than petrol money for country trips) but give any donated money directly to refugee groups. To cover Actors for Refugees' administration costs, we require a fee for performances of our new show Something to Declare. We suggest a gold coin donation for school children attending Club Refuge shows.
There is an opportunity for questions at the end of each performance; and we hope to leave our audience inspired and motivated, not depressed.
We need:
- A stage (it can be small) on which chairs are placed in a semi-circle.
- City schools and halls: 10 chairs.
- Country venues: 4-6 chairs, depending on cast size.
- A well-lit performance area, though no lighting changes are necessary.
- If the performance space is large, a microphone.
- A gold coin donation from each audience member, to be given to a current refugee cause. In the past we have bought school clothes for two little girls in detention who are now permitted to attend school 'outside'.
- For locations outside the Melbourne metro area, we appreciate a petrol contribution.
- Accommodation for overnight stays.
Actors from well-known shows such as The Secret Life of Us, Neighbours and Blue Heelers are regular performers with Club Refuge and Something to Declare; and we guarantee a performance of high standard.
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