Exit Theatre Inc.

Exit Theatre Inc. emerged from the Yarra Valley Youth Theatre Group in February 2007. Until 2009 it successfully staged five productions (Kate Walker’s Aboriginal Poetry and Stories; various one-act plays by Mrozek and Chekov, Fly Guardian by S. Figura, Goodbye Judas by I. Iredynski) in various venues of Healesville. In 2009 it suspended its activities due to the bushfires and only now, after four years, Exit Theatre Inc. is trying to revive and present the community of Healesville and surrounds with a variety of productions. With the strong support of Yarra Ranges Council, local businesses and arts hubs it has already staged At Home At the Zoo by E. Albee, Down an Alley Filled with Cats by W. Moss. Recently, it has been running a Script writing competition “My Place, My People” for people who live, work and play in Yarra Valley. The group is currently working on a Ukrainin play “The Suicide of Solitude” by Neda Nejdana and the adaptation of Jungal Book by Mast

Most members of Exit Theatre Inc. live in the community of the Shire of Yarra Ranges, though the group often invites artists from Melbourne, as they believe in a strong connection between regional arts and Melbourne. Exit Theatre Inc. intends to build a strong network of artistic people who are able to provide a dynamic and stimulating theatrical contribution, culminating in high quality performances. This network forms a foundation for a potentially thriving theatre culture in Healesville.

Exit Theatre Inc. received five awards in June 2007 from the GemCo One Act Play Festival: Best Youth Male, Best Youth Female, and Best Youth production, Judges for the Set and Costumes, and the Judges Award for Best Physicality.
It was also awarded in the Victorian Drama League Awards in October 2008, with Goodbye Judas for the best translated script.

Our plans include developing the group by encouraging more members for all aspects of the theatre production. Our aim is to bring or involve local artists to increase the quality of the productions – theatre is not only acting; it is the sets, costumes, music. We will be looking for any volunteers to help us increase local awareness of theatre, but also participate in the creation of illusion and reality.

The community benefits with diverse cultural performance that is unique and, with time, provides tourism potential in the Healesville area. The wider community will increase in awareness of theatre culture with the more performances completed by Exit Theatre Inc.