A BRAVE NEW WORLD 2024

Step into a realm where imagination knows no bounds and bravery takes centre stage in a ground-breaking youth theatre show developed alongside the power of AI. Get ready for an exhilarating journey that will challenge your perceptions, ignite your courage, and redefine what it means to be brave in the face of this Brave New World.

Our talented Fast Track Ensembles from the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast invite you to experience their distinctive interpretations of the Brave New World they are rapidly approaching. This season showcases six compelling plays, each offering a unique perspective on the role of AI in their lives.

Over the past three terms, these dedicated groups have poured their creativity into devising these productions. From crafting narratives and developing rich characters to shaping dynamic scenes, they have undertaken a comprehensive rehearsal process to bring their visions to life. Tonight, we are thrilled to share the fruits of their hard work and boundless creativity with you.

Andrew Wright

WRITTEN & DIRECTED BY CHRISTIE ECKERSLEY

In the centre of a quiet, if a little wacky, garden village called Carnation Street sits a beautiful garden. This garden, a natural gathering place and for the community, is
tended to by the towns grandparent Harold and wife Amanda. Our murder mystery, narrated by a town detective (and Dog) Detective Fluffy Kins, begins as a herald from the State Horticultural Society arrived to announce they are in the running for a $30,000 grant because of their garden, shortlisted alongside their rival village Plantville. However, the town in thrown into a tizzy as flowers begins mysteriously dying.
When the limitations of human surveillance become obvious the town here offers a new radical solution - a round the clock camera surveillance system. While town hippie Miranda amongst others arnt comfortable with the new option, the town agrees, only to find more flowers dying with no camera evidence.

With the prize judgment day looming ever closer, the town, lead by their over zealous mayor become desperate for answers and begin throwing blame wherever they see fit. This leads to more mistrust and more ridiculous antics and more cameras until no one is safe from their personal lives being put on display.
Will the one peaceful community find the culprit? Will they ever regrow their garden and trust in one another? What would you do if the cameras were on you?

Project creation:

From the beginning of this project the class knew they wanted to perform a comedy full of strong hilarious characters that gives them the opportunity to challenge their physicality and voice work, which is exactly what carnation street has become. However, despite its playful, comical nature the play tackles a very controversial topic and stems from the classes serious conversations on Artificial Intelligence and the advance of technology and its use in our communities. We began by discussing the Artificial intelligence theme and to my surprise the group was quite uneasy with venturing into this Brave New world and felt unsure about how involved they wanted artificial intelligence in our society. These initial lessons coincided with the tragic deaths that occurred at Bondi Shopping centre, which peaked the students interests in how artificial intelligence and surveillance can bring us more safety and security as a society. However, when discussing the idea of having cameras up everywhere, continually monitoring us for safety - the concern for privacy and lack of trust became a hot topic in class, birthing the concept for Carnation street.

Each character in the play was built to counteract each other and make a simple plot about a flower garden into a hilarious journey. I loved working with the students on using a mix of theatrical devices like slapstick and shadow puppetry to make the story more engaging and seeing their overall skill and teamwork grow. Working with young actors at different stages of their acting journey and skill, some who are new to fast track and other who have been with goat track for multiple years and program I’m so proud of their work ethic and drive to create the best show they can. Their focus and passion meant I could shape characters to their strengths and then watch and guide as each student worked to shape their characters and physicality and vocal work and push the limits of their own bold performances.

One of the most difficult aspects of comedic acting is timing and size which requires plenty of hard work and careful development and practise, while the premise of this story is simple it is no small feat. to perform. I could no be prouder of this group, how they have grown and encouraged each other so each pulls each other up and shines in their own way.

Christie Eckersley

RATED PG - we recommend parental guidance for viewing of this play for children and young people.

TECHNICAL CREW

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR - Andrew Wright

WRITER / DIRECTOR - Christie Eckersley

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR - Eve Saunders

COSTUME & PROPS - Christie Eckersley

SOUND & LIGHTING DESIGNER - Christie Eckersley

SOUND OPERATOR - Nathan Clark

LIGHTING OPERATOR - TLD Event Creation technical crew

PHOTOGRAPHY - Louise Bahnson

THANK YOUS

AND our Goat Track Team of awesome people who are behind the scenes at all of our events assisting with ticketing, front of house, costume, hair and makeup, building, painting, sewing, sourcing, buying, emailing and phoning in order to make this production possible. Tamara, Heiki, Scarlett, Monique, Emma, Courtney, Lilli; you guys rock!