By John Marc Desengano
After 3 years of lockdowns, young artists from all over Melbourne’s western suburbs present their new exciting show as part of Western Edge’s community program, Edge Ensembles.
Western Edge is a not-for-profit arts organisation based in Melbourne’s west that provides programs, workshops and productions in schools, community hubs and spaces for young people keen to explore and express their stories and creativity in safe spaces.
Western Edge participants from ensembles in Wyndham, Footscray and St. Albans bring to life their own separate works that they’ve been creating for 15 weeks, only to mash them together, to make one new, unique, and original show called ‘Distortion’.
‘Distortion’ is a time-tripping, genre-bending subversive hot take on everything from rituals, curses, mythology, historical breakthroughs and all the little moments that have occurred in between the Big Bang and TikTok.
A renaissance prince, an influencer and a magical amulet walk into a bar. In 2030. What could go wrong?
The presentation of this production is truly the celebration of its creative process, one that is unique and quite chaotic (in the most beautiful way).
For fifteen weeks, young participants aged between 12 and 27 join the Edge Ensemble program that is closest to them. There, they meet and collaborate with other young people to create the story they want to tell.
Each Edge Ensemble is led and supported by some of Melbourne’s most exciting artists, many of whom have come through the Western Edge program themselves. They’ve experienced the magic and importance of the program and therefore are the best leaders to share the heart of Western Edge to the newer participants and the community.
The production itself is designed by incredible, experienced and accomplished local designers to make this production look phenomenal.
Although there are incredible artists involved in putting this show on stage, the production truly belongs to the young participants. This is their story, their idea, and their creation. Western Edge simply has the privilege to provide the space for them to present it.
For a lot of these young people, this will be the first time that they’ve ever been on stage, in front of a live audience. It may also be the first time they’ve written, directed, and acted in a full-scale production. The experience, skills, friendships, and memories the participants gain throughout this program is special and long-lasting.
Western Edge invites you to come and celebrate the work of these wonderful young artists at one of the three performances of ‘Distortion’.
Western Edge will present ‘Distortion’ at the following three venues and dates:
- Wyndham Cultural Centre from 7pm to 8:30pm on Saturday, September 3.
- Footscray Community Arts from 7pm to 8.30pm on Saturday, September 10.
- The Bowery Theatre in St. Albans from 7pm to 8:30pm on Saturday, September 17.
All tickets are $5, and all venues are wheelchair accessible.
