- $475,685 in funding will bring five performances to regional WA venues
- Playing WA shares locally produced performing arts shows with regional audiences
- Performances include Yirra Yaakin Theatre Company's Dating Black
The Playing WA program will support five performing arts companies to tour their shows to communities in regional WA, sharing in $475,685 as part of the first funding round of 2022-2023.
The funding is part of the McGowan Government's Regional Arts and Cultural Investment Program (RACIP), which aims to increase creative activity across the State. This funding boost brings the total investment in regional touring to over $5.2 million since 2019.
Yirra Yaakin Aboriginal Corporation was awarded $102,627 to tour Dating Black, a funny and energetic debut by playwright Narelle Thorne, to the Goldfields-Esperance, Great Southern and South-West regions.
Theatre 180 Inc received $94,132 for the second regional tour of critically acclaimed Sydney II: Lost and Found, this time to communities in the Great Southern, Goldfields-Esperance and South-West regions.
Every Other Theatre Company, supported by CircuitWest, received $55,274 to bring Alex and Evie and the Forever Falling Rain to the Great Southern and Wheatbelt regions, including skills workshops and engagement for young people.
Performing Lines Limited WA was awarded $114,991 to bring Mararo Wangai's music and theatre production Black Brass to the Great Southern and Mid-West regions.
Whiskey and Boots received $108,661 to tour Bystander, comprised of performances and exhibitions, to the Goldfields-Esperance, Mid-West and South-West regions.
RACIP is administered by the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries.
As stated by Culture and the Arts Minister David Templeman:
"Access to cultural and arts experiences is an important part of supporting vibrant and connected communities and we also know that the arts make people feel good.
"I am excited that these outstanding performances will get to hit the road across regional WA.
"This important funding program ensures our high-calibre creative productions are shared with a broader audience which, in turn, inspires creativity throughout the regions."
As stated by Regional Development Minister Don Punch:
"The Regional Arts and Cultural Investment Program produces great benefits for Western Australian communities, both in terms of people's wellbeing and economic outcomes.
"Playing WA allows performances to be presented at regional performing arts venues, supporting those venues as well as boosting local businesses in the process."
