True stories from the LGBTQIA+ community in central Victoria are told in a play to premiere at the Castlemaine Goods Shed on November 25-26.<\/p>\n
Thrive: Queer voices, out loud<\/em>, is the creation of Castlemaine-based company Black Apple Theatre.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve been working on Thrive<\/em> for two years now,\u201d said director Cheyney Caddy, \u201cIt\u2019s been such a labour of love and I couldn\u2019t be more excited to share this work with audiences.”<\/p>\n “I think when you become a theatre-maker everyone starts with the idea that they want to change the world for the better, and then as you gain experience, you learn how rare an opportunity that actually is; once in a lifetime, if you\u2019re lucky. Thrive<\/em> is my once in a lifetime. I know this work is going to make a difference.\u201d<\/p>\n Thrive<\/em> interweaves the real-life journeys of five LGBTQIA+ Victorians, three over 65-year-olds and two 25-year-olds, into a powerful piece of theatre.<\/p>\n It explores the way these generations are connected by love, humour, resilience and a fierce determination to create a more equitable future for their community.<\/p>\n All of the artists and performers working on Thrive<\/em> identify as part of the LGBTQIA+ community, which gives them a unique connection into the stories they are telling.<\/p>\n Mount Alexander local Aspen Beilharz is the young performer responsible for telling the story of Julie Peters; the real-life activist and trailblazer who became the first transgender person to run for parliament in Australia.<\/p>\n