Tim Hawthorne is the vice president of community theatre group, Moonlite Theatre. He chats to Laura Michell about life in Moorabool Shire and the importance of community theatre groups.
What is your connection to Moorabool?
I have lived in Moorabool for the last 10 years, and have previously worked in Moorabool for nine years, currently volunteer for several local not-for-profit organisations.
What do you like about where you live?
We are so close to nature, we have platypuses in the Werribee River, we have the Werribee Gorge State Park and Lerdergerg State Park on our door step.
What, if anything, would you like to change about where you live?
The roads. The state of local roads are atrocious, and potholes need to stopped being refilled, and be properly patched, as the refills hardly last weeks.
How did you come to be involved in Moonlite Theatre?
I was performing at another community theatre company, with a fellow member of Moonlite Theatre, and they told me about the theatre company and went to their next performance of BaccChat.
How often does Moonlite Theatre stage local productions?
Moonlite Theatre stages two productions each autumn and spring, we also are invited to perform at BaccChat in December and often at retirement villages.
Why do you think community theatre groups are so important?
Community theatre groups are important as they strengthen connection with a community by bringing people together who are interested in the performing arts, provide opportunities for personal growth, and allow individuals from diverse backgrounds to express themselves and build relationships, all whilst having fun and continuing to learn and improve with other performers and theatre enthusiasts.
How can people get involved with Moonlite Theatre?
We regularly meet once a month on the last Saturday of the month for play readings and theatre games, outside of that we regularly audition for our upcoming plays which can be found in local newspapers like the Star Weekly, on our website, and our Facebook page.
What’s one thing people would be surprised to know about you?
I was an extra in a movie and worked with Sam Neil. I recommend anyone interested in film looking for an extra opportunity, as it is interesting to see how films are made.
