We are complying with current government measures to limit the spread of the virus.
Check in code will be used at all rehearsals and events. Masks must be worn inside the venue. There are no restrictions for distancing if all attendees are fully vaccinated (please show your green tick to staff when attending or a proof of vaccination certificate). We are unable to conduct rehearsals at the venue or host events under strict social distancing restrictions (if a member or patron is not fully vaccinated i.e. 2 vaccinations) we will therefore have to ensure all attendees are fully vaccinated and appreciate your understanding. It is therefore a requirement that all members attending rehearsals or patrons attending performances are fully vaccinated and able to prove this on either their Qld Covid App or with vaccination certificate for entry to venue.

Qld Health Website

Thank you for your understanding and compliance to these measures, we have a duty of care to ensure the safety and well-being of our patrons and staff.

-End of year party

-Power of a Cultured Woman

-New ideas

Thank you to all members who recently joined us at the Sands Tavern for our end of year party. It was wonderful to meet new people and socialise with friends in the theatre. We welcomed several new members, involved in our upcoming January production of The Power of A Cultured Woman and shared stories and experiences of the theatre and the Coastal life.

We are well underway for our rehearsals for the January production and look forward ro seeing everyone again in the new year. The Power of a Cultured Woman is a new concept for sharing a more diverse and broader experience for our audiences as local scriptwriters, actors, dancers and singers, share their unique experieces and aspects of their varied cultural heritage. What a wonderful concept to engage in a storytelling style that often reflects ancient custom of oral history keeping by placing front and centre, stortellers and creatives, sharing their OWN story, rather than being the subject for a story by a writer, who views from an exterior lens.

As this is a fresh and inivative production, we invite members to get involved. We are still seeking roles to be filled within production areas and are always keen to welcome new members to our company. The idea for our January production, was first put forward by our secretary Kiti. At BATS, we pride ourselves in mounting diverse and innovative productions for our community and providing everyone, regardless of experience, an opportunity to get involved. It was wonderful to see, those who are long standing members of the theatre company, who have contibuted much to our company over the years, meet and mingle with recently joined members at the Sands. The turn out was fantastic and augurs well for the future of BATS. Next May, we look forward to taking part in the BWMCA 75th Anniversary celebrations, Alex Tillack and I have compiled an audio/visual celebration through the decades for an afternoon tea event-we will be sharing our story, history and celebrating everyone who has contributed over the years and the many groups that utilise this special community space. A ‘living’ memorial to the memory of those in the services during times of conflict, who sacrificed so much for peace.

When you consider the Amateur theatre not for profit, company that was formed in 1924, grew and evolved into our current BATS Theatre Incorporated Company, we will shortly be celebrating our 100th anniversary. We are still proudly community based and focused. Alice Rea recently handed over another cheque to the fabulous Buderim Foundation of several thousands of dollars, with all proceeds of opening night for ‘All the Great Books’ being given to the Foundation. We are still proudly associated as a not for profit affiliate of the BWMCA. Connections such as these matter and go beyond individuals. Indeed, our approach reflects a team spirit of collective involvement. From our hard working from of house volunteers, to the stage crew, the costume and tech crew, the creative production personnel-all play a vital role in the company.

Our identity is all the years that have been, the people who have come and gone, the individuals who have shaped the company, worked tirelessly given much. We value and appreciate the support of patrons and organisations, who have continued to be invested in a thriving local live theatre. We celebrate our unique part of the wider Buderim story, acknowledge the indigenous elders, past, present and emerging, on whose land we create and assert our continued commitment to creating and strengthening links with community.

Our local community has evolved and adapted over the years and we are so fortunate to have new members join us, sharing their stories and taking an active part in our creative endeavours.

As we look towards 2022, let us continue to be bold and take risks, rather than producing regularly, plays that have been literally ‘done to death’; the tried and true ‘old favourites’ are still a part of what we do but we continue to find that members and patrons are being engaged with new works or stories told with a distinctly fresh approach. Doing the same old, same old, in the same old way, offers little in the way of a challenge and how we like to challenge ourselves at BATS!

Perhaps you would like to join us at a meeting next year and please, bring ideas to the table. If you have an idea for a production, that might sound a bit /left of field’, we welcome it and can provide mentors to assist those who may be looking are looking to dip their feet into the performing arts. It’s a safe, welcoming and supportive environment at BATS.

If you would like to discuss ways you can be involved in our company, or discuss an idea you may have for a project, we would love to hear from you. You can contact us via admin@batstheatre.com or direct line to relevant production personnel on our website contact page.

Wishing all members and their loved ones a safe and joyful festive season.

Peta (Production Manager)