Grounded by Alana Valentine

Against the backdrop of one of the most intriguing events in Newcastle’s recent history we meet Farrah, a teenager obsessed with the industrial port. It’s a fascination none of the kids at school understand. It’s fine to be interested in something, but take it too far and you’re a total freak. When a storm forces the Pasha Bulker onto to Nobbys Beach, and the world’s attention turns to the harbour she knows so well, all of Farrah’s plans for the future become grounded in a confronting reality.

This touching and unexpected coming-of-age tale by one of Australia’s most acclaimed playwrights, Alana Valentine, was co-commissioned by Australian Theatre for Young People and Tantrum Youth Arts (Then Tantrum Theatre). Capturing the contrasts of an industrial city re-inventing itself in a new century, Grounded looks at the way life can take us to places we don’t expect.

  • Director || Joshua Maxwell

  • Assistant Director || Charlotte Cooke

  • Producer || Jessica Pascuzzo

  • Music || Declan Green

  • The Art House || October 2017

Meet the Cast

Elyse Hayhurst as Farrah || Jessica Nader as Chloe || Lachlan Knight as Jack || Danielle Brame Whiting as Matilda 1 || Les Bessney as The Harbourmaster || Brigette Johnston as Matilda/Figure || Tayah Blackman as Matilda/Figure || Daniel George as James/Figure || Liam Barbeler as Jim/Figure || Emony Atmore as Figure || Katie Hallett as Figure || Justin Boyle as Figure

Show Photos

Credits & Thank you's

Credits
FOH Manager – Jessica Pascuzzo || Production Admin – Kelly Maxwell & Jayn Johnston || Graphic Design – Watermelon Jam || Educational Programming – Rebecca Roth || Photography – Rambling Pictures || Stage Crew – Vanessa Nakhoul & Gretel Skinner || Set Construction – Kelly Maxwell, Dakota Lily, Chris Hallett, Les Bessney || Seamstress’ – Marijke Ward, Danielle McDiarmid, Kylie Le Strande || Kelly Maxwell || Venue Technician – Daniel Lowe for The Art House || Art House Staff – Anne Marie Heath, Rosemary Hodgson, Emily Carryar, Nik Lyons

Thank You’s
Tantrum Youth Arts, ATYP, Xtract Drama Academy, The Art House, Storage King Berkeley Vale, NAISDA Dance College, James & Anna Carter, Lots of Watts, Oxy/Deb/1st Tumbi Scouts, Central Coast Music Factory, Sister Ellen & St Josephs Kincumber, Lakes Printers, The Maxwell Family, Adelaide Youth Theatre, Peter Brame Whiting, Harry Saldine