By Victoria Stone-Meadows
Casey Councillor Wayne Smith has put forward a bold new strategy to bring more performing arts to the City of Casey.
At a council meeting on Tuesday 7 March, Cr Smith raised two notices regarding The Factory performing arts centre in Cranbourne and the Windmill Theatre Company.
The two motions were carried at the council meeting and will have council investigating expanding the size of The Factory and meeting with Windmill Theatre Company to explore establishing their base of operations in the City of Casey.
Cr Smith said he was very proud of his involvement in having The Factory established but said due to the growing size of the region it was desperate need of expanding.
“I was a driving force behind it originally but over the last few years it has become obvious we need more space,” he said.
“There is just not enough time and space for everyone who wants to use it.”
Cr Smith has asked Casey Council to receive a report by the first meeting in May that outlines the opportunities to include a new workshop space, extra garage space and rehearsal space to the existing structure.
The second motion raised by Cr Smith asks for a meeting to be arranged between council and representatives of the Windmill Theatre Company to discuss the group storing sets and having a permanent rehearsal space in the City of Casey.
Windmill Theatre Company currently have their set production based in Cardinia Shire, some rehearsal spaces in Casey and their main performance space at The Drum theatre in Dandenong.
Cr Smith hopes that through discussion with Casey Council, The Windmill Theatre Company will be able to find a stable and consolidated home in Casey.
“I think that’s a great idea and I am looking forward to find them a suitable space,” he said.
Windmill Theatre Company president Sean Van Geyzel said that he and his group were looking forward to exploring their options for basing the company in City of Casey.
“We are looking at where are we are going in the future and Casey is definitely one of the areas we are looking at,” he said.
“One of the things we need to do to determine what is in the best interest of us and our supporter base and how we can most reach the biggest section of the communities in Greater Dandenong and Casey.”
“Casey is a strong growth area and with big new state of the art facilities at Bunjil Place.”
Mr Van Geyzel said while ‘The Factory’ in Cranbourne would be one option, they would also like to explore the possibility of building their own dedicated space.
“We would like to find out if there is an opportunity for us to establish our own base of operation like a football club does and perhaps even have access to land where we could build our own facility,” he said.
“We have some ideas of what we would like to achieve and we want to link that in with the community.”
“We have a whole bunch of ideas and while they are just ideas at this stage, we are keen to meet with council, explore those opportunities and hopefully have relationships with Casey going forward.”
While these discussions are underway, Cr Smith said he will continue to bring more and more performing arts to the Casey region.
“The arts have the problem that there is a perception that sports get everything, which is partially true,” he said.
“Arts have done better since I’ve been around and Casey arts groups have got much better but I want to see more performing arts in Casey.”
