Local actors take to the stage for new production

The play stars nine local actors who will be taking to the stage each weekend until February 16.

Michael O'Mullane is a performer from Kempsey who has worked as a dancer and in musicals in a number of productions both in Australia and overseas.

He has returned to the Bandbox Theatre stage as Ian in Flame Trees, which is where he says he feels most at home performing.

"There's a big difference performing to an audience of your friends and family, I do put more pressure on myself to do a good job," he said.

"I have mostly been involved in dance and musicals, so to do a straight stage production, which is also an original, does push me to do my best on stage."

The 34-year-old said the biggest challenge for him is playing a character that is very nervous and uncomfortable.

"Its hard for me to play a meek character, because I'm not like that in real life, but it's also a challenge and I know that I have grasped how to portray the character."

Chelsea Andrukatis, who plays Amanda in Flame Trees, recently relocated to Victoria four months into rehearsals.

"I've pretty much been rehearsing on my own because I wanted to stay involved in the play. I knew it was something I really wanted to do, so we made it work," Chelsea said.

Chelsea will be returning to Victoria when the play finishes in a couple of weeks.

Like Michael, 27-year-old Chelsea was involved in drama at school, and said she found her passion for theatre at a young age.

"Drama was my favourite subject at school, I absolutely loved it, but I haven't had any opportunities since leaving school to pursue acting," she said.

"Stepping out onto the stage really feels like I'm slipping into my natural skin and becoming myself."

Both Michael and Chelsea said they were nervous before opening night on Saturday.

"I told my family and friends not to tell me which night they were coming because it would just make me more nervous, but now it's just more excitement instead of nerves for our next performances," Chelsea said.

"I get nervous excited, so there was that moment of nerves before we came out on stage but it all just melted away," Michael added.

The cast of Flame Trees will also be putting on a special performance and Q & A for high school students during the next two weeks.

"The creative arts is very underrated and isn't really instilled in school, but it should be," Chelsea said.

"We want to empower kids who grew up in Kempsey and show them that they can do productions like this."

"During the Q & A, the more hands that go up the better. If we inspire one kid to pursue theatre then that's enough," Michael added.

Writer and director of Flame Trees Chris Dockrill said he is immensely proud of the cast and their hard work.

"The cast are outstanding, all of the work they have put in really shows," he said.

"We've had a lot of positive responses from the audience who came and saw the play on the weekend."

The play will run each weekend on Friday and Saturday night with A Sunday matinee until February 16.

Tickets can be purchased online at Tickethost and are also available at Coastline Credit Union and Hourglass Jewellers.

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