Live Theatre in Coffs Harbour
With Jade Naidu and Lewis Hackfath
Live music is such an important part of local community engagement. It is the outlet that allows you to feel, experience and enjoy and nothing puts you through the motions quite like live theatre. In the Coffs Harbour region, we are lucky enough to have some amazing people keeping live theatre alive like Jade Naidu and Lewis Hackfath. Both artists have real world musical theatre experience and reflect on their feelings and attitudes towards local audiences. Jade highlighted that it’s an “inspiring time” for live theatre in Coffs Harbour however, feels as if “at times [local support] is a fight” in regards to ticket sales, audience participation and community engagement further pressing “that shared breath between artist and audience is what makes theatre electric.” Lewis shares similar views in what musical theatre is about, how it has a “profound way of bringing people together. Friendships you make on stage last a lifetime.” Lewis echoed that for his most recent show “ticket sales were lower than we hoped, a challenge faced with theatre in Coffs Harbour.” Lewis went on addressing “Coffs Harbour is facing many challenges…” in regards to live theatre, “Other than the Conservatorium, there are no real venues in Coffs Harbour suited to live theatre.”
We were lucky enough to share an interview with both Jade and Lewis.
We firstly talked to Jade Naidu, a multidisciplinary artist and creative of Indian, Fijian and Australian descent. You would have seen and heard of Jade from being the Artistic Director at the wildly popular Naidu Theatre Company and Woolgoolga Performing Arts Studio. We’ve been lucky enough to host Naidu’s theatre productions at The Con and they are truly works of magic. Here’s what she had to say:
MUSICAL EXPERIENCE
Since I was little, I’ve never not been onstage! All through my 20s I was kept busy…choreographic, producing and directing large scale stage shows.
HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT MUSICAL THEATRE?
I am so grateful to have found a form of art that can heal just as much as it inspires. Musical theatre uniquely combines storytelling, movement and emotion into an experience that, when crafted with heart, created a powerful connection between performers and audiences. What truly excites me is when musical theatre gives voice to stories that are often overlooked – regional, cultural, environmental and diasporic narratives…a space I am passionate about nurturing and expanding.
When a lighting change hits just right and the whole room gasps…when a last-minute fix becomes that most memorable part of the show…when a mother or father who always dreamed of performing ‘never saw themselves onstage’ and a year later they’re in the next musical…the list is endless, I love how it’s a place for everyone.
"The Con is fast becoming the heart of original and unique theatre projects."
HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT LIVE AUDIENCES/TICKET SALES AND SUPPORT IN COFFS HARBOUR?
Live audiences are everything. That shared breath between artist and audience is what makes theatre electric. But, ticket sales are challenging now more than ever. There is a huge gap between the costs of making theatre in regional areas and what our communities can afford to pay as well as visibility. At times yes, it is a fight. There’s incredible grassroots support – local venues, creatives, families and audiences – our local government has been really supportive of our projects over the years. It feels like Coffs Harbour has never been more alive with creative energy. The Conservatorium has also been instrumental in supporting this new era of theatre, offering space, collaboration and a sense of legitimacy to local productions. The challenge now is making sure our community can keep up so audiences know what’s on and artists aren’t losing out because of algorithms or limited marketing reach. We have the talent, we need better visibility. The Coffs Con is fast becoming the heart of original and unique theatrical projects and a future cultural hub for the Mid North Coast.
WHAT WOULD YOU RECOMMEND FOR PEOPLE TO SEE NEXT?
Our original musical Threads – A New Australian Eco Musical! It’s a love letter to our local community and features 10 quirky flora and fauna characters based along Waterfall Way.
We then caught up with Lewis from the multitalented HIT Media, here’s what he had to say:
MUSICAL EXPERIENCE
I have been involved with local theatre for over 7 years now. With a number of productions under my belt, my roles have seen me in both director/producer and actor/singer and dancer roles.
HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT MUSICAL THEATRE?
Musical theatre has a profound way of bringing people together. Friendships you make on the stage can last you a lifetime. I think music in general has such a powerful way of uniting people and fosters a sense of community and togetherness.
For me, energy comes from the audience. When you get the audience feedback during a show you can feel the whole dynamic of the show increase! When you get the positive feedback live you can’t help but elevate your performance.
HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT LIVE AUDIENCES/TICKET SALES AND SUPPORT IN COFFS HARBOUR?
Our ticket sales were lower than we had hoped but this is often a challenge faced in theatre in Coffs Harbour. New or unknown shows can often struggle to find an audience. However, the feedback we received from our audience was amazing! Everyone who saw the show absolutely loved it and saw comments like ‘I couldn’t stop laughing’, ‘a brilliant production for anywhere let alone a regional stage’. I think live theatre in Coffs Harbour is facing challenges. Unfortunately, rising costs of other venues make it unfeasible for smaller production companies. I love The Con, having produced two of my own shows in this venue and performed in several others, the space is wonderful, the acoustics are great and the staff are so easy to deal with. I would love to see the performance space at The Con continue to evolve and grow because Coffs Harbour is in short supply of spaces like it and I am glad to be able to support it.
WHAT WOULD YOU RECOMMEND FOR PEOPLE TO SEE NEXT?
I highly encourage everyone to support any local theatre projects they can! Audience numbers are what keep local theatre alive.
A big thank you to both Jade and Lewis for being a part of this interview. If you wanted to see more from them make sure you keep up to date with them on social media and their websites for the next show!
