In a recent email to parents, it was unanimously decided that the not-for-profit association would cease immediately “due to insufficient board members”.

Parents of Freefall children were invited to a special meeting last week to discuss the group's future.

Outgoing chairperson Melanie Hamilton said with all but one board member having resigned and no other parents expressing interest in taking on the roles, they were left with no other choice than to fold.

Mrs Hamilton acknowledged that weekly acting workshops with coordinator Lisa van Oyen had “grown like crazy” and that the children had certainly been learning a great deal about theatre performance, improvisation skills and theatre etiquette.

She said the highlight at the end of term two was seeing the children perform on stage for the community at the Boulder Town Hall as part of the centenary celebrations.

Mrs Hamilton said a great deal of thought was given to winding up the activities of Freefall and whilst it was disappointing now, she understood that people were busy and shouldn’t be pressured to commit to taking on roles unless they could give the time commitment.

Meantime however, there could still be hope on the horizon for Kalgoorlie-Boulder’s up-and-coming “Nicole Kidmans and Hugh Jackmans”, with another community group keen to foster the development of children's theatre.

Hopes high for new group

IN THE aftermath of last week's meeting, the outgoing FYA Inc. board members have approached the President and committee of the Stage Left Theatre Troupe Goldfields WA Inc. seeking their support.

“At an open meeting this evening the decision was made to close Freefall Youth Arts Inc. The lack of parent involvement has meant that this service is inoperable in its current form,” the letter stated.

“However, the level of children's participation in Freefall Youth Arts Inc. has demonstrated that there is a strong demand among juniors for training in and involvement with the dramatic arts in Kalgoorlie-Boulder.

“It has come to the attention of the board of Freefall Youth Arts Inc. that Stage Left may be prepared to run dramatic arts classes for children. As Freefall Youth Arts Inc. is ceasing to exist, the board would be extremely happy if Stage Left is able to fill a community void.

Stage Left Theatre Troupe President Kevin Blair said the creation of a youth theatre arm had already been discussed at one of their committee meetings earlier this year and had been met with an overwhelmingly positive response.

“We have the people, the skills, the time and the talent to make this happen,” Mr Blair said.

“We're very keen to support this area of the Arts as the kids are our future members and community leaders.

“I have seen first hand how immensely the children enjoy participating in the Freefall workshops and how much they have grown in character and ability so we'd really like to foster that further.”

Mr Blair said Stage Left already had half a dozen junior members, with plans in hand to develop weekly acting and improvisation workshops for young performers.

He said the only remaining hurdle to getting things going was securing a permanent rehearsal venue and club rooms for Stage Left, where children could safely and happily perform and learn.

“The City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder has been very supportive and understanding of our need for a permanent base for Stage Left and have been working hard to find us a solution,” Mr Blair said.

“It’s the only thing that is holding us back from being able to increase theatre arts opportunities to the wider community.

“Hopefully we will cross that bridge soon because if everything works out, we could potentially have youth theatre classes up and running in a matter of weeks, rather than months.”