An operetta to be set in a small-town post office and an interactive theatre work for children will become the new works by NOPRA's newly announced local artist residency recipients, Valley Lipcer and Melia Naughton.

Newrybar resident Melia Naughton will collaborate with Joel Cooper and Anouska Gammon to develop the operetta entitled 'New Blood'.

Wilsons Creek resident Valley Lipcer of Roundabout Theatre will work with local artists, teachers and children to develop an outdoor, interactive theatre work for children 5-9 years exploring themes of bravery, transformation, journey and connection to nature.

NORPA chief executive and artistic director Julian Louis said Melia and Valley are both creative powerhouses in the region.

"We’re thrilled to be able to provide them, and their creative teams, with the support to research and develop these exciting new works,” he said.

"Both projects share NORPA’s passion for new, bold and ambitious works, that play with form and challenge the conventions of theatre.”

Valley Lipcer, Joel Cooper, Melia Naughton, Anouska Gammon at Bangalow Post Office.

Melia

Melia Naughton is an actor, musician, songwriter and singing leader. She graduated from the Victorian College of the Arts (VCA) and worked with the Bell Shakespeare Company and Playbox Theatre Company.

She was one half of Scarlett Affection, a folk-pop act that toured the US, Canada and Australia. Melia currently presents the extremely popular pub choir experience Shire Choir, singing circles and dynamic vocal workshops. 

Melia said she wanted to create something immersive and engaging.

"This opportunity provided by NORPA is thrilling as it offers us the space to do this," she said. "To collaborate and combine our skills and to tell local stories in surprising and bold ways. As makers and creators it is wonderfully affirming to have the support of NORPA.”

During their residency with NORPA, Melia and her collaborators will research and develop an operetta, with the working title ‘New Blood’, exploring the relationships and stories that circulate within a small town as it undergoes significant shifts due to an influx of urban dwellers buying into the regional dream. 

“The post office is a central heartbeat and community epicentre of any small town. Everyone at some point enters the regional post office to sign documents, pay bills, send and pick up packages,” Melia said.

"There are so many new locals. Everyone has come from somewhere. From everywhere. It’s a cocktail of diversity. This project poses the questions: What makes a ‘local’? What is it to belong to a small town?”

Valley

Valley Lipcer is a director, performer and creative producer. As a performer she toured to more than 100 international arts festivals with Strange Fruit and Snuff Puppets.

She founded Roundabout theatre in 2005 and has created a diverse body of original theatre works including immersive, site specific, promenade and educational shows as well as placemaking projects, participatory arts events and festivals.

She has also worked as a creative producer for NORPA, Mullum Circus Festival, Falls Festival and Lismore City Council.

Valley said the residency lets her "take some creative risks, experiment with form, format and sites, to collaborate with diverse artists and to play-test ideas with young people”.

Valley and collaborators will research and develop an interactive, outdoor theatre work, with the working title ‘Understory’, for children aged 5-9. The work explores the concept of the child as a hero called to adventure. The audience will be active participants in the show, affecting the progress of the story through imaginative problem solving, courage and creativity.

“The project I’m interested in developing takes inspiration from the groundswell of people in this region who are creative, progressive and proactive in bringing about alternative approaches to education, living and raising children,” she said.

The NORPA residencies will support the research and development of these inspiring projects over the next three months. This is a key part in developing new Australian work for presentation in later years.