Shows at Werribee Park
‘In 2003, Alaine wrote and produced the play ‘What Was That’ for Werribee Park mansion. Whilst focussing on the history of the mansion it is highly entertaining, combining drama with comedy and scary elements. What started as a trial run, was so embraced by audiences it continued on with shows being performed each week all year round. 2023 will be its’ 20 year celebration. Other shows were then developed including ‘Down to Earth’ performed at the historical Werribee Park farm. Their new production ‘The Dress’ will be performed in the mansion September 2022 onwards.’
The ‘gourmet concert’
In 2002, Bart (a renowned chef) and Alaine started ‘the gourmet concert’ under the business ‘Essence Food Studio’. Each week guests to come from all over Melbourne to experience a cooking class with live entertainment. While Bart taught the guests how to cook the three course meal that was consumed throughout the night, Alaine and her team of creatives performed between courses. Some nights were ‘A taste of Shakespeare’ and guests experienced up and close, excerpts from some of Shakespeare’s best. Literally, the actors stood on the coffee table to perform. There were over 20 different themes with the Christmas events being most popular. The shows ran for each week ten years to this day people ask if they will ever return.
Working with Youth in theatre
In 2014 Alaine began a youth drama program at Werribee Secondary College which ran for six years. It was during this that she discovered her love of working with youth and later developed ‘Say it Out Loud’- a unique drama program that teaches creative courage and resilience through the development process of performing arts. ‘Testing Nothing’ was their first play devised in 2021 within the group and was based on the stories of the participants.
Essence Productions
Alaine as a playwright
From 2005 onwards, Alaine and her team focussed on developing new works. They now have 12 plays some award winning, all of which have been produced and/or toured. Their latest play ‘Jack and Millie’ toured regionally in Victoria and into NSW and was accepted to be on the 2022 VCE drama playlist.