Echuca Musical Theatre Company provides a judgment-free space to perform and be yourself. Photo: Supplied.
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Echuca-Moama is a thriving community that is only growing. One of the many reasons people love the region is the multitude of groups they can be a part of.
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To help you find the right group, check out our ‘Why not join...’ series each week, where we focus on a community group.
In today’s edition, Emily Donohoe speaks to Echuca Moama Theatre Company.
2025 will mark the 50th year of Echuca Moama Theatre Company, with big celebrations, including a not-to-miss performance of Mamma Mia, on the cards for the group.
For president Darcy Elliott, EMTC is more than just a space to sing, dance and act, but a place to call home.
He also believes it is an environment where you can truly be yourself.
“It’s a weird place where weird people to do weird things,” he said.
“It’s just one of those places where you find your people because we’re all sort of wired a little bit the same way and have all of those crazy ideas.
“Stuff that maybe sometimes people say, ‘you can’t do that’, at theatre you can just do it, be yourself and no-one looks at you any different because they’re like, ‘hey, they’re just as crazy as me!’.”
Mr Elliott first got involved with the group at the beginning of high school, starring in his first musical, Oliver!, and immediately finding his passion.
Working under the mentorship of EMTC royalty, the late Paul Denham, Mr Elliott knew he was in the right place.
“I started with EMTC when I was 14,” he said.
“If you speak to anyone that’s ever been involved at EMTC or seen shows, Paul was just a master at what he did on-stage and off-stage for the theatre company and for theatre in general.
“At that time, I probably didn’t understand the enormity of who Paul was in that space.”
From there, Mr Elliott has gone on to star in multiple EMTC and other local theatre productions, as well as teach performing arts at iDance Echuca.
He got involved in the committee a few years ago, overseeing the organisation as it grew to the place it is now.
“We almost did a complete 360 and built a strong committee of like-minded people,” Mr Elliott said.
“Now where we are, we’re able to put on massive productions at the Paramount, and we’re able to take risks and offer a really good organisation.
“Anyone who knows me and talks to me knows how much I love the theatre company.”
EMTC president Darcy Elliott as Sergeant Unwin and Alisha Beavis as Gertie Hogan for Disorderly and Defiant. Photo: Supplied.
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Each year, EMTC aims to put on a senior production, junior production and a play.
“Mamma Mia next year is going to be a massive show,” Mr Elliott said.
“It’s very fitting to do a show that many people will know the music from, they’ll come out and be able to have a sing and get involved with it all.”
The group always welcomes new members and is encouraging those interested in Mamma Mia, whether on the stage or behind the scenes, to audition on January 17 or 18.
Being a large production, there are many opportunities to be involved.
“If anyone is thinking about it or they’re unsure ... don’t be scared, come along, meet the people in the theatre company and you’ll be happy that you did,” Mr Elliott said.
“I’m sure that you’ll join the family and all the craziness and all the fun that we have and get a lot of enjoyment out of it.”
To reach out to Echuca Moama Theatre Company, contact the group at info@emtc.org.auor through its social media channels, including Facebook and Instagram.
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