FEATURE:
Alpha Touring Finished for 2005!
160 shows and over 40,000 children, and only 2 years since we started this crazy adventure. We finished up yesterday performing Hunchback for a very special church group in Essendon, where we said thank you to the cast on stage and performed an encore of Reach, something we've never been asked to do before. I think the audience was with us as we celebrated a big year for the company. We're looking forward to an even bigger year next year, Beauty and the Beast is starting much earlier in February (as well as some January shows) and hopefully we can be touring non-stop with all 4 shows.
Some reflections on the year:
Mark Sipple (or Zippel!), pictured right, who has performed over 150 shows with Alpha, yesterday said goodbye to the Jester and Headless Harry. Next year he is heading back to university to study business, and will most likely not be able to tour with Alpha again, at least for a long time. Mark has been a special part of 3 Alpha tours and will be missed.
Federation Square had Sleeping Beauty this year, their first 'try' of an Alpha show. For all concerned it was a wonderful experience and totally rocked, playing to full houses on the day we actually publicised (the 2nd day we were filling in for another group who cancelled). We'll be back at Fed Square for Beauty and the Beast this January 18-21, so we hope to see you back there for another great show that is open free to the public!
Laura Cooney has continued her role as Creative Director, and also starred and directed in the new show this year, Sleeping Beauty. She also re-directed both of our other shows this year. 
Alpha toured interstate for the very first time last week, taking Hunchback to Adelaide. A special thank you to Alex Patten from St Columba in Andrews Farm who helped organise other schools to have us as well. We'll be returning to Adelaide in March 2006 and we can't wait, it's a phenomenal town and the reception we received was of rock-concert like energy - thank you Adelaide! Next year we'll also be heading to Canberra and wherever else will have us!
For whatever reason, something started to click for us in the second half of 2005, everyone started to see and understand and experience what this is all about. Highlights this year:
- Rosa from Findon, thank you for the gift of a new Sleeping Beauty table!
- Fun4Kids - always a highlight!
- Donald PS Evening show, workshop with students and feedback - thanks Jenny!
- Peninsula School, always a highlight (the recording of the ending on the website is from this school!)
- Ararat PAC - first booking from a theatre. Thanks Rod!
- Nexus Arts Beauty and the Beast tour - thanks Sue!
- Wonthaggi PS Feedback, thanks Graeme!
- Paynesville - what a lovely area to stay in.
- Ilim College - our first Islamic school. The love and generosity was warmly received from all at this lovely school.
- Langwarrin Park. After a rocky start, it was great to perform for this large local school, thanks Keith!
- Darebin, Gasworks and Regent Theatre Yarram - thanks for a great public season in September!
- St Helena - an evening show for a Kindergarten and families. What a great event.
- Karingal Heights and Michael - thanks mate!
- Lynbrook - a new school with a very old friend as a teacher, hi Miss Smyth!
- Derinya - our first time at my old Primary School. The energy was amazing, 600 in one show and the school spirit was the highest I've ever seen. Amazing.
- Horsham - your whole town rocks! 298, West Haven and St Michael & St John's.
- Adelaide - thank you!
- Real Life Christian Church - thanks for taking a chance on us, it was an awesome experience.
- All the rebookings from our very special loyal clients - thank you so much!
 A big thank you to the various 2005 cast members who have made our touring life fun, interesting, crazy and heart-warming. Anne-Marie Brownhill (pictured as Belle, above), Alex Emeljanow, Luke Hines (pictured above with the van), Nathan Hunt, Mark Sipple (pictured as Jester), Laura Cooney, Ben Jackson (pictured with children asking for autographs), Laura Wilson, Chris Bishop, Nick Bennett, Adrian Dart and Shireen Morris (pictured left with Mark as Jester)...you've been amazing, thank you for helping us bring real, quality theatre to Australia - your talent, professionalism and hard work are appreciated.
And finally, a big thank you to the children and the people who booked us. We are just doing our best to bring theatre that people can get excited about, to create more involvement in something that is special, and to provide some learning opportunities through values and other cool stuff. Thank you to all those who rebooked for 2006 and can see the value in what we're doing. We can't wait to see you all again for 2006!
Below, pictured from the left, Luke Hines, Alex Emeljanow, Laura Cooney, Ben Jackson, Nathan Hunt and Mark Sipple, at the Darebin Arts Centre after our 2 shows there.
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