Limelight Theatre Company is taking its latest production, Pony, to the Adelaide Fringe Festival. L-R: Director Bec Carta, actor Laura Gundrill, producer Brenda Spilva and comedian Joel Clapham.
Brenda Spilva is a Yarrawonga girl who grew up here, but now she’s putting her town on the national theatre map.
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Brenda isn’t performing on stage, but she’s making waves as the company director of Limelight Theatre Group and the local production heading to the Adelaide Fringe Festival.
Just one year after it was founded, Limelight has secured a major Adelaide Fringe grant to support its upcoming tour.
Brenda co-founded the company with performer Laura Gundrell, and she’s redefining what regional theatre can be.
“We’re an independent, for-profit theatre group,” Brenda said.
“We don’t have a volunteer committee, and we run to support local and regional performers, giving them opportunities they might not otherwise have through an amateur theatre company,”
Since its first performance last November, Limelight has staged four shows.
The most recent production, Pony, toured regional towns, bringing theatre to local communities.
Performances have been held at the Wilby Community Hall, Beechworth Old Stone Hall, the Yackandandah Courthouse, and Swan Pool Cinema.
“We want to bring live theatre to regional towns and support small venues,” Brenda said.
“People shouldn’t have to travel an hour or more to experience quality performances in their hometown,”
Limelight will take two shows to Adelaide as part of the festival with an Adelaide Fringe grant of $3,500 to help cover operational costs, including venue hire and travel expenses.
Alongside Pony, stand-up storytelling comedian Joel Clapham will perform his solo show Joely, Poly, Puddin and Pie.
“Joel has been to the Adelaide Fringe before, but this is a chance to showcase both a new, contemporary one-woman show and a seasoned performer, right from our local area,” Brenda said.
Limelight is a small touring company with no fixed base.
Rehearsals are held in homes or hired venues, giving the company flexibility and a unique community focus.
Brenda prioritises creating opportunities for performers, especially women, in contemporary and challenging roles.
Laura Gundrill performs in Pony, and is heading to the Adelaide Fringe Festival.
“We want to highlight talent that might be lost in larger casts,” Brenda said.
“Laura’s performance in Pony is remarkable; she portrays multiple characters with skill and nuance.”
Beyond performing, Limelight runs drama classes for young people in Yarrawonga, expanding next year to nearby towns to reach more aspiring performers.
Brenda’s goal is to nurture local talent and inspire regional communities to pursue their artistic passions.
“I grew up here and wanted opportunities like this when I was a teenager,” she said.
“Now, we can provide them for the next generation.”
Brenda Spilva’s leadership shows how regional talent can reach national stages.
With two shows scheduled at the Adelaide Fringe, Limelight is proving that small-town theatre can have big ambitions.
“You don’t have to move to a city to achieve this,” she said.
“Set your goals high, take risks, and back yourself.”
With that mindset, Limelight Theatre is showing that regional performers and venues belong on the national stage.
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