Balter Theatre Co.

28/01/2019

Frankie is currently studying at a film school in New York. Watch this page for exciting future projects! In the meantime, Hypnagogism is available in print - order from the Balter website. If you are an acting student, contact us for a free link to the pdf of the book.

24/05/2018

Hypnagogism: A Satirical Tragicomedy That Slips in and Out of Surrealism, Exploring Drama School and Mental Health, published in 2018 by Balter Press.

"Frankie uses the stage with commendable imagination." - Suzy Wrong, Suzy Goes See.

DRAMA STUDENTS: Please email hypnagogism@gmail.com with evidence of your enrolment and we will get you access to the play.

Hypnagogism was first staged by Balter Theatre Co. at The Factory Theatre (Fusebox) in Sydney on 4 October 2017 with the following cast:

MICHELLE Bretany Amber
RABBIT / JANE / NINJA / 101 Brielle Flynn
/ LAURA / STUDENT A
MITCH / CIGARETTE / GURU Daniel D’Amico
/ STUDENT B
TOBY Vonne Patiag
TARYN / DANI Tivy Siripanich
STEPHANIE / PSYCHIC SUE Kate Allison
DARREN Ash Sakha
JAMIE / BRET Lachlan McNab

Writer/Co-Director/Co-Producer: Frankie
Co-Director/Sound Designer: Luke Beattie
Co-Producer: Margaret Grove
Lighting Designer: Chloe Stafford

Videography by Peter Tsui @ Studio Kai

Special thanks to Dr Mark Seton

23/05/2018

Congratulations Frankie, you are now a published author!

If you enjoyed the play, please leave a review :)

4F, 4MDRAMA SCHOOL: FREUD OR FRAUD? New Aussie play HYPNAGOGISM gives voice to traumatised actors. Come along for an insider's perspective on the strange and confusing journey that is drama school, where the line between fantasy and reality is blurred, the pain is real, and the guru is always right....

14/05/2018

Come and party with Frankie and her box of books this weekend :)

HYPNAGOGISM: Book Launch Posted on 14/05/2018 by admin Hypnagogism is a satirical tragicomedy about drama school and mental health, written by a drama school dropout. Hosted by two of the original cast members, the Book Launch will be held in Sydney’s Inner West. Tickets: N/A When: Sunday 20 May @...

08/10/2017

"Playing Michelle is the confident Bretany Amber, one of an impressively well-rehearsed and cohesive team of young talents. Flamboyant actors Brielle Flynn and Daniel d’Amico are memorable in comedic roles, both bringing exuberance and excellent entertainment value."

Michelle goes to acting school everyday, where teachers tell her to dig deep for emotions worthy of display. Trauma is fetishised, but little care is given to the young students.

12/04/2017

Please enjoy our new website ;)

Hey look! Shiny new plays! Shiny, sparkly, glistening new plays that are new and also are plays that are new. Did we mention the newness of our plays?

08/03/2017

“Only at drama school."

Hypnagogism
noun | hyp·na·gog·ism | hɪpnəgɑgɪzm
the philosophy that the experiential is absolute
truth, the real and surreal are interchangeable.

Come along for an insider’s perspective on the strange and confusing journey that is drama school, where the line between fantasy and reality is blurred, the pain is real, and the guru is always right.

We follow drama student Michelle as she enters a nonsensical world filled with bizarre characters. A rabbit, a failed fortune teller, a scumbag cigarette who only lives for seven minutes, a child’s drawing of outer space who is utterly convinced she is an entire universe, and a guru who remains hidden behind a curtain, as he is a celebrity, and students would be star struck if they could see his face.

While negotiating her way through the madness of the school, the interpersonal struggles of forced intimacy amongst the young students leave Michelle hypervigilant, and she clings to information for dear life. In an institution where pain is glorified and delusions are praised, can she make it out with her mental health intact?

MITCH: It’s the breastplate; I’m almost dead.

TARYN: What?

MITCH: I said it’s the best play I’ve ever read.

More details to come :)

19/09/2016

Finally, the review of Boots & Straps & Immortal Saps you've all been waiting for!

http://baltertheatre.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Giving-the-Boot-to-Existentialism.pdf

03/08/2016

Cast and crew of 'Boots & Straps & Immortal Saps'.

Photo credit: Peter Tsui At StudioKai

01/08/2016

Thank you to everyone who made it to 'Boots & Straps & Immortal Saps'. We're pleased that our audience found the show both entertaining and somewhat meaningful. It's been a pleasure hearing you laugh.

Congratulations to the team for pulling the show together; it was a collaborative effort and everyone involved brought valuable ideas to the table.

Special thanks to:

Brodie Sexton-Clark for bringing a wonderful directorial eye to the project, and also for script consultations and providing insights to story structure. The show wouldn't have been what it was without you.

Harley Williams for bringing professionalism and enthusiasm to the group; we are overwhelmed by the effort and thought put into everything you do; you're a pro and we were lucky to have you as our stage manager.

Neil Sun Hyland for striving to understand the story, asking lots of questions, and for applying your understandings to the formation of ideas throughout the process. You're a talented artist and it was a pleasure working with you.

Margaret Grove for being super organised and supportive and helping make the show happen.

Peter Tsui At StudioKai for filming the show and for bringing a wonderful energy to the work you do; can't wait to see the hilarious photos you took of the cast and crew.

Gavin Christensen for being an awesome illustrator.

And last but not least, Margaret and Geoff Grove for sponsoring the show :)