Blending storytelling, song, and live music, GRIT explores the resilience of six fictional characters, all living in the same regional town “somewhere” in Queensland. After a statewide tour, this show will arrive this month in the Noosa Hinterland before touring to Brisbane.
Drawing inspiration from real-life stories, GRIT has emerged from months of research, creative development, and rehearsals. More than 30 interviews were conducted with artists, mothers, doctors, engineers, farmers, veterans, pensioners – people from all walks of life who have faced adversity. Their reflections on courage and perseverance have shaped this original and uplifting theatre experience.
Perseverance Street Theatre Company CEO Sharon Hogan said: “Our obsession with resilience and tenacity in our region really took hold in 2022 – perhaps influenced by the record-breaking destructive floods. We wanted to understand what gives people the strength to rise again, and that’s where the idea for GRIT was born.”
Founded in Gympie, Perseverance Street Theatre Company is dedicated to creating new Australian performances, championing regional voices, and fostering opportunities for young and emerging artists. The production features a talented cast of five, including actor, Fletcher Colfs, who will take on the challenge of playing all six characters. Acclaimed jazz vocalist Sarah Briggs-Harvey will bring her rich musical expertise to the stage. Having transitioned from teaching and performing internationally, Sarah has collaborated with Perseverance Street to develop the production’s unique blend of heartfelt storytelling and music.
“This ‘ground-up’ approach to theatre has resulted in a production filled with truly moving and authentic stories,” Sarah said. “I’m so proud to be a part of GRIT.”
Playwright Sofia Abbey, a UniSC drama graduate and Honours student in Creative Writing, emphasized the play’s deeper purpose.
“GRIT is about connection – it reminds us that we are not alone in this unpredictable and often chaotic human experience. It invites us to listen, understand, and celebrate different perspectives,” she said.
GRIT is more than just a performance – it’s a celebration of the strength found in community, music, and storytelling.
GRIT will be performed at Cooran Memorial Hall on Sunday 23 March at 2pm.
Tickets at Humanitix at events.humanitix.com/copy-of-grit-the-stories-the-music-the-town
