Drama Stars take everyone to Funky Town

There was movin’, groovin’ and plenty of energy when the genU Drama Stars took the stage for their latest performance, Funky Town.

In front of a packed house at genU’s office in Little Ryrie Street, Geelong, Victoria, the Drama Stars held another memorable show, maintaining their reputation for high-quality entertainment.

Every cast member seized the spotlight – in full voice, on the piano, waving streamers, shredding the guitar, dancing to tunes, and engaging the audience.

It was a diverse one-hour performance, which left everyone talkin’ about, talkin’ about, talkin’ about, talkin’ bout it.

Who are the Drama Stars?

genU Drama Stars program provides a supportive and inclusive environment for participants to build confidence, express creativity, and develop social and communication skills.

The program encourages collaboration, celebrates individuality, and creates a strong sense of belonging.

Whether participants love being the star of the show or want to take more of a behind-the-scenes role, there is something for everyone to be part of in putting on a show.

Everyone is supported to grow and succeed and share their unique story through their artistic talents.

Journey to Funky Town

In a team effort, the group developed the Funky Town concept collaboratively.

Drawing inspiration from our Drama Stars logo – a very fitting shining star – and much-loved characters from the Shrek films, the team created a playful, magical world full of rhythm and heart.

In choosing their character, each Drama Star participant reflected their interests and personalities.

It was an inclusive process and team-driven, allowing everyone to use their voice to help shape the story.

This collective approach fostered creativity, decision-making, and a strong sense of ownership among the cast towards the performance.

Pre-show jitters are common for most performers but cast members pushed aside any nerves and came to life under the spotlight.

With all the hard work of practice and preparation behind them, it’s on stage the Drama Stars thrive, drawing energy from the excitement of a live performance.

Take a bow!

Performing for a packed audience of family, friends, and community members brings them great joy, and the applause and positive feedback mean a great deal to each of them.

They often describe feeling proud, confident, and like true stars.

genU CEO Clare Amies was among the audience and couldn’t help being caught up in the infectious positivity.

“The show had everything; the Drama Stars set such a high bar every time they take the stage,” she said.

“Every performance is always a treat – it’s more than a showcase of talent, it’s a showcase of how people will shine when they are doing something they love with friends, in front of their community.

“Creating safe and supportive environments for people to reach their potential and lead enriched lives is at the heart of what we do every day to make a meaningful impact.”

Collective thanks from the Funky Town stars!

genU Drama Stars would like to extend their sincere thanks to everyone who helped bring Funky Town to life.

A special thank you to Corina, a dedicated volunteer who assisted with Auslan (sign language) interpretation during our songs, helping make our performance more inclusive and accessible for all.

We also want to acknowledge our corporate volunteers, who joined in enthusiastically to help paint props and sets. It was an invaluable contribution and added a vibrant touch to the production.

Working alongside volunteers strengthens our connection to the community and promotes inclusion, collaboration, and mutual respect. We are incredibly grateful for their time, energy, and support.

Funky Town cast members: