Horizon Power has launched a two-year partnership with Barking Gecko Arts to improve live theatre accessibility in regional Western Australia, specifically targeting areas like Exmouth, Karratha, and Esperance.

This collaboration includes a significant investment of $100,000 from Horizon Power to fund theatre productions and creative learning programs aimed at children in these regions.

The funding is part of Horizon Power’s Community Partnerships Program, which dedicates $1.1 million annually to support initiatives in remote and regional communities.

Barking Gecko's initiative aims to engage over 2,000 children and create job opportunities for 25 regional artists and workers.

As part of this initiative, the production 'Reasons to Stay Inside' is set to visit Exmouth and Karratha later this year, focusing on primary school students in Years 3 to 6.

The play explores important themes such as friendship, anxiety, and mental health resilience, telling the story of a boy navigating his anxiety through creativity.

Ryan Taaffe, chief executive of Barking Gecko, emphasized that live theatre plays a crucial role in nurturing creativity, empathy, and emotional intelligence among children.

Stephanie Unwin, chief executive of Horizon Power, underscored the importance of providing arts opportunities to students in regional areas, ensuring they have access to live theatre experiences.