A new queer musical

23 Oct - 9 Nov

Script, Music & Lyrics by Megan Robinson
Based on an original concept by Megan Robinson and Sarah Campbell
Arranged by Hazel Alexander

The Loading Dock Theatre

Two young women standing against a brick wall, holding hands, with stamped letters falling around them. Penpals marketing image.

Set in Australia in 1997, 'Penpals' follows the story of Callie and Pearce - two young women on opposite coasts who find a deep connection despite the distance between them.

Assigned as penpals through a school program, the two come to realise that their feelings have grown into much more than friendship. But how can they be sure that the other feels the same way?

From the tingles of first love to the inevitable gay panic and all that comes after, this new musical will have you laughing and crying as it explores the heart and heartache of young queer relationships.

Content warnings: Audiences are advised that ‘Penpals’ follows a queer coming-of-age story and contains themes of homophobia and rejection. It includes mentions of drugs and alcohol, family dysfunction, and the use of explicit language.

Group of people - the cast and team of Penpals - smiling in a theater with posters on the wall and a bed with floral bedding in the background.

Team & Crew

Producer: The Little Big Theatre Co

Creative team

Director: Sarah Campbell
Musical Director: Hazel Alexander
Key Creative: Megan Robinson 

Tech team

Stage Manager: Jemma Sproul
Tech Directors: Micah Heazlewood
& Sharelle Frazer
Lighting Programmer: Holly Nesbitt
Production Assistant: Georgia Togher 
Tech Crew: Peter Miller, Mitchell Bartie

Band

Keys: Hazel Alexander
Viola: Annabella Chen
Bass: Jae Ryder

A group of nine people - the cast of Penpals - diverse in age and ethnicity, posing outdoors on metal stairs against a stone wall in 1990's clothing. Penpals marketing photo.

Cast

Callie – Megan Robinson

Pearce – Danika Rojas

Levi – Toby Rowe

Rory – Danielle Lorzano 

Olive – Rhiannon Lidbury

Mr Jacobs – Damien Noyce

Jai – Nikolas Zielinski 

Swings:

Piper Farrell (Callie, Pearce) 

Brea Macey  (Rory, Olive)

Ethan Malacaria (Levi, Mr J, Jai) 

Two young women sitting on a bed in a room decorated with music and pop culture posters, with one handing envelopes to the other. Penpals production photo.
A young woman with dark curly hair, sitting on a bed with floral sheets, holding an envelope, in a room illuminated with purple and pink lighting. The background features paintings, posters, and a small white shelf. Penpals production photo.
Three young people sitting on the floor of a bedroom, engaged in conversation. The room has a wall covered with music and band posters. A bed with a patchwork bedspread is behind them, with a small wooden nightstand. Penpals production photo.
A young woman with curly hair, wearing a black band T-shirt and red plaid pajama pants, standing in a bedroom decorated with rock posters. She is holding a notebook and pen. The bed has a checkered blanket and a guitar. Penpals production photo.
Two people sitting on stage during a theatrical performance, one with curly hair and the other with a beard, holding a pink book, against a dark background.
A young man sitting on a stage with a dark background, holding a crumpled envelope, looking pensive or concerned. Penpals production photo.
Two young women in a bedroom with purple walls, one sitting on the carpet with a sketchbook, the other sitting on the bed with colorful pillows, surrounded by wall art and decorations. Penpals production photo.
Two women in school uniforms writing in notebooks in front of a red mailbox with the word POST, while several people face away at in dramatic lighting. Penpals production photo.
Two women sitting on a bed in a room decorated with music posters. One woman with dark hair wearing a hoodie sits at the foot of the bed, while the other cross-legged on the bed. There is a guitar leaning against the wall. Penpals production photos.
A young man sitting at a table with scattered letters and envelopes in front of him, looking down with a serious expression, while a young woman stands next to him leaning over, holding a piece of paper, and arguing with him. Penpals production photo
Woman with dark hair in a striped blazer and gray skirt speaking with arms outstretched on stage, with a woman smiling nearby. Penpals production photo.
A young woman with curly hair sits on a bed with a checkered blanket, reading a booklet in a room decorated with numerous band and concert posters on the walls. Penpals production photo.
Two women having a conversation; one with curly dark hair, wearing a striped shirt and denim overalls, appears emotional, while the other with wavy brown hair, wearing a brown sweater, holds an envelope. Penpals production photo.
Two young women sitting on a bed in a room decorated with music and concert posters. Penpals production photo.
A woman with curly dark hair, wearing a white blouse and dark skirt, stands on a bed in a room with pink and purple lighting, holding a envelope and open letter and appearing emotional while speaking. Penpals production photo.
Two young women in a bedroom decorated with music posters and photos, with one standing and the other sitting on the bed. The room has a guitar, a stack of books. Penpals production photo.
Two women in school uniforms sitting on a bench, talking and smiling, with backpacks, hats, and a book nearby, on a stage with a black background. Penpals production photo.
Two women are standing close, kissing, and holding each other's shoulders. Penpals production photo.
Three young people on a stage, with two standing and one sitting on a platform in the background. Penpals production photo.
Two teenagers sitting on black stage benches, one playing guitar, the other singing, in school uniforms. Penpals production photo.
A young woman sitting on the floor of a room decorated with music posters, with a bed, guitar, and window with blinds. Penpals production photo.
A theatrical scene with two distinct room sets and five partially visible actors. The left side features a girl's bedroom with a girl sitting on a bed covered with a plaid blanket, surrounded by posters, a guitar, and books. The right side depicts a

Special thanks

Logo of the Australian Government and the logo of Creative Australia.
Logo for ACF, Australian Cultural Fund.
Logo for The Identity Clinic featuring a stylized 'i' inside a circular gradient border.
Qtopia Sydney logo. Colourful stained glass background with a large white Q logo in the center.