Powering imaginations in regional WA with Barking Gecko

May 20 2025

Thanks to a $100,000, two-year Horizon Power Community Partnership, Barking Gecko Arts will bring world-class theatre productions and creative learning programs to school-aged children across regional Western Australia with their ‘Powering Imaginations’ initiative.

Visiting the regional towns of Exmouth, Karratha and Esperance in 2025 and 2026, Barking Gecko’s theatre shows are set to bring vibrancy, support children's well-being and build resilience through meaningful engagement with the arts.

The touring program will include two powerful productions. "Hoods," recommended for secondary students in Years 9-12, will tour the Red Earth Arts Precinct in Karratha on 19 June and Esperance Civic Centre on 25 June, providing thought-provoking theatre designed for teenage audiences.

Later in the year, "Reasons to Stay Inside" will visit Karratha and the Ningaloo Centre in Exmouth. This heartwarming production, recommended for primary students in Years 3-6, explores themes of friendship, anxiety, and the power of imagination. In Karratha, performances will be held on 30 and 31 October and in Exmouth on 5 November.

Over the two-year term, Barking Gecko anticipates the touring program will reach over 2,000 children and their families while employing 25 regional artists and arts workers, creating cultural and economic benefits for these communities.

Chief Executive Officer, Stephanie Unwin, said Horizon Power was committed to supporting regional and remote communities and proud of the strong relationships it has with its community partners.

“It’s fantastic that Barking Gecko can continue to expand their program across regional WA, so that more students have the chance to experience the excitement of their live theatre shows. We are proud to support this initiative and work together to bring the arts to an ever-increasing audience across the regions. We hope exposure to these performances will encourage creativity and foster a meaningful connection with the arts,” she said.

Horizon Power’s Community Partnerships Program, on behalf of the State Government, provides $1.1 million each financial year to community initiatives and events that positively impact remote and regional communities. 

To find out more about the Community Partnerships program, visit: www.horizonpower.com.au/partnerships