Let's Shine

Let's Shine When the final curtain fell, it was realised that the production had resulted in a huge personal reward for all involved.

'Lets Shine' is a series of productions, activities, projects and workshops involving people living with a disability and ALOTCo members and collaborations with other performing groups. History
The idea of ‘Let's Shine' series was conceived over 20 years ago by the current director Janet McArtney and then Director Margaret Evans as both had a connection with people living with disabilities is via either: work, volunteering and has a family member... understood how therapeutic music is so to people living with barriers in their life. Janet teamed up with the experience of long-time director Margaret Evans (4 productions) and with the full support of the committee, co-directed the first production in ‘Let’s Shine’ in October 1998. Being a part of these wonderful productions, we have all developed a greater appreciation and understanding of living life with a disability and we have been so impressed by the hidden talents that have been discovered and by the guest stars’ enthusiasm. Since then, ALOTCo have had:
‘Let’s Shine Again - 2009
‘Let’s Shine Forever’ - 2014, which won the City of Albany Australia Day Event of the Year.
‘Let’s Shine Together’ - 2017
‘Let’s Shine Brightly’ 2019 with a new co-director Jill Larsen (as Margaret has moved to Perth)
Planned ‘Let’s Shine Always’ in late 2025 delayed due to COVID, theatre renovations and accessible upgrades.
'Lets Shine' continues to be involved in other projects outside the theatre with Carers WA (2019/20 video and book), ABC Heywire (2021 social media video about Autism Awareness) postponed.
2021 - Breaksea Festival 'View from the Magpies Nest' a collaboration with Breaksea.org whereby 'Lets Shine' members wrote, choreographed, danced and acted this production on the main stage at the Albany Entertainment Centre.
2022 - Breaksea Festival 'Seachange’ another collaboration with Breaksea.org whereby 'Lets Shine' members choreographed and danced (4 workshops) for an Open Day at the Albany Entertainment Centre. Performed at the ‘Great Southern Ability Festival’ and ‘Albany Ability Festival’
2023 - Breaksea & Maritime Festival a dance collaboration 'The Magical Weedy Seadragon' with 3 performances at the Albany Entertainment Centre. Performed at the ‘Great Southern Ability Festival’
2024 - Breaksea - ‘Side by Side’, a dance collaboration 'Constellations' a 4 min dance as part of’ Thunderstorm (Malkar) ‘with performances in July on the main stage at the Albany Entertainment Centre.
2025 - Breaksea collaboration in June

Congratulations to Let's Shine perfomer Naomi Lake, author of ‘View From The Magpie's Nest ‘ which was Lets Shines’ very...
16/09/2025

Congratulations to Let's Shine perfomer Naomi Lake, author of ‘View From The Magpie's Nest ‘ which was Lets Shines’ very first dance collaboration with breaksea.org in 2021. Naomi’s story has been published in ‘All of Our Selves’ which is a compelling anthology by emerging writers across Western Australia

A new dance work in 6 parts, enjoy the story of a young magpie across 12 months living at Middleton Beach. “As the sun rises over Middleton Beach, the morning warble of the magpies can be heard. High above the ground, in the branch of a Norfolk Pine, sits a lonely, young magpie. She is searching for a mate and dreaming of a family of her own”

Story by ~ Naomi Lake (mentored by Dianne Wolfer}
Music by ~ Jonathan Brain
Choreography ~ Emily O’Brien (mentored by Rita Bush)
Performed by the Let’s Shine (ALOTCo) all-ability performers.

The book can be purchased from:
https://centreforstories.com/product/all-of-our-selves/

Let's Shine dancers are even more excited as past Albany Light Opera & Theatre Company perfomer Evan Ayres Music as The ...
14/09/2025

Let's Shine dancers are even more excited as past Albany Light Opera & Theatre Company perfomer Evan Ayres Music as The Beast in 'Beauty and the Beast' and leader of 'Evan Ayres and the Swings Kings' who had 6 sellout shows at the 'Albany Port Theatre'; also performed in 'Lets Shine Brightly' in 2019 (as Elvis) is writing the music to the line dancing video that they and all of Albany can dance to and be up on the big screen for New Years Eve at ANZAC Park.
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/17KXyAgNh3/
Thankyou breaksea.org https://www.breaksea.org/breaksealinedancing

JOIN US IN FILMING A MUSIC VIDEO!

Join in Albany’s largest community line dance and feature in a music video to be screened at the City of Albany New Year’s Eve 2025 event in ANZAC Peace Park. The easy and fun dance will be choreographed by a team of local dance leaders led by Annette Carmichael and is a great way to mark the start of Albany 2026.

📅 Saturday 25 Oct 2025
⏰ 3:30pm
📍 Albany Entertainment Centre
💃 Easy + fun choreography

Read more and register at breaksea.org/breaksealinedancing

Lets Shine Co-ordinator Janet and attendees of last nights 'Art after Dark' showed a sneak preview of the amazing events...
12/09/2025

Lets Shine Co-ordinator Janet and attendees of last nights 'Art after Dark' showed a sneak preview of the amazing events for 2026.
One of the presentations was by Annette Carmichael from breaksea.org showing the line dance that will be featured in the New Years Eve film extravaganza that will be a ANZAC Peace Park featuring groups, individuals and especially the 'Lets Shine' dancers. The 'Lets Shine' 5 wk workshops learning these steps and then culminating in the filming at the Albany Port Theatre especially for our performers.
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1BD2iTtyoM/

ART AFTER DARK - NEXT THURSDAY … Have you rsvp yet?
Thursday 11 September 2025 | Vancouver Arts Centre

At this month’s Art After Dark, the City of Albany’s 2026 Team will share an overview of the exciting arts and cultural experiences planned for Albany’s landmark 2026 program — a year of events reflecting on our past, celebrating our community today, and shaping our shared future. You’ll hear about the Major Events and community-led initiatives that will bring our city to life in 2026, from immersive exhibitions and performances to storytelling, workshops, and creative projects that celebrate diverse perspectives, advance reconciliation, and preserve Albany’s rich heritage.

Local artists and creatives delivering these community-led activations will also join us to share the stories and inspiration behind their projects. Supported by Lotterywest, the Albany 2026 program puts the community at the heart of this historic milestone, fostering shared cultural expression, intergenerational dialogue, and a vibrant, inclusive future for our region.

Date: Thursday 11 September
Time: 5-8pm
Free, you must register - here https://albany-events.bookable.net.au/ #!/event-detail/AAD2025-September
Location: Vancouver Arts Centre, 85 Vancouver Street

Let’s Shine Meet n Greet went really well, lots of faces we knew, 1 we didn’t and a few didn’t make it today. That’s ok ...
05/09/2025

Let’s Shine Meet n Greet went really well, lots of faces we knew, 1 we didn’t and a few didn’t make it today.
That’s ok can catchup, 1st rehearsal in 2 wks.
Great to watch our past productions.
Thanks Breaksea.org for providing us Jess to teach us the choreography.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1FbwjEhM4p/
03/05/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1FbwjEhM4p/

Congratulations Emily O'Brien who started with ALOTCO's Let's Shine All-Abilities performing group.

The Puzzle Piece Project - Emily recieved a Next Level 2025 Fellowship grant for the Great Southern from Regional Arts WA.
The Girl with the Colourful Mind is a dance work by Emily exploring autism, mental health, and self-acceptance. This fellowship will expand its production, supported by Assembly 197 and DADAA, with mentorship from Jessica Ruggera and Annette Carmichael Projects. The theme: It's OK not to be OK.
Here a snippit from last nights GWN news
See briefly - https://7plus.com.au/7news-regional-wa?episode-id=7GWN25-088&autoplay=true

Congratulations EmilyThe Puzzle Piece Project So it's been a while, everyone. But we have something to announce.We have ...
01/05/2025

Congratulations Emily

The Puzzle Piece Project

So it's been a while, everyone. But we have something to announce.
We have received a Next Level Fellowship grant from Regional Arts WA to do a second (and final) development for The Girl with the Colourful Mind!!!
WOO!!!
So we will try to post as much as we can and we hope that you guys are as excited as we are!
Thank you again to Regional Arts WA, Annette Carmichael and Jessica Hesford for this opportunity. I can wait to get started!
- Emily O'Brien and Jessica Hesford

Receiving the Next Level 2025 Fellowship grants are:

Emily O'Brien - Great Southern
Laura Sykes - South West
Karrak Gregory - South West.
The Girl with the Colourful Mind is a dance work by Emily O'Brien exploring autism, mental health, and self-acceptance. This fellowship will expand its production, supported by Assembly 197 and DADAA, with mentorship from Jessica Ruggera and Annette Carmichael. The theme: It's OK not to be OK.
https://www.facebook.com/share/1FVJ1EFwfk/

Three young and emerging regional Western Australian creative professionals have been offered grants of $8,000 through the Next Level 2025 Fellowship program that will support creative activity and professional development for one year.

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256 Princess Royal Drive.
Albany, WA
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Let’s Shine

The idea of ‘Let's Shine' series was conceived over 20 years ago by the current director Janet McArtney as her connection with people living with disabilities is via: work, volunteering and has a family member... understood how therapeutic music is so to people living with barriers in their life. She teamed up with the experience of long-time director Margaret Evans (4 productions) and with the full support of the committee, co-directed the first production in ‘Let’s Shine’ in October 1998. When the final curtain fell, it was realised that the production had resulted in a huge personal reward for all involved.

Being a part of these wonderful productions, we have all developed a greater appreciation and understanding of living life with a disability and we have been so impressed by the hidden talents that have been discovered and by the guest stars’ enthusiasm.

Since then ALOTCo have had:

‘Let’s Shine Again - 2009