Having just returned to the office after a lengthy hiatus, Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre (The Q) artistic director/programming manager, Jordan Best, is working hard to ensure everything runs smoothly as the venue reopens.

“We’re all slowly coming back in and trying to figure out what that means,” she told Canberra Daily.

While the biggest assignment right now is preparing to launch their 2022 season at the end of November, The Q will “gently and slowly” start welcoming patrons back next month with music and wine tasting nights.

“It will be a chance for people to come in and listen to some beautiful local music and try our new house wines,” Best said.

Then, come December, a host of “incredible” local dance schools will take the stage to do their final end-of-year performances.

Looking ahead, Best holds a strong sense of optimism for The Q’s 2022 season as it, like so many performing arts venues, looks to rebuild.

More than half of the shows presented as part of The Q’s 2022 subscription season, the first Best has programmed, will be local productions.

“That’s massive for me, to have more than 50 per cent of our program is huge,” she said.

“Despite the fact we’re all feeling a bit weird at the moment, I am full of optimism for what 2022 will be.”

The season will start in February with an in-house production of comedy musical, Ruthless.

“It’s an absolute explosion of joy and humour, it will be a lot of fun, it’s just brilliant,” Best smiled.

The program will be rounded out with premium touring works for which The Q will be the only place to see them within “a very large radius”.

Music programming will be strong as always with tribute acts covering INXS, Fleetwood Mac and ABBA, through to the Australian Wind Symphony and National Capital Orchestra.

“The Q and The B (Bicentennial Hall) are just going to be full to the brim next year,” Best said. “We said something for everyone this year, but next year there’ll be something for everyone almost every night.”

The strain COVID-19 has placed on the entire arts sector has been “heartbreaking” for Best, who prior to taking the reins at The Q was an independent director and producer.

“It’s so hard getting a show ready to go on stage,” she said, “So when everything falls apart, that is heartbreaking and very difficult to recover from.”

Best stressed the importance of going out and supporting the arts in the coming months as we remerge out of a very difficult stretch.

“Get out there and support the arts that we all love so much because we’re hurting and we really need people to show their support by showing up.”

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