HotHouse Theatre and the Flying Fruit Fly Foundation will share in $103,290 — more than a quarter of the $370,000 doled out statewide for theatre projects aimed at boosting community participation in the arts.

HotHouse will use its funds to create a new original work inspired by the Murray River, called The Long Float. 

The theatre will partner with Sydney-based company Sport for Jove for the project, which will create chances for professional development for HotHouse’s actors and staff.

HotHouse general manager Tahni Froudist said the funding was a testament to the region’s support of its arts.

“For the last 40 years, we (both HotHouse and the Fruit Flies) have been creating original work right here,” she said.

“Albury-Wodonga is one of the major regional centres in Australia so it’s great to also have such cultural capital.”

An Australian playwright will also be commissioned for the play’s creative development.

Ms Froudist said the funding meant the theatre could bring professional artists to the Border, which gave young people the chance to keep learning locally instead of feeling they had to move to find new opportunities.

There is also opportunity to tour the production once completed.

The Flying Fruit Fly Foundation will use its share of funding to create a new work called Stunt Lounge, which will be aimed at teenagers and is a collaboration between the circus arts institution, the Sydney Opera House, Albury Council and Murray Arts.

Artistic director Jodie Farrugia said following performance in Albury, Sydney and Melbourne, the group planned to create a boutique version to tour regional Australia.

“This sort of funding helps us finds ways to keep our awesomely skilled young artists here, because they do tend to move away,” she said.

Albury MP Greg Aplin said the funding recognised the Border’s groups had abundant talent.

“It’s the opportunity to export the talents of our region with a wider audience,” he said.