NIDA

NIDA is inviting children and young people on a journey of creative exploration over the spring holidays with performing arts classes designed to excite and inspire.
From September 25 - October 8. 2017, NIDA Open will be running its popular short courses ar NIDA Melbourne and Wesley college with introductory to advanced classes in everything from musical theatre and drama classes to writing for theatre and TV presenting.
Discover your inner actor, learn how to write for performance, venture into new worlds, or find the creative path that you've been searching for. School holidays are made for new and exciting experiences, as well as the furthering of personal interests, but, above all, they are made for fun!
NIDA Open's spring holiday classes offer all that and much more.
With credentials in theatre, TV and film, NIDA Open tutors deliver inspiring experiences with ervery class, for the varied artistic interest and skills of students.
Book for weeeks before class commencement date to receive a 10% earlybird discount. Whether you're looking to become a star of the stage or just have an interest in expressing yourself creatively, NIDA Open can deliver you an enriching and exciting school holiday experience.
For more information on NIDA Open spring courses go to nida.edu.au/spring

About NIDA Open
Delivering prgrams across Australia, NIDA Open gives people of all ages and experiences the chance to benefit from NIDA's world-renowned training methods and explore their own creativity through short courses, holiday classes and intensive pert-time studio courses.
Som of NIDA Open's spring holiday courses in Melbourne.
NIDA Drama School:
October 2- 6. 2017 Age: Gredes 3 - 10. Time: 10 am - 5 pm. Price $800 inc GST.
Venue: Wesley college Melbourne
What: A comprehensive course for committed young people. Developing skills including imnptovisation, voice and singing, move,ent and dance, devising and acting to camera. The program includes a session on auditions and screen tests. Perform scenes at the end of the course for family and friends.

NIDA ACTING 101.
Date October 2 - 6. 2017. Age Grades 11 - 12. time: 10am - 5pm. Price $600 inc GST.
Location. Wesley College Melbourne.
What: sharpen your performance skills through a comrehensive workshop with a theatre practitioner drawing on NIDA acting techniques. Develop key principles of actor training, and extend into characterisation and scenework, interpret, rehearse and present some of the most exciting writing produced for young people today.

ACTING BOOT CAMP:
DateL October 7 - 8. 2017. Age Grades 3 - 10. Time 10 am - 5 pm. Price: $325 inc. GST
Location: Wesley college Melbourne.
What: Identify and experience the essentials of screen acting,. Build your on screen confidance as you develop skills in improvisation, character development ansd scenework. Perform scenes for family and friends at the end of the course.

SCREEN ACTING BOOT CAMP:
Date: September 30 - October 1. 2017 Age: Grades 3 - 12. time 10 am - 5pm. Price $325 inc GST.
Location: Wesley College Melbourne.
What: Identify and experience the essentials of screen acting. Build your screen confidnece as you develop skills in improvisation, character development and script work. Rehearse and prewsent live and recorded scenes for family and friends at the end of the course.

MUSICAL THEATRE BOOT CAMP.
Date September 30 - October 1. 2017 Age Grades 7 - 10. time 10 am - 5 pm. Price: $325 inc. GST.
ocation: Wesley college Melbourne
What: Work with a NIDA musical theatre expert to create a short song and sory presentation for stage! This is a great wa to introduce yourself to the magic of musical theatre and find out just what it takes to become a musical theatre star! Presnet your song and story presentation to family and friends at the end of the course.

HITTING YOUR MARK: SCREEN ACTING:
Date: September 25 - 28. 2017. Age Grades 7 - 10. time: 10 am - 5 pm. Price $500 inc. GST
Location: Wesley College Melbourne.
What: Whether you're in Home and Away or The Avengers, one of the most important skills is being able to "hit your mark' It can also be the hardest to master. Develop the technical ability to be on target, scene after scene, with this intensive screen workshop. Explore working with scripts from television and film, acting in high stakes situations while maintaning the ability to master positions and props with precision.

MUSICAL THEATRE 101:
Date: September 25 - 29. 2017. age: Drades 11 0 12. Time 10 am - 5 pm. Price: $500 inc GST.
Location: NIDA Melbourne. Southnbank.
What: Designed for those passionate about musical theatre, learn songs, choreograohed dance routines and spply NIDA acting principles in an energised approach to all things musical theatre. Be guided in a reliable approach to song and dance routines and examine what it means to complete a show stopping mudical theatre audition!

LEAGUE OF NIDA SUPERHEROES"
Date: September 25 - 26. 2017. Age. Grades k 2. Time 10 am - 4 pm. Price: $265 inc GST.
Location: Wesley College Melbourne.
What: Discover incredible new powers as you create your own superhero to join the NIDA League in its battle against evil. Come to the rescue in front of the family and frieds as you perform in action-packed scenes at the end of the course.

TV PRESENTING 101
Date September 30 - October 1. 2017 Age Grades 11 12. Time 10 am - 5 pm. Price $325 inc GST
lLcation: NIDA Melbourne Southbank.
What: Build vocal and physical presence as you explore interview techniques and present lifestyle pieces to camera. Developm your on screen persona in this practical exploration of TV presenting.

WRITING FOR THE STGE 101.
Date October 2 - 6. 2017. Age Grades 11 - 12. time 10 am-5 pm.Price $600 inc GST.
Location NIDA Melbourne Southbak.
What: Discover the craft of writing for the theatre. build your ability to use strcture, style and narrative. Create the beginnings of an original wotk that resonates with our audience.

QTC Award

Opera Australia - new Patron in Chief.

Internationally recognised philanthropist and passionate oper lover, Dr Harusha Handa, Chairman of the International Foundation for Arts and Culture has been announced as Opera Australia's new Patron in Chief.
The announcement follows Dr Handa's increasing commitment to Australia's national opera company with a significent contribution over the next three years, with an option for another three through hid International Foundation for Arts and Culture.(FAC).
Opera Australia's Chairman David Mortime AO warmly welcomed Dr Handas generous sonation and his commitment to the art form and the artists in particular the young artists who will take opera into the future.
"Dr Handa's dedication to arts and culture in australia, his love of music and hands0on approach to his philanthropic ventures is truly valued by Opera Australia and we look forward to a very long and productive partnership.
In Sydney to accept the appointment on behalf of Dr Handa, former NZ Prime Minister and IFAC Patron Sir John Key said the partnership between Opera australia and IFAC has always been strong.
"Both organisations are acutely aware of the importance of the artistic legacy in opra, yet have the courage to explore new realms of the art for its growth and development with times. Ww are proud of the success we have enjoyed through the Hansa Opera on Sydney harbour for the last six years and are excited about what cha be done together through our new and expanded level of partnership in the fuure," said Sir John.
Dr Handa has been quoted as saying "music has the power to transform human hearts and minds, to draw us inward and upward to our better selves." A phiosophy shared by Opera Australia's Artistic Sirector Lyndon Terracini who has come to know the philanthropist and businessman well.
"We very much have a shared vision, and our collaborations have already proved incredibly succesful for Opera Australia, particularly with the Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour series tghat has cemented its place as one of ht eworld's greatest outfdoor opera events.
This new partnership and the appointment of Dr Handa to Patron in Chief will encompass the ongoing commitment to Hnada OPera on Sydney Harbour from 2018 to 2020 along with other noteworthy patronages that will be announced in due course through the 2018 and 2018 seasons," said Mr Terracini.

Patrick Nolan to take OperaQ reins as new Artistic Director

Award winning Australian director Patrick Nolan has been appointed as the new Artistic Director of Opera Queensland and will relocate to Brisbane to commence on 1 November.
Mr Nolan is a prolific director of opera, theatre, physical theatre and large-scale outdoor events, as well as the former Artistic Director of internationally acclaimed company Legs On The Wall.
 In a career spanning nearly three decades, he has directed for many of Australia’s major performing arts companies and internationally for Seattle and New Zealand Opera.

Mr Nolan has created work for every major city festival in Australia, including the Helpmann Award winning Kura Tungar-Songs from the River with Archie Roach and Ruby Hunter and the Australian Art Orchestra for Melbourne Festival and A Flowering Tree by John Adams for Perth Festival.  The new Australian opera he created with Paul Grabowsky and Joanna Murray-Smith, Love in the Age of Therapy, for Opera Australia, Melbourne Festival and Sydney Festival was also Helpmann nominated.As Artistic Director of Legs On The Wall, Mr Nolan transformed the company’s artistic program and financial viability, establishing it as one of the country’s busiest cultural exports.  During his five-years at Legs On The Wall, revenue increased 75 per cent and eight new productions toured far and wide, attracting audiences of more than 50,000 in Australia, Asia, UK and Latin America.  In 2015 he was awarded a prestigious Australia Council Fellowship to research the creation of performance in public spaces. He serves on the Sydney Chamber Opera board, a role that fuels his passion for new opera. Dr Sally Pitkin, Chair, Opera Queensland, said Mr Nolan’s multidisciplinary creative works ranging from baroque to contemporary opera, large scale events, and physical theatre, together with his commitment to collaboration and community engagement, made him the clear choice to lead the company. “As Artistic Director Patrick will be an extraordinary contributor to the Queensland arts community and the national cultural landscape. We are excited by his vision for the company, his passion for opera and his deep commitment to engaging all communities in Queensland with this vibrant artform. All of this together with his understanding of new audiences and how to engage them in spaces from the most intimate venue to the largest public arena, to new digital channels, made him the standout candidate.”
 Mr Nolan said opera’s combination of story, staging and song creates a multi-dimensional space in which we can feel our humanity.
 “As the new Artistic Director of OperaQ I want this space to be alive to the time we are living in and open to audiences of all ages and walks of life. I’m excited about working with local and international artists, in Brisbane and throughout regional Queensland, to create work that will allow us to experience opera as an artform that responds to the energy and diversity of the contemporary world - a world that is passionate, intense, tragic, joyous, complex, humane. I can’t wait to start the conversation.”
 OperaQ’s current Artistic Director Lindy Hume welcomed Mr Nolan’s appointment.
 “Patrick Nolan is a splendid choice to be the next Artistic Director of Opera Queensland. His directorial skills and reputation as an arts leader and opera, theatre and events director of international stature are ideal credentials and skills to lead our company, and this extraordinary artform, into the future. I look forward to celebrating the company’s progress under his artistic leadership in the years to come.”  

Lindy Hume will finish her term as artistic leader at the end of October.
 

The Young King

Slingsby's critically-acclaimed production of The Young King is set for a world tour after receiving the prestigious International Performing Arts for Youth (IPAY) Victor Award at the 39th IPAY Annual International Showcase in Madison, Wisconsin, USA.
The Victor Award was established in the late 1990's as a way of recognising excellence in performing arts for young people.
The Young King's achievement at IPAY continues a tradition of success for South Australia at the event with Slingsby becoming the third SA theatre compay to win the Victor Award in just the last six years.
The Young King, qhich had its international premiere at IPAY, was selected by international delegates at one of the world's leading performance arts markets.
The Annual event attracts over 450 delegates each year, looking for the world's best professioanl performing arts group for young audiences available for touring and presentation.
With IPAY bringing The Young King to thwe attention of the world's theatres and artsd festivals, negotions are now underway for extensive touring with multiple sessions in USA, Canada, England, Wales and Ireland.
the continuied success of The Young King is criticsl for Slingsby which os facing an uncertain longer-term financial future after being told that it had lost its Australia Council Funding n May 2016.
Slingsby's Artistic Director Andy Packer said the IPAY Victor Award was a well-deserved reward for the cast, crew and all the loyal supporters of slingsby who've helped the company during a difficult period.
In November 2017 Slingsby will take The Young King to the Sydney Opera House.
The Young King is an interactive, fable-like tale of a naive young goat-herder, leading a simple life, ignorant of his birthright as heir to a kingdom, fate finally catches up with the boy, taking him from his forest to assumne his kigly duties. As a quest ensues for treasures to create his tobes, crown and sceptre, the boy faces a series of internal struggles and contemplations.

Arts Centre Melbourne

Working in partnership with Creative Victoria and the Victorian Government, the Artts Centre is proud to announce a major new project that celebrates and promotes Australia's extraordinary contemporary music story - the past, present and what it may look lke in the future.
The Arts Centre maind exhibition space in the Theatres Building Gallery 1, will be reconfigured to become a home for a new interactive exhibition on Australian Contemporary Music.
Containing a national 'hall of fame' concept, the Australian Music Vault will feature innovative digital experiences, iconic objects and an online presence for the exhibition that is a fully intergrated extension of the visitor experience. Ther will be also ongoning and extensive calendar if performances, programs and events.
The Australian Music Vault will showcase many of the treasured music-related items from the Performing Art Collection, providing an invaluable opportunity top deliver broader public access to this imporant community asset.
As an important part of the agreement with the Victorian Government to deliver this project, significan resources hace also been provided to ensue that many elements of the eider Performing Arts Collection will be made available to the public. IN addition to our ongoing care and preservaion of this significent Collection, the Arts Centre will be providing enhanced visibility and access through onsite expereinnces, digital engagement, research and outreach initiatives.

White Night 2017

White Night Melbourne will return to the streets, laneways and gardens of the CBD from dusk till sawn on Saturday February 18, 2017 and the inaugural; White Night Ballarat will follow on Saturday March 4. 2017.
The Miniater for Tourism and Major Events, John Erenm Artistic Director and Executive Producer david Atkins and the Mayor of Ballarat, Councillor Samantha McIntosh joined together at the State Libraryof Victoria to announce the first instalments of the White Night Melbourne and the White Night Ballarat programs which deature local, historical, national and international artists.
Artistic Director David Atkins commented " I am both excited and honoured to have been granted the opportunity to guide and support the team and the artistswho will deliver Malbourne's fifth and Ballarat's first White Night. In the course of one evening, over just 12 hours, White Night transforms the city into a great canvas for works of almost every conceivable art form - For one night in Melbourne and Ballarat, "we are of such stuff as dreams are made of" - William Shakespeare.
Highlights of the White Night Melbourne program include the mondtrous fire-erupting Pyrophone Juggernaut at the Melbourne Museum Plaza The Pyrophone Juggernaut is the largest hand-operated, multi=octave fire organ in the world and built entirely from reclaimed metal and industrial salvage. This massive metallic beast bellows an unearthly music of heart pounding rhythms, all powered by monstrous jets of stupifying flame. Operated by multiple musicians and performance artists the Pyrophone Juggernaut promises and infernal spectacle like no other!
Flinders Street buildings will come alive from The Forum Theatre to Chapter House with Electric Canvas' Fractured Fairytales projections. a selection of chidren's favourite fairytales, inspired by the Shrek filnms and the original Rocky and bullwinkle cartoons of the 60s and 70s.
The majestic domed La Trobe Rwading Room at the State Library of Victoria will be transformed into an eoic underwater 360 degree specatacular with Seadragon's Lair, Sherree Marris, Brad May and Lisa Greenway have created a world-class animation wiht soundscapea and underwater cinematogratophgraphy to create a living canvs in Melboutne's own marine metropolos.
If you ever wanted to cut a rug on Collins Street, now's your chance as the 12-hour dance marathon is back! Swing Sixty presented by Vichealth will be set to the swinging sounds of big band music from the 30s. 40s. and 50s. courtesy of big-band legend John Morrison and everyone is invited to join in.
Birrarung Marr burstr to life with alex Sanson's flower-like sculpture of vast proportions Spherophyte which unfurls before your eyes. As you gaze into the beauty of the giant Spherophyte the 48 moving arms come alive inder lights, 'breathing' in an endlessm effortless ccle, folding and uinfolding as shapes intersect, combine and dicolve.
Free from their collaboration with Portuguese creative OCUBO at White Night Melbourne 2026, the Pitcha Makin Fellas return with a power5ful collection of 24 portraits celebrating indigenous faces of Ballarat at St. Paul's Cathedral Black Face (Real Face) is a series of black-on-black portraits and with the use of three different gross values of black paint means that as you move around the paintings, they change and therfore there is cenver one night spot from which to see them.

WHITE NIGHT BALLARAT HIGHLIGHTS

Highlighs of the White Night Ballarat program and exclusive to Ballarat include Night of Gold which explores the nightlife of Ballarat during its 'roaring days ' pf the gold rush. The Electric Canvas presents an architectural projection across several prominent buildings along Lydiard Street, encompassing three distinct themes relating to mid-1800s nightlife in Ballarat.
Wadawurrung Walkling with Waa invites you to take a walk through time from the Aboriginal Creation Story to the present day. Aunty Marlene and her daughter Deanne Gilson will project their paintings into the walls of ballarat, presenting their stories that include an Aboriginal perspective of the goldming era. Accompsnying the historical walking tour, aunty's son Barry Gison will sing Wasawurrung songs in te language of his ancestors.
Crate Expectations is a playful robotic sculpture made from vintage packing crates, moving furniture and disembodies libs, performing a choreography of warped sound and sequenced lighting to draw audiences from the dark night into its warm, dreamlike glow. Crate Expectations will roll throught the streets, seeking out and respnding to audiences throughout the night.
More than 1 Nation is an unique collaboration tnat sees the stunning patterns and colours if the Pitcha Makin fellas' paintings, cut outs and stamps transposed by The Electric Canvas onto the former Bank of NSW building in Ballarat, constructing a visually beautiful of redemption, honour, triumph and reward.
White Night Melbourne and White Night Ballarat are the cities as you know them, but reimagined and transformed under the ephemeral cloak of night. From sunset to sunrise lodal, national and international artists, musicians and performers will weave a spell ove the cities in a celebration of culture and creativity. the evnet transforms the impossib;e into the possible through installation, lighting, exhibitions, street performaces, film, music, dance and interactive events for 12 gried hours in Melbounre and Ballarat.

The Bodyguard - the Leading Lady announced

Producers John Frost, Michael Harrison and David Ian on October 25 announced that one of Australia's finest voices and performers, Pauline, will play the leading role of Rachel Marron in the Australian premiere of the international award-winning hit musical The Bodyguard. The 2017 Australian tour of The Bocyguard will commence at the Sydney Lyric Theatre on April 22. 2017, before playing at the Lyric Theatre, QPAC, Brisbane from July and the Regent Theatre, Melbourne from August.
Australia first fel in love with Pauline and her impressive five octave range during the inaugural series of Australian Idol. ONe of her childhood idols was Whitney Houston, and Pauline won the National Star Search Competition in her teens with her redition of Whitney's timeless classic When You Believe. The Fijiwn-born singer, songwriter went on to release three highly acclaiemd albums, and has travelled the globe from New York to Los Angeles, Paris and LOndon, collaborating with some of the world's best musc producers. With her incredible voice, stunning looks and engaging personality, Pauline os one of Australia's most uniquely talented performer.

ACCLAIMED THEATRE PRODUCER

JOHN FROST OAM

ANNOUNCED AS 2014 RECIPIENT OF THE PRESTIGIOUS

JC WILLIAMSON AWARD ™

Live Performance Australia (LPA) has today announced that revered theatre producer John Frost has been named the 2014 JC WILLIAMSON AWARD™ recipient.

The JC WILLIAMSON AWARD™ is the foremost honour that the Australian live entertainment industry can bestow. The award recognises individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to the Australian live entertainment and performing arts industry and shaped the future of our industry for the better. Past winners include such iconic figures as Dame Joan Sutherland OM AC DBE, Barry Humphries AO CBE, Michael Gudinski AM, John Farnham AO and Graeme Murphy AM to name but a few.

John Frost has produced some of Australia’s most successful musical theatre productions over the past 3 decades. From the early days of the Gordon Frost Organisation with Hello Dolly!, The Secret Garden, Cabaret and Crazy for You to blockbuster musicals of more recent times such as Wicked, The Sound Of Music, Annie, The Wizard of Oz, Grease The Arena Spectacular, Chicago, South Pacific and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, John Frost has nurtured and steered the careers of hundreds of cast and crew with his passion and imparting knowledge. This year alone sees him producing multiple shows around Australia including Grease, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Wicked – 10th Anniversary production, The King and I with Opera Australia, and Once with the Melbourne Theatre Company.

John commenced his impressive career at the age of 16 when he was employed as a dresser on the J.C. Williamson Ltd production of Mame. The dedicated teenager worked his way up within the theatre world to Wardrobe Master, Stage Manager, Company Manager and eventually Producer. Having produced countless successful Australian productions over the years John has also gained international respect having won 2 Tony Awards for the Broadway productions of Hairspray and The King and I and currently has 2 shows playing on London’s West End, The Bodyguard and Blithe Spirit. John’s Australian productions of The Producers, Wicked and Legally Blonde – The Musical won Helpmann Awards for Best Musical in 2005, 2009 and 2013 respectively.

“I am truly grateful to Live Performance Australia and the JC Williamson Award Committee for this incredible honour. Receiving the JC Williamson Award™ is the highest tribute that can be bestowed on someone working in the performing arts industry, and to be acknowledged by my peers for a job I love is gratifying and inspiring. I'm humbled to be in the company of Googie Withers and John McCallum, Kenn Brodziak, Clifford Hocking, Tony Gould and other past recipients of this prestigious award. Thank you.” said John.

John Frost will be honoured at an industry celebration hosted by LPA in association with Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) in Brisbane on Monday 19th May. The night will include special performances as well as a host of special guests paying tribute to the theatre impresario and his outstanding contribution to the live performance industry in Australia.

LPA President Andrew Kay said, “We are thrilled to announce John Frost as this year’s JC Williamson Award recipient. John joins the ranks of a group of individuals who in their own way, and in their own field, have made extraordinary contributions to shaping and changing the landscape of our dynamic live performance industry. John’s contribution to commercial musical theatre in Australia is internationally renowned and esteemed in this country. We are delighted to be able to formally recognise his contribution and achievements at a celebratory dinner in May and at the Helpmann Awards on 18 August.”

NSW Minister for Tourism, Major Events and Minister for the Arts, George Souris today congratulated Mr Frost on his prestigious award, which will be presented at the Helpmann Awards at Sydney’s Capitol Theatre in August. The Helpmanns, supported by the NSW Government, recognises those who have made an outstanding contribution to the performing arts industry.

“Over the past three decades, John Frost, who hails from Sydney has produced some of Australia’s most successful musical theatre productions, many of which have premiered right here in Sydney.” Mr Souris said.

“It has been a great joy to work with my friend John Frost during this exciting period of development for Opera Australia. John is the ultimate professional and his advice and knowledge of the music theatre business is not only highly perceptive but it is fuelled by a real passion for the theatre. He is also a wonderful human being whose generosity of spirit and his genuine love of the theatre is inspiring to everyone who has had the privilege of working with him. He has been (and still is) an extraordinarily strong advocate for Australian artists and I believe that there is no-one who is more deserving of this prestigious award than John Frost....and there is no-one who is a finer ambassador for our industry.” said Lyndon Terracini, Artistic Director Opera Australia.

QPAC Chief Executive Mr John Kotzas paid tribute to Mr Frost calling him one of the great legends of the stage in Australia. “I’ve worked with John for many years now and the professionalism and consistently high quality productions that John tours around Australia are remarkable. John is a well-respected and most welcome producer and guest at many venues around the country – I know QPAC staff are always eager to work with him and our audiences certainly show their support. Well done John!”

The 14th Annual Helpmann Awards will be presented live in Sydney at the Capitol Theatre on Monday 18th August and broadcast on Foxtel’s Arena.

The NSW Government, through its tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW, is LPA’s Strategic Partner for the 2014 Helpmann Awards.

www.helpmannawards.com.au

Gerry Hall Interview

Jerry Hall Interview
12/3/13

I am happy to be back in Melbourne a city of always loved.
When asked how she started in show business Jerry said that she went to a nightclub and met Helmut Newton a leading photographer and in a few weeks I was on the cover of French Vogue. Helmut to work with was quite difficult but I’ve always had a way with difficult men.
Helmut was wonderful if you did what he wanted He was quite precise in what he wanted. A wonderful photographer.
When asked about theatre Jerry replied with ‘ I had taken drama in high school and studied in New York at the Actor’s Studio when I was 18 and studied in the National Theatre in London when I was 19. I always wanted to act and always loved performing I did bits and pieces of movies but theatre was always my favourite. I didn’t start theatre till I was about 31. It was quite late. Still it was lovely to get into the theatre, that has always been my great love performing in front of an audience specially doing comedy because you feel you get instant reaction from the audience. You very much connected to them, there’s instant feedback and it is so much fun.
I find audiences around the world are different. I remember when I did The Graduate in London and because The Graduate is such an American play there is this one line that I thought was terribly funny and I could never understand why the audience wasn’t laughing. I was obsessed with trying to get it right and kept working in it then I did it in America and they laughed at that very lie. I thought, what a relief, because it was a very American line. When I sis it in Perth they seemed to get it. I guess they watch American television and American comedy shows.
The show always changes with the actors. In Perth, Benjamin the lead actor was from the American Touring Company and in Melbourne Benjamin will be played by an Australian actor.
I am very pleased to work with a whole new group of Australians.”
When questioned on the nude scene Jerry’s response was” When I first did it, the first couple of months I hated the nude scene and then it became my favourite part as it shocked the audience. The first time I did the scene in London at a preview about 50 photographers stood up and took pictures. It took a while but it is very beautiful and very tastefully done and I am wearing high heels so I am not completely nude.
I am looking forward to the Melbourne season of The Graduate at Her Majesty’s Theatre in September.”

Australian Ballet

Rachel Rawlins

Rachel Rawlins' final call with The Australian Ballet

Principal Artist announces her retirement from the stage after 21-year career.

One of Australia's most acclaimed ballerinas will take her final curtain call next month.
After a stage career spanning 21 years, 18 of those spent at The Australian Ballet Principal Artist Rachel Rawlins has announced that she will retire at the end of the Swan Lake season in Sydney. Her last show in the title role of Odette will be Wednesday December 19, 2012.
Artistic Director of The Australian Ballet, David McAllister said Rachel would be remembered for many leading roles in her remarkable career.
'Rachel is a beutiful dancer to watch and she's carved out a unique reputation as one of the company's great classicists' said McAllister.
'Her superb performances in hallmark ballets such as Swan Lake, Manon, Giselle and The Nutcracker will be remebered fondly by audiences and fans that have followed her career.'
Rawlins grew up in Canberra before moving to Melbourne as a teenager to study ballet. She joined The Australian ballet in 1991, later leaving to spend two years with The Royal Ballet in London. She re-joined the company in 2001 and was promoted to principal artist three years later.
Showcasing her trademark lyricism in much-loved clasics such as Romeo and Juliet and Don Quixote , Rawlins quickly established herself as a leading ballerina capable of bringing deep emotion to narrative works.
She took her talents to the world stage with appearances at the Ena Ballet Festival Gala in Kuala Lumpur in 2011, The World Festival of Ballet in Tokyo in 2009 and numerous international tours with The Australian Ballet.
In announcing her decision, Rachel said " I will be forever grateful to have had such an exciting and fulfilling career with The Australian Ballet. I have been so fortunate to have danced in so many beautiful ballets and to have worked with incredible people."
"I will treasure the friendships I have made in the company and ballet community and would like to thank my family and the audience for all they have given me. I leave the stage feeling sure I will always miss it but that my journey is complete."

Productions:
Odette in Stephen Baynes Swan Lake 2012
Cio-Cio San in Stanton Welch's Madame Butterfly 2011
Sugar Plum Fairy in Peter Wright's The Nutcracker 2010
Aurora in Stanton Welch's The Sleeping Beauty 2009
Clara the Ballerina in Graeme Murphy's Nutcracker - The Story of Clara 2009
Manon in Manon 2008
Kim in Don Quixote 2007
Raymonda Grey in Stephen Bayne's Raymonda 2006
Giselle in Giselle 3008, 2006
Jiri Kylian's Forgotten Land and Petite Morte 2005
Juliet in John Cranko's Romeo and Juliet 2003.

First Indigenous dancer to join The Australian Ballet . Ella Havelka goes from Bangarra to ballet.

The Australian Ballet is delighted to announce that Ella Havelka will be joining the company.
She will be the first indigenous dancer to join The Australian Ballet and will start rehearsing in Sydney in November 2012.
Artistic Director David McAllister said he was thrilled that Havelka had accepted the offer to join the company.
"We've been watchng Ella for many years and have witnessed her grow and develop into a beautiful artist, in particular, she was sensational in Warumuk - in the dark night part of our infinity program, in which she also performed in New York City on our 50th Anniversary tour.
We're very excited that she will become part of The Austrlian Ballet family, and know that the ballet community will eagerly await her first performance with us" said McAllister.
Bangarra's Artistic Director Stephen Page said "Ella is one of this country's greatest young talents, and as she continues her journey as an Aboriginal woman and an Australian dance artist, we wish her every success."
Havelka, a descendant of the Wiradjun people. graduated from The Australian Ballet School in 2007 and toured with the company's regional arm, The Dancer's company. She joined Bangarra Dance Theatre in 2008 and made her debut in Fire - A Retrospective in 2009.
Havelka said the offer was a wonderful opportunity.
"I feel very humbled and excited to be given the opportunity to return to the Ballet world with fresh eyes and new inspirations through my experiences since graduating from The Australian Ballet School. I am looking forward to the new challenges I will encounter and am honoured to be working with such amazing artists, dancers, mentors and choreographers within The Australian Ballet.
Although I am sad to be leaving Bangarra, a community I will always call family, I find comfort in knowing I will always carry their spirit with me on my journey and development as an artist. I can only hope to inspire others within the indegenous community to pursue their own dreams and passions". said Havelka.

Production Centre

To commemorate the 50th Anniversary of The Australian Ballet, the Federal Government is providing $2 million for the fit-out of the company's new production centre to be constructed in Altona, Melbourne.
Arts Minister Simon Crean said the centre will be a state-of-the-art facility for the creation, maintenance and storage of the scenery, propd, lighting, and costumes for the company's critically acclaimed and well-loved productions.
The company has 90 ballets in its repertoire with sets and costumes estimated to be worth $40 million. Mr Crean said.
The custom-designed centre will ensure these valuable assets are preserved so that the ballets can be restaged and enjoyed by future audiences, including younger and first time audience members.
The centre will support the outstanding work the company does in bringing world-class performances to the nation's regions and will transform the way The Australian ballet undertakes production work. Projects such as this illustrate our commitment to sup[porting not just what we see on stage, but the work that goes on behind the scenes to bring these performances to fruitition.
Mr Crean said the centre will also be used as an education resource, giving visitors a behind-the-scenes look at howe a ballet production comes together.
In the future, interactive digital tours will be ezplored for interstate and regional dchools, harnessing the4 high-speed broadband capabilities of the National Broadband Network, Mr Crean said.
Valerie Wilder, Executive director of The Australian Ballet said that the new facility will not only store our ballets, but will provide dedicated areas for assembling sets (where for the firs time, we will be able to stand up and support 10 metre high scene pieces), painting scenary and preparing and despatching touring freight.
The new Production Centre will also have an office area, including a virtual design studio where we will use computers to create 3D models of or set desigs and light them using virtual lights, saving us valuable time in the theatre, and workplaces for our production and technical staff.
Scenery,. props and costumes represent major long-term assets for any ballet company. Over the past two years, our colleagues at Houston ballet, The National Ballet of Canada and the Royal Ballet, have recognised the importance of proper asset stewardship and have built new production centres.

New Chairman for Opera Queensland

Opera Queensland is pleased to announce the appointment of current Treasurer Robert Hubbard as the new Chairman of Opera Queensland following the company’s recent Annual General Meeting.
Mr Hubbard replaces Mr Martin Kriewaldt, who retired from the Board at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) after 14 years as Chairman. Also retiring at the AGM were long standing Board members the Hon. Prof. Peter Fardoulys AM and Dr Cherrell Hirst AO.
Robert Hubbard has been a Partner in PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) for over 20 years, first joining the company in 1984. During this time, he has been the auditor of some of Australia’s largest companies and has led both the Advisory and Assurance practices of PwC Brisbane. He has been Treasurer of Opera Queensland for the last 4 years and believes passionately in the role of not-for-profit bodies in the arts and broader charitable sectors. He is also the Chairman of Multiple Sclerosis Australia and a Director of UQ Health Care.
Mr Hubbard gratefully acknowledges the significant personal and financial contributions made to the company by Mr Kriewaldt, Professor Fardoulys and Dr Hirst during their tenures of 15, 31 and 9 years respectively. The company was able to acknowledge the substantial commitment of Mr Kriewaldt, Professor Fardoulys and Dr Hirst at a function following the first performance of Verdi’s Macbeth in its semi-staged presentation in the Concert Hall (QPAC) last month.
“Opera Queensland, like many other not-for-profit enterprises across Australia, depends on the generosity and goodwill of its Board members who give of their time and experience to guide the fortunes of the company,” said Mr Hubbard. “The commitment from these three individuals has been exceptional and will not be forgotten. We wish them all the very best in their future endeavours.”

Mr Hubbard is also pleased to announce the appointment of Ms Sally Pitkin to the Opera Queensland Board.
“We are very lucky to be able to attract someone with Sally’s legal and commercial background to the Opera Queensland Board as we guide the Company into the future. Sally’s appointment ensures continuing access to a high level of knowledge and skill following the recent departures,” said Mr Hubbard.
Sally Pitkin’s corporate career as a lawyer and company director spans 30 years. She is a former Partner with national commercial law firm, Clayton Utz, and acts as a consultant to the firm. She is the Deputy President of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (Queensland Division), the Deputy Chairman of the Export Finance and Insurance Corporation, and a Director of Super Retail Group Limited (ASX:SUL), Billabong International Ltd (ASX:BBG), UQ Holdings Pty Ltd, ASC Pty Ltd and the Committee for Economic Development of Australia. She is also a member of the Queensland Competition Authority. She is a graduate of the Queensland University of Technology holding graduate and postgraduate qualifications in law. She is currently a doctoral student with The University of Queensland and is completing her doctoral thesis on governance in independent schools.