THE BOYS

PIP Theatre acknowledges the Turrbal and Jagera people, the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we gather to tell stories and play.

PIP’S STORY

Like the pip for which it’s named, one little throwaway line planted the seed for a big idea.

Actor, student and passionate theatre producer Deidre Grace was seeking more professional work when she was told:

“You have to create your own opportunities, no one is going to offer you roles.”

Heeding this advice, Deidre approached dozens of Brisbane performing arts venues theatres only to discover they were booked out 18 months in advance. She quickly changed tack and realised to stage her own productions, she needed her own venue.

“This concept of putting on a show that delivers social messages and raises social issues also shows people how they can make a genuine difference.

Operating as both an arts organisation that produces and programs work and as a hire venue for like-minded arts organisations, PIP Theatre’s model is set to deliver financial benefits to Brisbane artists and arts workers too.

“We want to work with emerging and established artists, we want to program new work as well as timeless productions and we want to address all manner of social issues such as ageing, disability, homelessness, gender equality, mental health and family violence.”

The result is PIP Theatre, the newest addition to Brisbane’s vibrant performing arts sector.

But amid the glow of stage lights and glitter of opening nights is a powerful mission to create, commission, program and promote theatre with purpose.

“PIP stands for Purpose in Performance. Our goal is two-fold: to provide more paid professional opportunities for Brisbane cast, crew and creatives and to stage work that combines powerful messages with definitive social action,” Deidre said.

Deidre’s mission to make a genuine difference in the world is as much a driving force behind PIP Theatre as her longstanding love of the performing arts.

DIRECTORS NOTE

I first came across The Boys as a drama student in high school looking for contemporary Australian works. The play intrigued me (if nothing else, it gave me a lifelong interest in true crime). Then in 1998 when I saw the film with David Wenham, Toni Colette, Lynette Curran, Jeanette Cronin, John Paulson, and a cast of extraordinary Australian performers I was simultaneously haunted, appalled, and blown away by the power of the performances and the storytelling. It made me want to find out more about the real-life events on which the work had been based to try and understand what made the perpetrators do what they did. And what circumstances contributed to the events that led to the brutal assault and murder of a young woman.

So when I was first approached about directing The Boys, I distinctly remember my answer was hell yes!

And then almost immediately having the thought: how will this play sit with an audience in 2022, after the seismic shifts in our social narrative? Would we as a society find its themes unrelatable, problematic, and possibly even offensive? Sadly, as much as we have moved forward and we would like to believe that we are evolving the issues at the heart of the play are still all too familiar - intimate partner violence, coercive control, toxic masculinity and its impacts on all society either overt or coevert. I believe that in order to enact real and long-term change we must bring issues out of the shadows to bring awareness to them and start conversations, hard conversations so we can listen and learn from each other and find solutions at a local level that will impact globally .

CIENDA’S CREDENTIAL’S

Cienda McNamara credits include Undies: The Cabaret and The Hum Series (Joymas Creative); Private Lives and A Doll’s House (Starlight Theatre); The Fool’s Journey (Judith Wright Centre); This Way Up (Brisbane Powerhouse); Historia (Shesaid Productions) and Parade (Warehaus Theatre Company) at QPAC. Food of Love (Queensland Shakespeare Ensemble); Shakespeare’s Bits (Carpe Diem Productions); A Midsummer Night’s Dream(Grin and Tonic); A Little Night Music (Brisbane Philharmonic Orchestra); Yours Sincerely, Banana Brains by Lizzie Flynn (Queensland Cabaret Festival and Nik Nak Productions); 35mm, A Musical Exhibition;( Australian premiere) Britten’s The Little Sweep (Australian Festival of Chamber Music;) the25project (Joymas Creative); World Goes ‘Round

(Qld Conservatorium of Music); Rhythm Junkies, and Rhythm Junkies: Revived ( Red Hot Rhythms) recipient of an Australian Dance Award ;Curtains by Kander and Ebb (NASDA in New Zealand).

She was the Associate Director on The Danger Ensemble’s new work Let Men Tremble (Theatre Works, Melbourne). Cienda was part of the I’ve Been Meaning to Ask You The Good Room’s National Touring team which included seasons in Canberra, Parramatta, and Bundaberg. Cienda is a proud member of the MEAA.

Photos by Raoul Slater

Actress and singer Chantal Elyse is no stranger to the stage, performing since the age of 5 years old. Chantal completed her Associate Diploma with Trinity College London and later went on to study for a Diploma in Screen and Media acting at the New York Film Academy Australia.

Chantal has a strong passion for dramatic roles across the Film, TV, Musical theatre, and theatre space. She has also been involved in short films, TV commercials, web series and feature film projects, some of which she has won various Best Actress awards at national and international film festivals.

Most recently, Chantal starred alongside Australian Singer/ Songwriter Pete Murray in the upcoming feature film Blue Horizon produced and directed by Josh Hale; ‘2021 Gold Coast Filmmaker of the Year. Chantal made her Brisbane theatre debut in 2021, playing Lydia in Theresa Rebecks Spike Heels and from there has gone on to expand her skills with PIP Theatre.

Chantal is a proud member of the MEAA.

Stephen made his professional stage debut in 2007 playing Corowa in The Mack (Kooemba Jdarra) and has since gone on to work in film, stage, national commercial campaigns and the corporate coaching arena in Brisbane and Sydney. His film credits include voicing the character George in The Queen and I, an animated film shown at major galleries across Australia and, The Beehive, shown at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York.

In 2012 he graduated from QUT with a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Acting). His stage credits include What It Feels Like, As You Like It, The Crucible, Edward II, Three Sisters, The Last Days of Judas Iscariot (QUT), Angel Gear (La Boite) and Anatomy of a Suicide (Metro Arts).

He has also featured in rehearsed readings for Queensland Theatre and audio plays for PlayLab Theatre. His corporate work has seen him assisting businesses, educational institutions, and the public service to foster education in the workplace, communication, and networking skills.

After graduating from NIDA, Zoë has worked extensively in stage, TV and film. Her stage credits include: Dirty Butterfly and Women of Troy (Downstairs Belvoir); Mother Theresa is Dead and Women of Lockerbie (Cumulus Productions); The Illusion (Darlinghurst Theatre); National tour of Sprung (Monkey Baa Productions). She played Cavale in Cowboy Mouth for Theatre Songe and was nominated for the 2009 Matilda Award for her performance as Izzy in QT’s Rabbit Hole.

Zoë co-founded BIG SCARY ANIMAL with Julian Curtis in 2019 and their debut production of Savage in Limbo received rave reviews. In 2021 she played Bonnie in Anatomy of a Suicide (co-produced by bc, eg and BSA for Metro Arts). TV roles include Upright 2, Joe VS Carole (The Tiger King), The Paul Hogan Story, Wanted, Catching Milat, East West 101, White Collar Blue, All Saints, Major Crime.

For ABC TV, Zoë featured in Stepfather of the Bride, The Silence and the telemovie Scorched. Feature films include Khao Do’s Footy Legends and The View from Glenhaven Drive.

Zoe is a proud member of the MEAA.

CHANTAL ELYSE

Jackie

STEPHEN GERONIMOS Brett ZOE HOUGHTON Michelle

Aidan O’Donnell is in his 3rd year studying Acting at QUT.

Most recently Aidan starred in Angels in America directed by Bridget Boyle. He graduated in 2018 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts majoring in Drama & Creative Writing at QUT. Aidan’s most notable performance was in the short film Hunger, directed by Joshua Winngington, which received an honourable mention at the International London Monthly Film Festival.

Aidan also recently wrote and directed his own short film Reminiscing, which is currently being submitted to festivals around Australia. Aidan believes in supporting the local Queensland Creative Industry.

Aidan is a proud member of the MEAA.

Leela Rashid has been engaged in the local performing arts scene for the last four years.

Her most recent credits including Dora the explorer, Harrow and NBCs Young Rock. In 2019, she graduated from The F-actor-y’s Full-Time screen actors program founded by Christopher Sommers. She has trained with some of the industry’s best teachers: including Charles Allen- Eric Morris technique, Melanie Zanetti, Rob Horton-Meisner & Christopher SommersChubbuck technique.

Leela continues to train locally and work on her craft. She is pursuing a career in TV and films both in Australia and the United States.

After graduating from QUT with a Bachelor of Fine Arts majoring in Creative and Professional Writing, Samuel has been heavily involved in the theatre community.

Performing in Queensland Theatre’s: Taming of the Shrew, Boys Swallows Universe; 4MBS: Macbeth; shake & stir theatre co: Macbeth, Romeo & Juliet, Prankster; Brisbane Immersive Ensemble: The Midsummer Carnival, Speakeasy: On New Year’s Eve, The Baedeker Speakeasy, Cluedo! The Interactive Game; Folly Games: A Convict’s Hope; Queensland Shakespeare Ensemble: Hamlet; Brainstorm Productions: Cheap Thrills, Sticks & Stones, Saving Lil & Archie, The Hurting Game; Melbourne International Comedy Festival/Queensland Cabaret Festival: Occult Impressarios, DIRTY SEXY POLITICS; THAT Production Company: Romeo & Juliet; Bent Schematic: The Gremlins.

AIDAN O’DONNELL Stevie

LEELA RASHID Nola

SAMUEL VALENTINE

Glenn

DEIDRE GRACE

Deidre’s recent stage performances include Summer Rain (Villanova Players 2021), Kitchen Diva (Mates Theatre Genesis 2021), God of Carnage (Ad Astra 2020), Streetcar Named Desire, Ladies in Black, Caucasian Chalk Circle (Brisbane Arts 2019). She has completed four twelve-month acting intern/ apprenticeship programs since 2018 (Qld Shakespeare Ensemble, NIDA Screen Studio, and The Warehouse Studio, Brisbane Arts).

For her role as Marie in Thank you for Being a Friend, an independent LGBTQIA short film produced by Purple Snow Entertainment, Deidre won Best Actress in the 2021 Singapore International Short Film Festival. Her first supporting role in an independent feature film The Rise of Billy Jones is in postproduction, following supporting roles in four independent (Reactor Studio, Second Last, Pantarotto Productions) and eight student short films (QUT, Griffith, Bond Uni).

Recognising the lack of opportunity for emerging actors to gain professional experience in Brisbane, Deidre, with the help of like-minded investors, founded PIP Theatre. PIP Theatre has proudly partnered with Matilda Awardwinning producer Indelability Arts and is commencing plans for an inclusive program in 2023.

Deidre is a proud member of the MEAA.

Sandra

SPECIAL THANKS TO

SHERRI VAN GEEST Assistant Director

AMELIA SLATTER Production Manager

GENEVIEVE GANNER Set & Costume Designer

KATIE SWAN Sound Designer

TIMOTHY JAMES Lighting Designer

JASON MCKELL Fight Director

MICHELLE MIALL Intimacy Director

JENNA TODD Marketing Director

Gordon Graham, Catarina Hebbard, Jodi Curnow-Baker, Peter Crees, Sarah Robertson, Raoul Slater, Jeanette Cronin, Belinda Cox, Jonty Bush Mp, Madonna Jarrett, Scott & Claire Todd, Ben & Sheryl Slatter, Tom Dodds, Elise Greig, Racheal Leigh, Graham Paul, TukTuk, @TukTalkz, Damiam Tatum, Scarlett Hughes, McKims Jewellery Design, and our dedicated front of house team.

KAYLA ALEXANDRA Stage Manager

MICAH PROJECTS

BDVS is an activity of Micah Projects.

Brisbane Domestic Violence Service (BDVS) is a 24/7, free and confidential service for people in the Brisbane Metropolitan area who are affected by domestic and family violence. The service supports women, children, family members, same sex cou ples and others affected by domestic violence.

BDVS Goals

The goal of BDVS is to support any adult or child to reach a stage where they are safe and free from fear of domestic and family violence. We provide a range of services, including information and referral, crisis support, practical assistance, advocacy, and emotional support.

We work to provide a safe environment in which people can access our services, providing support in the way that best meets need—over the phone, online, or by visiting in the home or at a safe place in the community.

BDVS Service is Based on the Beliefs that:

• Domestic and family violence is a violation of human rights and is unacceptable in any form.

• Violence in any form is a crime and should not be tolerated by society.

• Women and children are predominantly victims of domestic and family violence.

• All family members have a right to safety in the community and where they reside.

• All individuals experiencing domestic and family violence have a right to be treated with respect, dignity and with a non-judgemental attitude

• All individuals experiencing domestic and family violence have the right to choose what options they pursue to address the violence

How Do You Access BDVS Services?

To refer yourself or another person to BDVS, phone 3217 2544, or go to www.bdvs.org.au.

To ensure safety, desire to access the service, and that the service is appropriate to the needs of the individual/s, BDVS works directly with those affected by domestic and family violence.

DONATE TO MICAH

Assistance and Emotional Support

BDVS provides advocacy and emotional support throughout the process of reaching and maintaining safety goals. We provide short-term, crisis-based support to address immediate safety and risk concerns, set goals, and support positive emotional health and wellbeing. We continue to provide emotional support until people have reached the point of being safe and free from fear of domestic and family violence.

PROUD

WITH

WHAT’S ON AT PIP THEATRE

MOON WITH A VIEW | 10-12 NOVEMBER

By Mothlight Theatre

Arnold is on a quest to deliver his grandma’s ashes to the moon, in an attempt to fulfill her dying request. Join him as he takes on a challenge of a lifetime. Mothlight Theatre blends clowning, physical theatre, and earnest storytelling in this tale about coping with grief in the most adventurous way.

LANGUAGE &

By

THE NO BANG THEORY + CHAMELEON (DOUBLE BILL) | 1-2 DECEMBER

By Indebility Arts