YEAR IN
Review Queensland Performing Arts Centre 2015
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A renowned and celebrated arts centre
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Thank you for taking the time to look at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) 2015 Year in Review. 2015 has been a significant year for QPAC. This year, the Centre has reflected on and celebrated 30 years as Queensland’s leading centre for live performance. Over those 30 years, QPAC has welcomed more than 20 million people through its doors, presented more than 26,000 performances and events, worked with the best local, national and international companies and artists, curated festivals and events that create rich experiences for our audiences and make Brisbane an attractive place to live, work and visit. At QPAC, the metrics of our successes are measured beyond tangible numbers. QPAC is a centre that serves many functions – meeting place, community centre, performance space, Queensland icon, learning centre and destination. The benefits of participating in the arts are often intangible: the sense of connection to a broader community; the feeling of being uplifted, challenged or moved by a performance; or learning and discovering something new. Though these are often harder to measure, they are the experiences and memories that people have with us over 30 years; and it is important in how we continue to talk about the work we do.
CURRENT CHAIR CHRIS FREEMAN AM (THIRD FROM LEFT), JOINED FORMER CHAIRS* (L–R) HENRY SMERDON AM, DON COATES, DON MUNRO AM, MARIE SIGANTO AM AND ROB KELLY AM TO CELEBRATE QPAC’S 30TH ANNIVERSARY. *JAN POWER ABSENT.
In this milestone year we also consider what the future holds, and I am certain that QPAC will continue to be a space for the people of Brisbane to come to for enriching and engaging experiences. I commend and thank my fellow board members, QPAC’s Chief Executive John Kotzas and his executive team and dedicated staff who work together to make QPAC a renowned and celebrated arts centre. Chris Freeman AM Chair
Photographer Darren Thomas
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The future is exciting 2
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Congratulations QPAC on your 30th anniversary! 2015 was a landmark year for QPAC as it celebrated 30 years as Queensland’s leader in presenting exceptional performing arts from our own backyard and around the world, and as home to the state’s leading arts companies. In celebrating its 30th anniversary in style, QPAC presented musical favourites Dirty Dancing, Anything Goes, Strictly Ballroom and a new production of Les Misérables, and set record attendances with 1.4 million people from July 2014 to June 2015. QPAC also hosted Clancestry Clancestry, its annual celebration of country, which shares the knowledge, lore and cultural practices of the world’s First Nations Peoples and is supported by the Queensland Government’s Backing Indigenous Arts initiative, which works to build a sustainable and ethical Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts industry in Queensland. For 30 years, QPAC has been the place where many Queenslanders have had their first experience attending a live performance, a magical experience that transports us in the way that only arts can. QPAC has had a role in fostering the careers of many of our artists who have performed on its stages. I applaud the diversity and richness of QPAC’s programming with its impressive line-up ranging from local talent to international stars. I take this opportunity to thank the Board and staff at QPAC for their dedication and commitment. Looking ahead, I know there are many opportunities for QPAC, the Cultural Precinct and South Bank to collaborate and grow. I look forward to seeing what is in store for QPAC in 2016 and beyond.
Annastacia Palaszczuk MP Premier and Minister for the Arts
Photographer Emily Clasby
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Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) is one of Australia’s leading centres for live performance. Welcoming 1.4 million visitors to around 1250 performances each year, we embrace the best in live performance – the world renowned alongside the emerging, local and new – and connect to the stories and ideas at the heart of each production. Through the warmth and expertise of our staff, we have become a trusted curator, presenter and host; a place to come together to relax, reflect, share stories and celebrate. QPAC is located in the vibrant cultural and educational precinct at South Bank that encompasses the Cultural Precinct (QPAC, Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art, Queensland Museum and State Library of Queensland) as well as Griffith University, Queensland University of Technology, Opera Queensland, Queensland Symphony Orchestra, Queensland Theatre Company, Merivale Street Studio, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation and Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre. This precinct is unique in Australia in size and character. At the heart of QPAC’s activities is the aim to cultivate excellence in cultural thinking, planning and delivery and help build the success of art in Queensland. QPAC strives to be a place that is readily accessible, filled with people learning, exploring and having fun. Our Venues QPAC has four theatres suitable for a range of performance styles: Lyric Theatre (2000 seats) is designed primarily for opera, ballet and large-scale theatre events such as musicals; Concert Hall (1600 seats) is a versatile space, designed primarily for orchestra performances and also used for contemporary music, stand-up comedy and presentations; Playhouse (850 seats) is primarily designed for theatre and dance; and Cremorne Theatre (312 seats) is an intimate and versatile black box theatre space.
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QPAC’s vision is for a world where the performing arts matter to everyone
Photographer Amanda Davenport
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2015 marked 30 years since QPAC was officially opened to the public by His Royal Highness the Duke of Kent on 20 April 1985. 2015 has been more than a celebration of the opening of our theatres. Throughout the year we have acknowledged the importance of our partnerships, our place in the Brisbane Cultural Precinct and the performing arts industry globally; we have also achieved many significant milestones and laid important foundations for our future. Over the last 30 years QPAC has formed many partnerships that have truly established the performing arts in Queensland. We are part of a larger artistic community and we work with people and organisations across many sectors to produce experiences and outcomes for our audiences. The 30th anniversary year program of events celebrated such partnerships
QPAC Official Opening, 20 April 1985
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and featured dedicated seasons with Queensland Ballet, Opera Queensland, Queensland Symphony Orchestra and Queensland Theatre Company, Southern Cross Soloists, Expressions Dance Company, shake & stir theatre co, Harvest Rain, Camerata of St John’s and Aboriginal Centre for Performing Arts (ACPA). As a leading performing arts venue we have grown our capacity to attract some of the world’s best artists and performances to Queensland. In 2015 we welcomed David Lynch in Conversation, The Sixteen, the inaugural Brisbane Baroque festival, Women of the World Festival, Brisbane Festival, Renée Fleming, The Gallipoli Symphony, Fluff and La Soirée; all whose artists or performances have made an impact to the arts scene globally. Many of these events involved working with our precinct here at South Bank. The vision of an arts hub for Brisbane
by the state government and architect Robin Gibson all those years ago is certainly paying dividends in the artistic vibrancy of Brisbane and attracting cultural tourism to our state. It was therefore also fitting to see our structures selected for heritage listing in our anniversary year. By the end of June 2015 QPAC reached a record annual attendance of 1.4 million, five major musical theatre productions hit the stage in 2015 (The Lion King, WICKED, Anything Goes, Strictly Ballroom and Les Misérables) and the Centre’s Facebook page clicked over 100,000 fans. Looking forward we take from our past experiences and know that what we see in the way our audiences interact with our Centre and live performance today will be very different in another 30 years. At QPAC we are excited and driven by this.
“The object of the Queensland Performing Arts Trust Act is for QPAC to be a centre that contributes to the social, cultural and intellectual development of Queenslanders. And this is as relevant now as it was 30 years ago.� Annastacia Palaszczuk MP, Premier and Minister for the Arts
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A broad relevant program that offers high quality artistic experiences 8
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QPAC presents around 1250 performances each year, or around three performances a day. Curating this program relies on domain knowledge, discipline, research and leadership. It is a multidimensional process of exchange between audiences, stakeholders, communities and experts. Every performance is unique, singular to that one moment in time – creating moments that matter for our audience is our goal every time the curtain is raised.
Photographer Darren Thomas
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QPAC is a destination for families and young people over the holiday period
QPAC’s annual program encompasses a diversity of live performance experiences that span multiple art forms and are created for a wide range of audiences. In January, our program focuses on young audiences and families and groups seeking cultural activity and entertainment during the holiday period. As well as the theatre program for January 2015 which included the world premiere of The Illusionists 1903, Erth’s Dinosaur Zoo (for which the Cremorne Theatre was transformed into a prehistoric grotto) and The Lion King, QPAC created an outdoor adventure space for children and families with Cubbyland.
The Illusionists 1903 was a co-production between QPAC and Producers Simon Painter and Tim Lawson Photographer Dylan Evans
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From the exclusive QPAC International Series through to touring companies and artists, QPAC’s international program links Brisbane to the world’s greatest stages. There is a growing desire from Australian audiences to experience the preeminent artists of our time in all areas of live performance including drama, contemporary dance and music in all its forms. QPAC is recognised internationally as a performing arts centre with outstanding facilities and highly skilled staff. Our expertise combined with the enthusiasm of our audiences makes Brisbane a sought after part of artists’ tour schedules from around the world. QPAC presented a one night concert from Italian composer and performer Ludovico Einaudi. Many of the audience in this sold out performance were attending QPAC for the first time, and were enthusiastic in their praise of Einaudi.
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The best artists from Australia and the world to our stages Ludovico Einaudi. Photographer Darren Thomas
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QPAC collaborates with our neighbours in the Cultural Precinct and South Bank to contribute to Brisbane being an exciting place to visit and attractive place to live
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QPAC is situated within Brisbane’s Cultural Precinct and is part of a broader arts and educational precinct at South Bank. The co-location of so many institutions is unique in Australia and while each organisation has its own objectives and outputs, there is a common purpose for all to enrich the lives of Queenslanders through arts, culture, education and entertainment.
QPAC and Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art collaborated to present film maker David Lynch in Conversation at QPAC with David Stratton during QAGOMA’s David Lynch Retrospective exhibition. The Conversation was sold out within hours of going on sale and broadened audience’s interactions with the exhibition. Precinct images courtesy of Brisbane Marketing
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More than what you see on stage QPAC creates multidimensional experiences – what you see on stage is part of a broader experience curated to enhance your visit to QPAC. We are constantly seeking ways to expand the reach and increase the immediacy of conversations with audiences through social media and streaming. These new and emerging technologies have, and will continue to dramatically impact the way we experience live performance. QPAC is utilising the digital environment to amplify the reach of our onsite programs, support audience dialogue and deliver content. In 2015, QPAC was the first Australian performing arts centre invited to be a part of the Google Cultural Institute. The Institute is an online resource dedicated to making the world’s arts collections and centres accessible and open. Three decades after opening we have an increased focus the way our spaces impact on audience experience. Throughout 2015 we refreshed the look and feel of foyers and public spaces around the building with a view to enhancing the QPAC experience.
Photographer Mindi Cooke
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QPAC is part of an active and exciting arts industry in Australia
QPAC works with artists, performers and companies locally, from Australia and internationally to present and produce exceptional arts experiences. During our 30th anniversary year, we partnered with many organisations to co-present works celebrating the strength and diversity of the arts sector in Australia.
In April QPAC was an associate presenter of the inaugural Brisbane Baroque Festival. Faramondo. Photographer Darren Thomas
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Transporting audiences to another time or place is part of the magic of live performance Over recent years QPAC has pushed the boundaries of our spaces to create new environments that welcome audiences into a time and place that reflects the performance they have come to witness. From creating a musical stage with proscenium arch in the Concert Hall, a circus ring in the Lyric Theatre, a pop up theatre on our staircases to a theatre in the round on the Playhouse stage, QPAC has taken audiences to a new place with a lot of backstage ingenuity and a little bit of old fashioned theatre magic. All of this promotes the flexibility of QPAC’s multi-functional spaces and enables the Centre to welcome new styles of performance.
In May, the Playhouse stage was transformed into an intimate salon-style circus space, with the audience seated entirely on stage in a variety of ‘posh’, ringside and stalls seating surrounding the action. Photographer Prudence Lipton
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What’s your QPAC memory? To celebrate QPAC’s 30th anniversary the ABC612 Morning show dedicated its entire 2.5 hour show to QPAC on 10 June. Broadcasting live from the very heart of the building – QPAC’s Green Room – the program focussed on the people that work at the Centre: those who help make the organisation a success. 12 interviews were conducted with staff from wardrobe, production, patron services, publicity, ticketing and stage door. Listeners were encouraged to phone / text / tweet their memories of QPAC over three decades during the live broadcast.
QPAC encourages our visitors to share their QPAC experience via social media. Highlights from 2015:
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“We want to be a centre that is an open, accessible, relevant public space. A centre of change and energy, where people’s experience of live performance stays with them long after they have left and ultimately makes a difference to our communities.” QPAC Chief Executive John Kotzas
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Photographer Emily Clasby
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QPAC is a place dedicated to the experience of live performance. Our building, the experiences we create and our connectedness to communities are all part of what makes us a great place. Over our 30 year history QPAC’s stepped roofline has become a recognisable part of the Brisbane skyline. Underneath that iconic silhouette, our theatres, spaces and facilities enable us to collaborate with and present the world’s best artists as well as the emerging and the new. 30th Anniversary Exhibition
Front Yard Music
From 24 March until 26 September 2015 QPAC opened an exhibition in its Tony Gould Gallery to give audiences a rare glimpse into the vibrant history of QPAC and also Brisbane’s South Bank as a cultural destination.
QPAC’s ‘Front Yard’ on the Melbourne Street Green showcased an eclectic mix of country, world and contemporary live music every Friday night from 19 June, featuring local artists including selected SEED artists, as part of the QPAC and Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University (QCGU) partnership,
Public Day of Celebration On Sunday 19 April 2015 QPAC hosted a public celebration day for its 30th anniversary, weaving together the things that make QPAC great; artists, audiences and live performance. The day featured an official address by Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, back stage tours and free live performances on the Melbourne Street Green and in the Cascade Court. Artist Gus Eagleton, renowned for urban street art, was also commissioned to create a unique large scale installation inspired by the building and QPAC’s role as one of the city’s key public spaces as the day unfolded. Lunchtime Live QPAC’s Lunchtime Live, transformed Brisbane’s Friday lunch hour from 24 April to 13 November 2015, with bite sized 30 minutes of free entertainment. The initiative welcomed all people to QPAC to experience a new vibrancy across their performing arts centre. Each week a different genre was presented throughout QPAC’s unique spaces inside and out.
30 for 30 QPAC has many very loyal patrons who have visited the Centre frequently since the day it opened but as the Centre planned for its future in 2015 it was an opportunity for us to invite the next generation of patrons to participate and reap the rewards of live performance; and start their relationship with QPAC perhaps for the next 30 years. A special offer to encourage younger audiences to participate in the arts was made available from early 2015 with every major performance season at QPAC there were 30 tickets for $30 for people aged 30 and under. Storytelling Since its official opening in 1985, QPAC has established a sense of place within Brisbane’s vibrant Cultural Precinct, both as a physical building and within the hearts and minds of Queenslanders. In 2015 the people of Queensland were invited to share their fond memories, cherished memorabilia, photos, news clippings and videos from their experiences at QPAC with the #myQPACstory on Twitter or Instagram. The items were then displayed on QPAC’s website.
Sunday performs at Front Yard Music in July 2015
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Celebrating 30 years of collaborating with our local industry 57% of our programming is local. In 2015, QPAC co-presented outstanding works with local companies.
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CAMERATA OF ST JOHN’S
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Opportunities to learn about and through the performing arts are indispensable in building strong individuals and societies
Arts participation has individual, interpersonal and community benefits that have immediate impacts and ones that accumulate over time. Through a range of programs and activity delivered onsite and online throughout the year, QPAC supports our audiences in making meaning from their experiences and promoting arts literacy. Professor Judith McLean, Chair in Arts Education (QUT/ QPAC) and QPAC’s Scholar in Residence led a team of artists, educators and psychologists to deliver a two day Women in Leadership program as part of the Learn by Living Series created by QUT and QPAC. In 2015 our fortnightly Watercooler Chats have been broadcast via Periscope and tweeted with #QPACchat. In addition, QPAC’s biannual Story magazine brings together writers and artists to delve deeper into the ideas on stage and behind the scenes.
Photographer Rebecca Lamoin
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In November, QPAC brought together two of Australia’s most accomplished arts executives in an open conversation about cultural precincts. Michael Lynch CBE AM and Justin Macdonnell chatted with Professor Judith McLean in front of an audience of people from the Cultural Precinct, Government, university and educator sectors, arts industry and interested members of the public. The mindmap adjacent is a visual representation of that discussion. QPAC is demonstrating the importance we place on being an arts centre that promotes the idea of art, storytelling and community.
Photographer Darren Thomas
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Cultural exchanges between visiting and local artists expands horizons and opens us to new possibilities
The QPAC experience extends beyond the performance on stage. Where possible, QPAC expands the experience out from the stage into other aspects of the Centre. In July, QPAC hosted Italian chamber music group I Musici. As well as a superb one night concert, an Italian feast was presented during Good Food Month in the Lyrebird Restaurant. Taking inspiration from I Musici’s version of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, the Lyrebird prepared a menu to showcase seasonal food. The pairing of experiences – food and music – was part of QPAC’s food as culture initiative. For the musicians their experience was expanded by their exchange with local chamber music group Camerata of St John’s as well as a private masterclass for QPAC staff. These interactions between visiting and local arts practitioners are important in sharing knowledge and expanding the others horizons.
Photographer Darren Thomas
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QPAC is situated on the land traditionally known as Kurilpa. Kurilpa has long been a place of culture and a meeting ground for cultural exchange The Queensland Performing Arts Trust Act 1977 calls on QPAC to affirm respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures. QPAC has a strong commitment to supporting, developing and showcasing programs, performances and discussions that uphold this affirmation. In August, QPAC’s program focussed on the cultures, art, history and contemporary challenges of First Nations Peoples. A sold out concert by Gurrumul was heralded as ‘magical’, Bangarra Dance Theatre returned to the Playhouse with their production Lore, QPAC and Queensland Theatre Company co-produced Country Song in the Cremorne Theatre, and the biennial Mabo Oration was delivered by Dr Dawn Casey. QPAC’s festival celebrating First Nations arts and culture – Clancestry – took place in November and December 2015.
Photographer Darren Thomas
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“Her invitation to the audience to sing along to I Could Have Danced All Night resonated so well it ended with an encore”
The Australian
Renée Fleming is one of the world’s leading opera singers. She has performed on the most famous stages around the world and sung the leading roles in numerous operas. In 2015, she made her second appearance at QPAC. The concert was a highlight on QPAC’s 30th anniversary calendar. Receiving high praise from critics around Australia it was perhaps Renée’s encore of I Could Have Danced All Night (from My Fair Lady Lady) in which she invited the audience to sing along that truly stole the show. This invitation drew an impressive response from the many singers in the full house including Lisa Gasteen and approximately fifty voice students from the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University. Following the concert Renée commented on QPAC being a ‘fantastic venue’. QPAC’s facilities are increasingly recognised worldwide as being of a high standard.
Known as the ‘People’s Diva’, in 2014 Fleming was the first opera singer to perform the Star Spangled Banner at the Super Bowl, and was selected to perform on the balcony of Buckingham Palace for the Queensland Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Concert in 2012. After more than a decade Fleming returned to QPAC in September 2015 to a fully sold Concert Hall. Photographer Timothy White
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Sustainability means building ďŹ nancial and organisational resources that promote agility, vitality and responsiveness While celebrating QPAC’s 30th anniversary we also looked forward to the coming decade. Our ambition is to be equipped for real innovation, able to engage the new, invest in learning and be comfortable with complexity and difference. A sustainable organisation is also one that is vital...one that delivers on its mission, creates public value, is resourced to adapt and change...an organisation that reinvests in itself. This year our commercial services continued to perform strongly, QPAC launched a new membership program and a new partnership and philanthropic strategy.
Natalie Weir’s 7 Deadly Sins L-R Elise May, Jack Ziesing, Benjamin Chapman, Rebecca Hall, Cloudia Elder. Photographer Chris Herzfeld
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QPAC is a Brisbane icon Open House is an annual national event that encourages people to explore and discover the buildings in their cities that they see and pass by every day. For QPAC this means providing a glimpse into the inner workings of the Centre. The day involves a number of performances in public spaces and a very successful series of guided backstage tours. Combined with this year’s Brisbane Open House day was the launch of Arts Queensland’s Culturalist app designed to provide user generated tours and experiences of the Cultural Precinct to its users. Both initiatives are successful in their broad appeal to many people who may not see performances or events at QPAC but are interested in the space as an iconic Brisbane institution.
Photographer Emily Clasby
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Queensland has great stories to tell The performing arts are collaborative by nature. Over QPAC’s 30 year history, the Centre has worked with countless artists and companies to produce and present exceptional live performance experiences. In November, a world premiere new musical theatre work – Ladies in Black – produced by Queensland Theatre Company opened in the Playhouse. New works helps to tell our stories and create new pathways and legacies for future generations.
Ladies in Black was presented by Queensland Theatre Company in association with QPAC. Photographer Rob Maccoll
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QPAC celebrates many cultures
QPAC fulfils many roles – as a venue, a producer, an investor, a presenter and a public place. QPAC is positioned on land traditionally used as a meeting and cultural place. That the land continues to be used for this purpose is significant. QPAC is a place for people to gather, to bring and tell their stories, experience and create art. Through community led programs such as Clancestry, A Celebration of Country Country, QPAC dedicates the Centre and its resources to showcasing the arts and cultural practices of First Nations Peoples with a focus on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture.
Photographer Darren Thomas
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1992 – Inaugural Out of the Box festival for children aged 8 and under 1996 – Brisbane Dance Gala 1991
1991 – Les Misérables (returned in 2015)
Dancing on the Walls of Paris (commissioned by QPAC and working with local artists)
1996 – Phantom of the Opera (longest running season at QPAC)
1989 – Israel Philharmonic Orchestra 1988 – World Expo on Stage
1987 – Inaugural season of Concert Hall Organ
1986 – Victoria de los Angeles
1985 – First performance of Spirit of Christmas with QSO 1985 – Opening 48
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Highlights from
1998 – Playhouse opening 2001 – Queensland Sings: A Centenary Celebration 2001 – Cloudstreet
2004 – The Odyssey (with company in residence Zen Zen Zo)
2002 – Renee Fleming (returned in 2015) 2006 – Dame Kiri Te Kanawa in recital
2009 – Paris Opera Ballet
2011 – Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra (first live simulcast)
2011 – Mary Poppins
2012 – QPAC International Series – Hamburg
QPAC’s 30 years For more, visit celebrating30qpac.com.au
2013 – QPAC International Series – Bolshoi Ballet
2013 – Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra
2013 – Clancestry
2014 – QPAC International Series – American Ballet Theatre
2014 – The Lion King (biggest selling show at QPAC to date) 2015 – Celebrating 30
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JANUARY LYRIC THEATRE 1 – 25 January The Lion King Disney
CONCERT HALL 4 – 11 January The Illusionists 1903
QPAC in association with Tim Lawson and Simon Painter
11 – 25 January THRILLER LIVE
Ambassador Theatre
30 – 31 January Horrible Histories Barmy Britain
QPAC and AKA by arrangement with The Birmingham Stage Company
PLAYHOUSE 2 – 11 January Giggle and Hoot and Friends QPAC
14 – 17 January The Sleeping Beauty Ballet Theatre of Queensland
24 – 31 January Boston Marriage
Queensland Theatre Company
CREMORNE THEATRE 3 – 18 January Erth’s Dinosaur Zoo QPAC
MELBOURNE STREET GREEN 24 – 25 January Australia Day Barbie on the Green Department of the Premier and Cabinet
FEBRUARY LYRIC THEATRE 11 – 28 February WICKED! Wicked Australia / The Gordon Frost Organisation
CONCERT HALL 1 February Horrible Histories Barmy Britain
QPAC and AKA by arrangement with The Birmingham Stage Company
3 – 4 February Shen Yun Falun Dafa Association of Australia, QLD Branch Inc.
9 February ACO The Four Seasons
Australian Chamber Orchestra
10 February All Hallows’ School Inaugural Mass All Hallows’ School
11 February Ludovico Einaudi In A Time Lapse QPAC
14 February QSO Gala Opening Ode to Joy Queensland Symphony Orchestra
24 – 28 February Billy Connolly Duet Productions Pty Ltd
PLAYHOUSE 3 – 15 February Boston Marriage Queensland Theatre Company
18 – 28 February Mother and Son Queensland Theatre Company
CREMORNE THEATRE 12 February Guy Pearce and Darren Middleton 123 Agency
24 – 27 February Everybody Loves Lucy QPAC
QPAC VARIOUS 14 February Valentines Busk QPAC
MARCH LYRIC THEATRE 1 – 31 March WICKED! Wicked Australia / The Gordon Frost Organisation
CONCERT HALL 1 March Southern Cross Soloists Concert Bella Espana QPAC and Southern Cross Soloists
3 March Michael Palin
Lateral Marketing and Management
4 March MVA Tafelmusik House of Dreams Musica Viva Australia
5 March QSO Education Concert Song to Symphony Queensland Symphony Orchestra
7 March With Honour We Serve
Queensland Pops Orchestra
8 March QSO Music on Sundays 1 At the Ballet Queensland Symphony Orchestra
8 March The Sixteen Queen of Heaven QPAC
9 March Orquesta Buena Vista Social Club QPAC
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PLAYHOUSE LOUNGE 4 March 2015 Educators Performing Arts Market QPAC
11 March Sinead O’Connor
APRIL
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LYRIC THEATRE 1 – 19 April WICKED!
12 March CMC Awards 2015 Foxtel
Wicked Australia / The Gordon Frost Organisation
13 March QSO Masterworks 1 Fritzsch and Schlomo Mintz
20 April Cosentino
Queensland Symphony Orchestra
14 March QSO Maestro 1 Fritzsch and Schlomo Mintz Queensland Symphony Orchestra
14 March David Lynch In Conversation QPAC and QAGOMA
19 – 22 March Pirates of Penzance Harvest Rain
23 March ACO Reflections on Gallipoli Australian Chamber Orchestra
24 – 27 March Ross Noble A List Entertainment
28 March QYO Masterpiece 1Best of Brass Queensland Youth Orchestra
PLAYHOUSE 1 – 15 March Mother and Son Queensland Theatre Company
19 – 31 March La Sylphide
Live Nation Australasia
CONCERT HALL 2 April QSO Maestro 2 QSO and Mischa Maisky Queensland Symphony Orchestra
9 April Nana Mouskouri Farewell Tour McManus Pty Ltd
11 April Heavenly Handel Brisbane Baroque and QPAC
12 April Max Emanuel Cencic Brisbane Baroque and QPAC
18 April QSO Maestro 3 QSO and Sarah Chang Queensland Symphony Orchestra
19 April The Pink Floyd Experience Spiritworks Pty Ltd
27 – 28 April Noel Fielding Adrian Bohm Presents
30 April The GPS Music Showcase 2015
Queensland Ballet
The Great Public Schools Association of Queensland Inc.
CREMORNE THEATRE 4 March 2015 Educators Performing Arts Market
PLAYHOUSE 11 – 30 April Brisbane
QPAC
Queensland Theatre Company
25 – 26 March Ruby Wax – Sane New World
CREMORNE THEATRE 9 – 15 April Fluff: A Story of Lost Toys
Melbourne International Comedy Festival
LYRIC THEATRE LOUNGE 4 March 2015 Educators Performing Arts Market QPAC
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MELBOURNE STREET GREEN 6, 13, 20 & 27 March Front Yard Music
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30 April The Host
Expressions Dance Company and QPAC
CASCADE COURT QPAC 30th anniversary celebration QPAC
MELBOURNE STREET GREEN 10, 17 & 24 April Front Yard Music QPAC
19 April QPAC 30th anniversary celebration QPAC
24 April Lunchtime Live QPAC
MAY LYRIC THEATRE 7 – 16 May La Traviata
Opera Queensland
15 May Anh Do A-List Entertainment
26 – 31 May Dirty Dancing – The Musical Skyline Theatricals Pty Ltd
CONCERT HALL 2 May Glen Campbell, Johnny Cash and John Denver Tribute Maiorana Marketing Pty Ltd
7 May Noel Fielding Adrian Bohm Presents
8 May Paloma Faith Live Nation Australasia Pty Ltd
11 May Vivaldi Unwired Australian Brandenburg Orchestra
12 May Dreaming Too Loud: An Evening with Geoffrey Robertson QPAC
14 May APIA Good Times 2015 Premier Artists
15 May Lunchtime Live QPAC
16 May Viva Italia Supremo! Queensland Pops Orchestra
17 May Don Juan QPAC
19 May Vivaldi Unwired Australian Brandenburg Orchestra
20 May The Legendary Count Basie Orchestra: 80th Anniversary Concert Tour Spiritworks Pty Ltd
22 May QSO Masterworks 2 QSO, Alondra and Sergio Queensland Symphony Orchestra
23 May QSO Maestro 4 QSO, Alondra and Sergio Queensland Symphony Orchestra
26 May Herbie Hancock and Chick Corea Live Nation Australasia
28 May The Glenn Miller Orchestra ATA Allstar Artists Pty Ltd
29 May The Beatles – 50 Years On Maiorana Marketing Pty Ltd
30 May QYO Masterpiece 2 London Symphony Queensland Youth Orchestra
31 May Symphonic Dances from the West Side – Bernstein meets Carl Orff University of Queensland School of Music
PLAYHOUSE 1 – 2 May Brisbane Queensland Theatre Company
7 – 24 May La Soirée QPAC
28 – 31 May Legends Meerkat Theatricals Pty Ltd
CREMORNE THEATRE 1 – 9 May The Host
Expressions Dance Company and QPAC
16 May Damien Leith: The Parting Glass – An Irish Journey The Harbour Agency
CONCERT HALL MAIN FOYER 1 & 8 May Lunchtime Live QPAC
MELBOURNE STREET GREEN 8, 15, 22 & 29 May Front Yard Music QPAC
PLAYHOUSE GREEN 29 May Lunchtime Live QPAC
JUNE LYRIC THEATRE 3 – 28 June Dirty Dancing – The Musical Skyline Theatricals Pty Ltd
CONCERT HALL 10 June Painted from Memory – the Music of Bacharach and Costello QPAC
12 June Tom Burlinson performs Sinatra at the Sands QPAC
13 June Buddy Holly in Concert
Maiorana Marketing Pty Ltd
14 June QSO Music on Sundays 2 Movie Masterpieces Queensland Symphony Orchestra
19 June QSO Masterworks 3 Demidenko Plays Brahms Queensland Symphony Orchestra
20 June QSO Maestro 5 Demidenko Plays Brahms Queensland Symphony Orchestra
23 – 28 June Through A Glass Onion Duet Productions Pty Ltd
CONCERT HALL MAIN FOYER 12 & 26 June Lunchtime Live QPAC
MELBOURNE STREET GREEN 5 June Lunchtime Live
CREMORNE THEATRE 4 – 31 July Country Song
Queensland Symphony Orchestra
QPAC
PLAYHOUSE STALLS FOYER 22 June LPA Helpmann Awards Nominations Event 2015 QPAC
JULY LYRIC THEATRE 1 – 19 July Dirty Dancing – The Musical Skyline Theatricals Pty Ltd
25 – 31 July Anything Goes
Opera Australia and John Frost
7 – 8 July Mister Maker
PLAYHOUSE 2 – 13 June Legends
Meerkat Theatricals Pty Ltd
25 – 30 June Peter Pan
Queensland Ballet
CREMORNE THEATRE 11 – 20 June Cabaret @ Cremorne QPAC
11 August Tommy Emmanuel
5, 12, 19 & 26 June Front Yard Music
23 June QPAC Choir Showcase Concert 30 Years of Musicals
Southern Cross Soloists and QPAC
Queensland Symphony Orchestra
Opera Queensland in association with QPAC
4 July An Evening with Chris Botti
28 June Southern Cross Soloists Concert 2 French Revelations
Queensland Ballet
9 August QSO Music on Sundays 3 Maestro’s Choice
QPAC
22 June ACO Egarr and the Golden Age
QPAC
PLAYHOUSE 1 – 11 July Peter Pan
The Laughing Samoans
Trimao Pty Ltd
CONCERT HALL 3 July Jimmy Barnes Flesh + Wood Tour 2015
Australian Chamber Orchestra
Queensland Music Festival
8 August The Laughing Samoans Fink About It
23 – 31 July Candide
21 June Women in Voice at WOW Brisbane QPAC
31 July James Morrison with special guests Megan Washington and Marian Petrescu
Premier Artists
QPAC
QPAC
9 – 12 July Ballet Revolucion
Queensland Theatre Company and QPAC
CONCERT HALL MAIN FOYER 10 July Lunchtime Live QPAC
MELBOURNE STREET GREEN 3 July Lunchtime Live QPAC
3, 10, 17, 24 & 31 July Front Yard Music QPAC
PLAYHOUSE LOUNGE 17 July Lunchtime Live QPAC
STUDIO 2 24 July Lunchtime Live QPAC
AUGUST LYRIC THEATRE 1 – 16 August Anything Goes
ATA Allstar Artists Pty Ltd
Opera Australia and John Frost
17 July QSO Maestro 6 QSO, Morrison and Meyer
CONCERT HALL 1 August Mondo Rock with special guests
Queensland Symphony Orchestra
18 July I Musici An Italian Odyssey QPAC
21 – 23 July QUT Graduations
Queensland University of Technology
29 July Unrepresentative Swill
Queensland Music Festival and QPAC
30 July Rubber Soul Revolver Spiritworks Pty Ltd
Zaccaria Concerts and Touring Pty Ltd
2 August Gurrumul The Gospel Songs QPAC
4 August Dylan Moran Off the Hook Adrian Bohm Presents
5 August I Fagiolini
Musica Viva Australia Pty Ltd
6 August Grimethorpe Colliery Band Andrew Kay and Associates
13 August QSO Masterworks 4 QSO and Pinchas Zukerman 14 August Elvis I’ll Remember You
Maiorana Marketing Pty Ltd
15 August QSO Maestro 7 QSO and Pinchas Zukerman Queensland Symphony Orchestra
16 August Dylan Moran Off the Hook Adrian Bohm Presents
17 August ACO Brahms 3
Australian Chamber Orchestra
18 – 20 August Dylan Moran Off the Hook Adrian Bohm Presents
21 August Roy Orbison and The Everly Brothers Maiorana Marketing Pty Ltd
22 August QYO Masterpiece 3 The Firebird Queensland Youth Orchestra
27 August Julia Morris I Don’t Want Your Honest Feedback Live Nation Australasia Pty Ltd
28 August Songs of Hope and Healing QPAC
29 August Come Swing Again Queensland Pops Orchestra
30 August Brisbane Sings 2015 Queensland Show Choir Inc.
PLAYHOUSE 1 August Candide Opera Queensland in association with QPAC
6 – 15 August Lore Bangarra Dance Theatre and QPAC
10 August The Mabo Oration 2015
QPAC and Anti Discrimination Commission Queensland
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21 – 29 August Seven Deadly Sins
10 September Paul Lewis Masterclass
13 September Reading of Gross Indecency
CREMORNE THEATRE 1 – 8 August Country Song
Brisbane Festival
Brisbane Festival
12 September QSO Maestro 8 QSO and Simone Young
16 – 19 September Le Cargo
Queensland Theatre Company and QPAC
Queensland Symphony Orchestra
Brisbane Festival
13 – 29 August Dracula
14 September Toni Braxton
23 – 26 September Beautiful One Day
Expressions Dance Company and QPAC
shake & stir theatre co.
CONCERT HALL MAIN FOYER 14 & 28 August Lunchtime Live QPAC
MELBOURNE STREET GREEN 7 August Lunchtime Live QPAC
7, 14, 21 & 28 August Front Yard Music QPAC
STUDIO 1 21 August Lunchtime Live QPAC
SEPTEMBER LYRIC THEATRE 9 – 30 September Strictly Ballroom Strictly Business
18 September Lunchtime Live QPAC
CONCERT HALL 2 September From Broadway to La Scala Spiritworks Pty Ltd
3 – 4 September Swan Lake Russian Ballet Touring Pty Ltd
5 September Rise for the Oceans – A Celebration of the Sea
Soulfest International Pty Ltd
16 September Frank Sinatra A Celebration: 100th Anniversary Concert
30 September Lah-Lah LIVE in Concert
ATA Allstar Artists Pty Ltd
CONCERT HALL MAIN FOYER 11 September Lunchtime Live
18 September Thum Prints
Brisbane Festival
19 September Symphony For Me Brisbane Festival
22 September Swan Lake Russian Ballet Touring Pty Ltd
25 – 26 September A State of Grace – The Music of Tim and Jeff Buckley Brisbane Festival
PLAYHOUSE 5 – 8 September Coup Fatal Brisbane Festival
11 – 13 September The Importance of Being Earnest Brisbane Festival
15 – 19 September Macbeth
Brisbane Festival and OQ in association with QPAC
23 – 26 September FLEXN
Brisbane Festival and QPAC
25 September Brisbane Festival Conversations Brisbane Festival
29 – 30 September The Gruffalo’s Child
Brisbane Festival and QPAC
QPAC
6 September QSO Music on Sundays 4 Mighty Imperial Russia!
CREMORNE THEATRE 1 – 5 September Dracula
Queensland Symphony Orchestra
7 September Renée Fleming
QPAC and Brisbane Festival in association with Opera Qld
9 September Paul Lewis
Musica Viva Australia
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REVIEW > 2015
Brisbane Festival
shake & stir theatre co.
8 September Made in France Brisbane Festival
9 September Cabinet of Curiosities Brisbane Festival
QPAC
QPAC
MELBOURNE STREET GREEN 4 & 25 September Lunchtime Live QPAC
4 – 26 September Front Yard Music Extended Play QPAC
STUDIO 1 6 September Brisbane Festival Conversations Brisbane Festival
OCTOBER LYRIC THEATRE 1 – 17 October Strictly Ballroom
13 – 16 October Lord of the Dance: Dangerous Games Lunchbox Theatrical Productions Pty Ltd
17 October QSO Maestro 9 QSO and Schlomo Mintz Queensland Symphony Orchestra
18 October Kakadu
University of Queensland School of Music
21 October Dr Hook
Showcase Entertainment Group Ltd
24 October Rockwiz Salutes ARIA Hall of Fame Concert Rockwiz Touring
26 October Riccardo Minasi Italian Baroque Violin Australian Brandenburg Orchestra
27 October St Rita’s College Annual Thanksgiving Celebration 2015 St Rita’s College
28 October Clayfield College Annual Speech Night 2015
CONCERT HALL MAIN FOYER 9, 16 & 23 October Lunchtime Live QPAC
MELBOURNE STREET GREEN 2 October Lunchtime Live QPAC
2, 9, 16, 23 & 30 October Front Yard Music QPAC
NOVEMBER LYRIC THEATRE 10 – 29 November Les Misérables
Cameron Mackintosh Australia Pty Ltd
CONCERT HALL 1 November Voices of Birralee 20th Anniversary Concert Voices of Birralee
3 November Brisbane Boys College Speech Night 2015 Brisbane Boys College
29 October All Hallows’ Night of Celebration 2015
4 November Iona College Junior and Senior School Speech Night 2015
30 October CSTD Dance Extravaganza 2015
5 November John Paul College Speech Night 2015
31 October QYO 2015 Finale Concert
6 November QSO Masterworks 5 QSO Plays Bolero
Clayfield College
All Hallows’ School
Commonwealth Society of Teachers of Dancing
Iona College
John Paul College
Strictly Business
Queensland Youth Orchestra
Queensland Symphony Orchestra
22 – 31 October The Sleeping Beauty
PLAYHOUSE 1 – 3 October The Gruffalo’s Child
Queensland Symphony Orchestra
Queensland Ballet in association with QPAC
CONCERT HALL 1 – 4 October Into the Woods Harvest Rain
QPAC
8 – 10 October You Should Be Dancing Ashgrove Dance Studio
7 October Joan Baez
17 – 31 October The Odd Couple
Maggie Gerrand Presents Pty Ltd
Queensland Theatre Company
9 October Absolutely Everybody Loves Broadway
CREMORNE THEATRE 1 -2 October Lah-Lah LIVE in Concert
School of Hard Knocks Ltd
10 October Celtic Celebration
Queensland Pops Orchestra
11 October Shatner’s World Spiritworks Pty Ltd
12 October ACO Mozart’s Last Symphonies Australian Chamber Orchestra
QPAC
6 – 17 October Thank You For Being A Friend Matthew Management
7 November QSO Maestro 10 QSO Plays Bolero 11 November Brendan Grace – An Audience With His Grace Concert Events Ltd
15 November QSO Music on Sundays 5 Miracles and Magic Queensland Symphony Orchestra
16 November St Aidan’s AGC Annual Awards Ceremony 2015 St Aidan’s Anglican Girls School
17 November St Margaret’s Speech Night 2015 St Margaret’s Anglican Girls School
18 November Brisbane Grammar School Speech Day 2015 Brisbane Grammar School
19 November Somerville House Speech Night 2015 Somerville House
21 November QSO Maestro 11 Messiah
Queensland Symphony Orchestra
22 November Southern Cross Soloists Concert 3 Great Legends Southern Cross Soloists and QPAC
24 November The Gallipoli Symphony Definitive Events Pty Ltd
25 November ACO Basel Chamber Orchestra
DECEMBER LYRIC THEATRE 1 – 31 December Les Misérables
Cameron Mackintosh Australia Pty Ltd
CONCERT HALL 1 December Chris Cornell Live Nation Australasia Pty Ltd
Australian Chamber Orchestra
5 December Kitty Flanagan
28 November QSO Season Finale QSO and Maxim Vengerov
6 – 11 December QUT Graduations
Queensland Symphony Orchestra
30 November Chris Cornell
Live Nation Australasia Pty Ltd
PLAYHOUSE 1 – 8 November The Odd Couple
Queensland Theatre Company
16 – 29 November Ladies in Black
Queensland Theatre Company in association with QPAC
23 November Cultural Precinct Conversation: Justin Macdonnell in conversation with Michael Lynch QPAC
CREMORNE THEATRE 5 – 7 November Knock Knock
Aboriginal Centre for the Performing Arts and QPAC
16 – 18 November Once Were Leaders Wander Productions
CONCERT HALL MAIN FOYER 13 November Lunchtime Live QPAC
MELBOURNE STREET GREEN 6 November Lunchtime Live QPAC
6, 20 & 27 November Front Yard Music QPAC
A-List Entertainment
Queensland University of Technology
13 December Bright Stars Shone For Us Camerata of St John’s
18 – 19 December Spirit of Christmas QPAC
31 December New Year’s Eve Gala
Queensland Pops Orchestra
PLAYHOUSE 1 – 6 December Ladies in Black
Queensland Theatre Company in association with QPAC
10 – 23 December The Nutcracker
4 December Clancestry 2015 Conversation 3: Singin’ Up Sovereignty #SovereigntyX QPAC
4 December Clancestry 2015 Black Screen Film Program
QUEENSLAND PERFORMING ARTS CENTRE PO Box 3567, South Bank, Queensland 4101 T: (07) 3840 7444 W: qpac.com.au
QPAC
5 December Hype Night
Mad Dance House Pty Ltd
12 December Semester 2 Creative Theatre Production 2015 Australian School of Performing Arts, Film and Television
16 – 19 December A Very Kransky Christmas QPAC
MELBOURNE STREET GREEN 5 December Clancestry
Chair Christopher Freeman AM Deputy Chair Rhonda White AO Trust Members Kylie Blucher, Simon Gallaher, Sophie Mitchell, Mick Power AM Executive Staff Chief Executive: John Kotzas
QPAC
Executive Director – Programming: Ross Cunningham
PLAYHOUSE GREEN 4 December Clancestry 2015: Yerabora
Executive Director – Marketing and Communications: Roxanne Hopkins
QPAC
5 December Clancestry 2015: Community Day Concert QPAC
SOUTHBANK PIAZZA 6 December Clancestry 2015: Yawar QPAC
Executive Director – Development: Megan Kair Executive Director – Corporate Services: Kieron Roost Executive Director – Patron Services: Jackie Branch
Queensland Ballet
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
CREMORNE THEATRE 2 December Clancestry 2015 Conversation 1: Intersectionality + Indigeneity: Narratives of Black Australians who are #NotJustBlack
The Queensland Performing Arts Trust is a statutory body of the State of Queensland and is partially funded by the Queensland Government
2 December Clancestry 2015 Black Screen Film Program
The Honourable Annastacia Palaszczuk MP Premier and Minister for the Arts
QPAC
QPAC
3 December Clancestry 2015 Conversation 2: “The Whole World is Watching” The rise of Black Activism and the role of Black Media #Blaktivism
Director-General, Department of the Premier and Cabinet: David Stewart
QPAC
3 December Clancestry 2015 Black Screen Film Program QPAC
FOLLOW US atQPAC
@QPAC
QPACTV
@ATQPAC
Front cover image: QPAC 30th Celebration. Photographer Emily Clasby
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QPAC AT A GLANCE
1243
performances
57%
by
QUEENSLAND COMPANIES
259 seasons
+ featured on Google Cultural Institute
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REVIEW > 2015
1,108,630
venue utilisation
981,418 ... paid attendance 324,922 ... unpaid attendance
93%
ENCOR
regional audiences
E!
6457 43,900 103,953
29% OUR AUDIENCE 0.5%
Overseas
4.7%
100,000 fans on social media
88%
1,306,340 ... total visitation
Australia
AUDIENCE
SATISFACTION
29.3%
Queensland
65.5%
Brisbane
CE AFTERWORD
QPAC is looking ahead to the next 30 years Over the past three decades QPAC has been a hub for creativity and performance; a Centre that promotes excellence and inspires the next generation of Queenslanders to be artists and arts leaders. What you see on stage is just one aspect of the art at play in QPAC each and every day. There are around 700 staff here who keep QPAC alive and active. From the person who greets you at the door and shows you to your seat, to the people who set lights and dress the performers, to our call centre staff and administrative team, we are here to serve our community and to create a place that buzzes with artistic energy. Each day at QPAC we are driven to create a world where the performing arts matters to everyone. When you attend a performance at QPAC you are engaging and participating in making art. You are learning, exploring and sharing your experience; being entertained, uplifted, challenged and changed. You are part of a community that values and supports the arts. Like all communities, ours is one that is diverse, changing and complex; a group of people, who like us, knows that art does matter. This year we celebrated a milestone: our 30th anniversary. At the same time we have been looking ahead and laying the foundations for what the years ahead may entail. There will be challenges and opportunities on the horizon, and like the art we present every day we hope to face the future in a way that builds meaning for us and connects us to the strong and spirited community in which we reside. There are many people that we thank for supporting us and collaborating with us to create art in Queensland. I look forward to working with many people in the coming years and ensuring QPAC remains a vibrant, connected and exciting place. John Kotzas Chief Executive
Photographer Mindi Cooke QPAC.COM.AU
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A world where the performing arts matter to everyone
In April QPAC was an associate presenter of the inaugural Brisbane Baroque Festival. Heavenly Handel. Photographer Darren Thomas
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REVIEW > 2015
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